Homemade tortillas are so much better than store-bought. They are very simple to make at home and don’t require any special bread making skills. And, you cannot beat the fresh flavor!
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), softened*
1 1/3 cups very warm water
METHOD:
Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
Add the softened butter to the mixture, then the very warm water. Mix on medium speed until the dough comes together and forms a ball. Knead the dough for about five minutes.
Turn out the dough onto a floured counter. Knead the dough by hand until it forms a very smooth ball. Place it in a bowl and cover it with a damp towel and allow the dough to rest for 20 – 30 minutes to relax the gluten.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. (Cast iron skillet works best.)
Divide the dough into approximately 20 pieces and roll it into a ball. Flatten the ball into a disk, and on a lightly floured surface, roll out tortillas into 8-inch circles.
Lift the tortilla and place it in the center of the hot pan and cook for about 30 seconds or until little bubbles appear on the surface. Turn the tortilla over and cook another 30 seconds or so, or until the bottom is slightly golden. Place cooked tortillas on a plate and cover them with a towel to keep them warm. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Serve warm or save for later. The tortillas will keep well stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
*You can use other fats, such as shortening, lard, or even coconut oil — but we prefer butter for its exquisite flavor!
YIELD: 20 tortillas
