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Aug 25, 2013

Homemade Flour Tortillas


I have always wanted to make my own flour tortillas, but I thought I needed a tortilla press (the one kitchen gadget I do not own). Then I started looking through Tara's blog, Tara's Multicultural Table, and I came across this "how to" post and recipe about making your own tortillas. No fancy tortilla press needed. All you need is a rolling pin, a food processor, and a hot skillet. What a revelation!


The only changes that I made to Tara's recipe are that I made six inch rather than eight inch tortillas (as a newbie tortilla maker, I wanted to make it easier on myself, plus it gave me some room for error), and I used (gasp!) lard for the fat. A box of it jumped into my cart at the Mexican market the other day, and I needed an excuse to use it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I mean we eat bacon, right?

As serendipity would have it, a colleague gave me some of her stash of roasted Hatch chiles that make a brief appearance this time of year, so I made some Hatch chile quesadillas with these tortillas.


This is is my first time participating in the Secret Recipe Club, and I was assigned Tara's blog Tara's Multicultural Table. Tara is adorable, and her blog has so many fabulous recipes for foods from around the world. I will be visiting her blog often. Thank you Tara for inspiring me to finally make my own tortillas.

Flour Tortilla Recipe


Ingredients

3 C unbleached all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 heaping tsp salt
5 T lard, shortening, unsalted butter, or vegetable oil
3/4 C warm water plus more if needed

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a food processor, using the dough blade, add all of the dry ingredients and pulse a couple of times to evenly distribute.
  2. Add the fat and pulse until crumbly. 
  3. Slowly add the water until the dough just comes together. 
  4. Remove the dough from the food processor and knead by had to create a smooth dough.
  5. Cut the dough into 12 pieces for eight inch tortillas, or into more or less pieces, depending on how brave you are. 
  6. Roll the pieces into balls and cover with plastic wrap and let rest for about 10 minutes to relax the gluten. 
  7. Heat a dry skillet or comal (I used a cast iron skillet) over medium heat and, one at a time, roll out each ball (keeping the others covered) into a very thin round (or amoeba in my case), and cook about 30 seconds per side, until lightly browned. Place in a tortilla warmer or stack on a plate and cover with a towel. 
  8. Continue rolling out and cooking each tortilla until done. 
  9. Serve immediately or wrap with foil or plastic and refrigerate. 
  10. To reheat, microwave two at a time or reheat in a skillet one at a time. 
Enjoy!

Would you like to comment?

  1. How fun! I've never made my own tortillas, but it seems a lot easier than I thought... I'll have to try!

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  2. I have made tortillas and was amazed at how easy they were and how much better they taste! Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

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  3. Nothing beats a homemade tortilla!! Great recipe choice!!

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  4. I love making corn tortillas but have never gotten around to flour ones - great choice for SRC!

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  5. I loved making flatbreads at school this year - such simple ingredients produce fantastic results! Also, think people should cut lard some slack... http://www.joepastry.com/2012/lard-vs-butter/

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  6. I've always been intrigued by making my own flatbread, and this looks like a great place to start. Your quesadillas look amazing!

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  7. I had the same idea as you about needing a tortilla press. And now I have no idea why I haven´t made homemade tortillas yet! Look wonderful Karen!

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  8. Your tortillas look perfect and I couldn't take my eyes off your quesadillas. SO cheesy and delicious all tucked in to your homemade tortillas. Nice job and what a great first post for #SRC. Welcome!
    Renee - Kudos Kitchen

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  9. I've been wanting to make homemade tortillas for years and STILL haven't gotten around to it. I'm not even sure why, because most everyone says they are so easy to make. Yours look incredible!

    Great first post for reveal day - and another welcome to Group D!

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  10. FABULOUS 1st post for Group D reveal day and some LOVELY photos too! Welcome! Karen (Lavender and Lovage)

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  11. I've never given homemade tortillas a try - but these sure look like a WONDERFUL way to serve up some tacos or quesadillas. Yum!!!

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  12. I made flour tortillas only once, should definitely do them again, they are soooo much better than store-bought!

    great pick for your Reveal Day! Hope you are enjoying the collection of recipes this week!

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  13. Welcome to the club. THese look yummy! I've always wanted to make tortillas too but never have.

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  14. Welcome to the club! These look amazing. I've always wanted to try to make my own but haven't gotten around to it. Great SRC pick!

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  15. So glad you enjoyed them!! After making these, I have never turned back to store bought. Gorgeous photos and this was my first month in SRC too!

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  16. Welcome to the club! Happy Reveal Day!

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  17. I love making tortillas! Very fun to do with the grandkids too :-) And welcome to the SRC!! This is my first time with them too :-)

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  18. Welcome to the club! Homemade tortillas are always the best, and they are so easy too! Great pick for your first month :)

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  19. I have wanted to try making these myself, yours look great.

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  20. I've always wanted to make homemade tortillas, and these look awesome! Those quesadillas are making my stomach growl!

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  21. These sound fantastic! Our first attempt with rolling pin tortillas didn't turn out so hot. But I think you've inspired me to try again!

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  22. Welcome to SRC Karen! I've always wanted to make my own tortillas too and this sounds way easier than I thought! Great choice!

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  23. Tortillas are always better homemade!

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  24. Congrats on taking the steps to make real flour tortillas!! Since you mention that you added Lard and that you purchased it at the Mexican store, next time you go there see if the have "Manteca" (Lard in Spanish) but not the one in the box, the one that is tan in a plastic deli container. This is the real deal and it gives everything a wonderful taste (kind of a almost bacony taste). It is also a must for tamales, but that's another show. If more people took the time to investigate Mexican recipes (Well almost any recipe) they would discover that with practice and patience you can make AUTHENTIC Mexican food anywhere in the world. I know because I'm a retired military wife and have cooked Mexican food all over the world!

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    1. Wow, thank you for the advice! I also want to try tamales too someday. I have access to some great Mexican markets here in California so I will definitely look for that manteca.

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  25. I love homemade tortillas and love that you made them into hatch chile quesadillas = YUM! What a great choice for the SRC!

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  26. Welcome to SRC! I put of making tortillas at home too and when I finally did I realized that not only was it easy but it tasted so much better than store bought. Plus I know exactly what goes into them too. I substitute half the flour with whole wheat and they turn out great! Great SRC pick!

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  27. Welcome to SRC and what a great first SRC post. Homemade tortillas look great - I'll have to give them a go one day.

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