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Homemade Flour Tortillas


I had been told that tortillas were easy to make and now I know that they are. Fresh flour tortillas really taste better than store bought. These can be made in a cast iron or a nonstick frying pan. I used my trusty old cast iron frying pan and the tortillas turned out great.

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
  • 2/3 cup hot water
Method:
  1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Cut in shortening until crumbly.
  3. Pour in hot water, a little at a time, mixing with a fork until dough comes together.
  4. Place dough on lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes until smooth.
  5. Cover and let rest 45 minutes.
  6. Divide dough into 8 pieces and roll each piece into a ball, cover balls with plastic wrap. 
  7. With a rolling pin, roll each ball into a 6 to 7 inch circle, don't worry they don't have to be perfect circles. Cook one tortilla while you roll out the next one. 
  8. Preheat your pan on medium heat. Do not add oil.
  9. Place tortilla in hot pan and cook until small bubbles appear before flipping to the other side, cook approximately one minute on each side.   
  10. Stack cooked tortillas and cover with a tea towel till all are cooked.
  11. Now they are ready for your favorite recipe.  Can be frozen for future use.

30 comments:

  1. Those look great Betty!! I must get my old cast iron pan out again (might need a good seasoning first). Thanks for the recipe.

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  2. Betty, I love how these look "bought" but are homemade. A paradox... I know.
    I am very curious how they turn out and will have to try them.

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  3. what are you referring to when you say "vegetable shortening"?

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    Replies
    1. I thinbk she means something like crisco solid shortening.

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    2. Lorrie, I used Crisco vegetable shortening.

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  4. I love making tortillas and my kids love them. I find the longer you leave them sit, I make mine at noon and cook them at 6, they are even better than just letting them sit for 45 min.

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  5. I am so glad to know I can freeze them. It's just me and my husband most nights. So there are plenty left over.

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  6. Yum! Is there anything you can't make? (It's ok I already know the answer to that *wink* -NO)

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  7. Any chance there is a corn tortilla recipe in the works?!

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    1. check out http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/2008/08/tacos.html
      I make these, using up to 3/4 cup cornmeal. I've never done step two, although that would probably add to the taste buds. I just cook them and stack them for soft tacos.

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  8. Hi I live in Australia and we can't get Crisco shortening. Is there anything else I could use instead?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous in Australia..I have been thinking that next time I want to try using oil instead of shortening. Maybe others have used oil or a different substitution for shortening..anyone?

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    2. I have made them using whole wheat and vegetable oil. They weren't as flexible as the tortillas I buy in the store, but they were tasty (and healthier).

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    3. I'm in Peru without vegetable shortening as well. I'm going to use butter this afternoon and I'll report back! Did you find anything to use? I found this link, which might help - http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/substitutes-for-shortening.html#b

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    4. Sure you can use what was originally used... LARD OR LARD IF YOU DONT HAVE THAT TRY LARD. Trust me it will be 10x's better

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  9. I am anxious to make these tortillas!! Thank you for sharing.

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  10. Great recipe! Will use for my wrap sandwiches!

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  11. Finally a tortilla recipe that looks easy and I can not wait to try. I like to make as many things home made as I can!! Thank you for this.

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  12. They look great! I have been making flour tortillas since my mom taught me when I was fourteen years old. I am now 55 years old. I only have one question. Why do people cover their dough with plastic wrap? My mom showed me that when you make the balls you don't cover them because the air drys them, making them so much easier to roll out. Just curious! You ladies did a great job, keep up the good work.

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    Replies
    1. And here I thought they were not supposed to dry out..it's good to learn new things. Next time I will not cover the dough and see how it goes. Thank you Olga!

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  13. I don't use shortening; could butter be substituted? I'd love to try these.

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    1. Some have said that they have used butter or oil and that it worked well. If you try them using butter can you let us know how they turned out?

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    2. I made these with butter instead of shortening and used my food processor. I also replaced about 2/3 cup of the flour with whole wheat flour. They were delicious! I made tacos for dinner and my husband liked them, but he isn't too keen on the whole wheat, so he'd like them better if I made them with unbleached flour. I will surely be making these anytime I want tortillas. Next time I may try using coconut oil. No more store bought for me! Thanks!

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    3. Thank you Pat for letting us know how they worked with butter. I will try them with coconut oil next time.

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    4. I have made these using all whole wheat flour, unbleached flour, or a combination. I have also used coconut oil,olive oil, or lard (we rendered ourselves),at different times, or a combination of coconut oil and lard,and they almost always turn out. It is wonderful to see that butter also works! :) The thinner you roll them, the better.

      I really enjoy all the recipes you all do and share. Thanks a bunch!
      Carie D.

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  14. Printing question... How can I reduce the size of the lead photo so the recipe all fits on one sheet of paper? I understand how to reduce the size of the font, but not the photos. I like to keep your recipes back to back in a page protector so when I cook I don't ruin the paper. Thanks for all you do! I love our recipes!!

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    Replies
    1. Darla, I don't know how to reduce the size of the photo or if that is possible, but if you remove the photos the recipe will fit on 1 sheet of paper.
      Thank you for letting us know that you like our recipes!

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  15. I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease so I was wondering if you or anyone knew if I could use 2 cups of Gluten-free all-purpose or GF flour blend in place of the traditional flour. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

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    Replies
    1. I'm sorry that you had to join our 'club' ... but there is so much more help out there than there used to be. I have a gluten-free torillas recipe in our first cook book and also on this blog here.. http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/2008/09/quesadillas-gluten-free.html
      I make it a lot - its my celiac granddaughter's first choice if I ask her what I can make for her ! Hope you like it ! julie

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