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4.5 from 6 votes

Flour Tortilla

A flour tortilla or tortilla de harina is a thin flat bread from Mexico which is used in recipes such as burritos or tacos.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 8 tortillas
Course: Bread
Cuisine: South American , Mexican , Vegan

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups all purpose flour (plus extra to form tortillas)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup shortening (or lard)
  • 1 cup hot water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl, place the flour, salt and mix.
  2. With the help of a fork, pastry blender or your hands, incorporate the shortening (or lard) until it resembles coarse meal.
  3. Slowly add the hot water a little at a time until the dough holds together. Do not add all the water at once. You might need a little more or less water depending on the flour and the climate.
  4. Turn dough onto a work surface, and knead for a couple of minutes until it is smooth.
  5. Divide the dough in 8 pieces.
  6. Roll every piece on your work surface with the palm of your hand to form a little disc. Those discs are called testales.
  7. Cover the testales with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let the dough rest for 30 to 45 minutes.
  8. After the resting period, place an ungreased griddle (or comal) over medium heat. You can also use a non-stick pan.
  9. With a rolling pin, form the tortillas on a lightly floured surface.
  10. To form the tortillas, place the testal onto the working surface and press slightly with your hand.
  11. Then, set the rolling pin at the center of the testal.
  12. and press forward without making it to the edge and then press backwards towards yourself stopping before the edge.
  13. Turn the tortilla 90 degrees (like a quarter turn) and repeat pressing forward and then towards you.
  14. Flip the tortilla and repeat the same process until you have a thin disk of about 10 to 12 inches (25-30cm).
  15. Now, place the tortilla on the hot griddle.
  16. Bake 20 to 30 seconds on one side.
  17. Turn the tortilla, and bake for 20 to 30 seconds.
  18. Turn again and heat for about 10 seconds. Remove the tortilla and wrap with a kitchen towel or place in a tortilla warmer.
  19. Repeat the steps with the remaining testales.