Homemade Flour Tortillas
User Reviews
5
Homemade Flour Tortillas
Description
This recipe for Homemade Flour Tortillas uses primarily all-purpose flour with an optional addition of whole wheat or roasted flour for variation. The fat used is typically lard, but it can be substituted with bacon fat, duck fat, vegetable shortening, or butter. The dough is hydrated with hot water heated to a simmer, which helps develop a soft texture.
After working the lard into the flour mixture to a coarse meal-like consistency, hot water is gradually added and mixed until the dough is just short of sticky. It is then kneaded vigorously for about five minutes to become soft and pliable. The dough is divided and squeezed into small balls about the size of a walnut, making it easier to roll out evenly.
The resulting tortillas are tender with enough flexibility to hold fillings without cracking, suitable for various uses including tacos, burritos, and wraps. Practice is needed to achieve uniform balls of dough for consistent tortillas.
Ingredients
- 225 grams all-purpose flour Sonoran flour or all-purpose flour
- 25 grams whole wheat flour optional, see note below, or roasted flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 40 grams lard or bacon fat, duck fat, vegetable shortening or butter
- 7/8 cup water see below, hot
Instructions
- Mix the two flours and the salt in a bowl. Add the lard and, using your fingers, work it into the flour until you have a texture similar to a coarse meal.
- Meanwhile, heat some water on the stove to a simmer. When it's hot, measure out a scant cup of water, about 7/8 of a cup, and add most of it to the flours. Mix well with a fork at first because it will be too hot to work with your hands. You want to see everything incorporated into a very pliable dough that is just short of being sticky. Sometimes it takes only 3/4 of a cup, sometimes a bit more. Never more than 1 cup of water, though.
- When the dough is cool enough to handle, knead it vigorously for 5 minutes. It should be a soft, pliable dough that is not sticky.
- Now, using your thumb and forefinger, squeeze off a ball of dough about the size of a walnut. Typically this is about 40 to 45 grams. You will eventually get all your balls within a few grams of each other without effort, but it takes practice. Squeezing off the balls keeps the gluten structure intact and makes for a better tortilla. Give each ball a roll to make it a ball and set it in a plastic bag. Do this with all the flour, re-kneading if you must. Set the balls to rest in the bag for 2 hours.
- Heat a comal or flattop to about 450F. Get your tortilla press out. If you don't already have them, you need two thin sheets of plastic to line it. I cut them from produce bags. You don't want thick plastic here. Take a dough ball out of the bag and re-roll it into a ball. Set it in the center of the press, then set the other sheet of plastic on it. Gently press it into a disc, then lever the top of the press down hard. Remove the plastic and set the flattened dough on your hand while you carefully remove the second piece of plastic.
- Carefully lay the tortilla on the comal and let it sit there until you see lots of little bubbles, about 30 to 45 seconds. Flip the tortilla, using a spatula if needed. Let this cook another 30 to 45 seconds, then flip one more time. By now the tortilla should have ballooned up in places. Move each finished tortilla to a tortilla warmer lined with paper towels, or set them in a kitchen towel, covered to steam and stay warm.
Notes
- If you prefer to omit whole wheat or roasted flour, you can simply use all-purpose flour exclusively.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 316 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 316kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 10mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 307mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 83mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Calcium | 8mg | 1% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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