3.02.2010

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS


Homemade tortillas, fun to make and super easy. I love knowing exactly what is in the food I eat. When I checked on the bag of my store bought tortillas (which I thought were "healthy") I was surprised to find ingredients like: sugar, lard, a few different types of oils, along with of course a few other words I couldn't pronounce...when I see that I know it time for me to find a recipe to make it homemade.

Homemade Flour Tortillas
Adapted from (I think Cooks Illustrated, sorry I lost my source)
Yield = 8 to 9 taco-sized tortillas or 4 to 5 burrito-sized tortillas

2 cups (scant) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup unsalted butter

Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl. Cut the butter into very small pieces and add to the flour mixture.

Using two forks, cut the butter into the flour until it has a mealy texture.
Stir in 2/3 c. warm water with a fork until a shaggy dough forms.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead 3 minutes until smooth, soft and not sticky.
Cut the dough into 8 to 9 small pieces for tacos or 4 to 5 larger pieces for burritos. Roll pieces into a ball.

Cover dough with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rest 30 minutes.

Using a rolling pin, roll out each ball into a thin circle (about 9 to 10 inches for tacos or 11 to 12 inches for burritos.

Heat a 12-inch skillet on medium-high. Place tortilla in the pan and cook for about 30 seconds or until it puffs and just a few golden spots appear on the underside. Flip and cook for another 30 seconds. You don’t want the tortilla to brown or get crisp; you want it to remain soft and pliable.

Now make a quesadilla: shred a handful of your favorite cheeses, melt a little butter in a skillet on medium high. Put the cheese in between 2 tortillas and cook until crisp and golden brown
or
make PULLED PORK TACOS

PRINTABLE RECIPE

6 comments:

  1. Great job! Here I am, 50% Mexican and I have never made my own tortillas. My excuse is that I want a tortilla press; but, now, you've proven that I don't need one. Thanks for the push. Yummy! Love the melted cheese shot.

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  2. Debby, you have to make this recipe. So easy and rewarding. Don't buy a tortilla press you know it will sit in the back of the cupboard with the panini press! Plus it's more fun to have irregular shaped tortillas!

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  3. no..irregular shaped tortillas are not fun...they are annoying. But making your own anything is always better.

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  4. anonymous - If you are looking for perfection, weigh the dough balls before you roll to make sure they are all the same size then roll out into non-irregular shaped tortilla circles so you are not annoyed...best of luck to you. But really if it annoys you that much you should just buy premade from the store.

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  5. Stephanie ZomermaandApril 19, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Tonya - these are so good!!! I made quesadillas, tostadas, tacos, YUM!!! Everytime we eat at Qdoba or other mexican restaurant, Kevin and I are like, where can you buy tortillas like these??? Well these are amazing! Do you think using stick margarine would work? I know it's not as healthy but so much cheaper. Thanks for the great recipe!!

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  6. Thanks Steph! I would think you would have similar results but I am not sure I use butter for everything. Let me know how it turns out!

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