Flour Tortillas - A Recipe

Most of you know I'm always on the hunt for making the kinds of food you always assume just can't be done.  A while ago I knew I had to try making my own flour tortillas after I actually looked at the ingredients listing on a package I bought.  What I didn't expect was just how much better homemade tortillas really are.  There's no comparison and every time I feel as though they are just too much work to make I remember how good they really are and it's always worth it.

Tortillas aren't hard to make at all, just time consuming.  You've got to make the dough, then seperate it into balls, roll those out nice and flat and somewhat round, then fry them.  It just takes time so taco night has gone from being one of those last minute throw together meals to something I actually have to plan ahead.

I've also started making my own taco spice.  Have you done that? So easy, so quick, and so much cheaper than buying taco mix from the grocery store.  Then there is also the bonus of you knowing exactly what is in your tacos.

In case I've actually now convinced you to give making your own tortillas a try, here's my recipe.

Flour Tortillas

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup warm water

Mix together flour and salt in a stand mixer using the dough hook.  Slowly pour in water and oil and knead until a soft dough forms.  Knead with your hands for another couple of minutes then split the dough into 8 equal pieces.  Roll those pieces into balls and place them under plastic wrap.

Heat a cast iron fry pan to medium heat.  Don't add any oil to the pan.  Roll out one ball of dough until you have a thin somewhat round tortilla.  Transfer to the fry pan and cook until one side is just starting to brown and bubble.  Flip it over and cook for another 20 seconds or so, again until that side is just starting to brown and bubble as well.

Transfer the cooked tortilla to a plate lined with a tea towel.  Place another plate, upside down, on top of the tortilla forming a lid.  You don't want the tortillas to get soggy but you do want them to stay moist.

Repeat for the remaining tortillas and fill them up with whatever you want!

*Note: for my family of 6 (5 who actually eat dinner) I double the recipe and have a few tortillas left over for the next day.  The kids love them rolled up with cream cheese or peanut butter.