Friday, June 15, 2012

Homemade Flour Tortillas Without Lard


I have lived in Texas for nearly 14 years and never made tortillas from scratch until a couple days ago. It's just so easy to throw a pack of 20 into the cart at the grocery. And I must confess, I grew up in Ohio where the only "Mexican" cuisine to be had was Taco Bell or for a homemade cultural experience, hard shells filled with greasy ground beef seasoned with a mysterious flavor packet from a box (ick). And tor-tee-ya was pronounced tor-till-a. I thought there must be something difficult about making them from scratch. I am a true Texas convert now. The boys and I will only eat homemade from now on. They are easy, though perhaps a little time consuming, and much better than store bought. I think next time I will get the boys involved. It would be a great family activity.

I used the left over broth from boiling the tofu cutlets to cook up a batch of black beans, adding a bit of garlic, cumin, pepper, thyme, and salt to season them. The black beans made a perfect filling for the fresh tortillas. No one complained when we had leftovers the next night. In fact, my oldest son had so many compliments for the chef this momma was beaming.

Put on your apron, pull out the flour, and make up a batch of tor-tee-ya's tonight.

Homemade Tortillas

3 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup hot water

Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder together thoroughly. Add the oil and mix with your hands until the flour mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add hot water and mix until a ball is formed. Cover and let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes. (If leaving overnight, place in refrigerator)

Divide dough into 12 even sized balls and roll out one at a time on a floured surface. Brush off excess flour and cook on a hot, ungreased griddle (I love my cast iron) over medium high heat. Turn the tortilla when brown blisters form. Serve warm.



75 comments:

  1. About how big should I roll them out and are they suppose to bubble up?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it is supposed to bubble. Make as large as you prefer and as large as your pan will accommodate

      Delete
  2. The balls of dough should roll out into about the size of standard store bought tortillas. Yes, they do bubble up. You can kind of see the bubbled spots in the bottom pic.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I made this tonight for my husband and my 4 kids. It was fast, easy, and delicious! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks like a good tecipe, I will use a safflower or sunflower oil instead of canola- canola oil is rapeseed and should never be heated, heated it has been linked to MS.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neither should sunflower or safflower, they are mainly Omega 6. Go for peanut or coconut oils, nut oils are perfect for heating and baking!

      Delete
    2. Checked with Snopes and other reliable sites. Canola is indeed rapeseed oil; however, there is nothing wrong with it. Since 1978, rape (which is a member of the mustard family, as are turnips, watercress, and cabbage) has been crossbred to produce an oil very low in erucic acid and that has less saturated fats than any other oil and is outdone only by olive oil for the levels of monosaturated fats. The name "canola" comes from a blend of Canada and oil and came about to get away form the negative connotation of the word "rape." Canola oil is a healthy oil, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society advises to use (in moderation in order to keep a healthy weight) either olive oil or canola oil. No oil should be heated beyond its smoke point, but that's not the same thing as using it as an ingredient.

      Sadly, articles online can be written by anyone and can spread all sorts of bad information. Please, always checkout these so-called facts by going to reliable sources. Not every doctor who writes and article and posts it is correct...or even actually a doctor!

      Delete
    3. I would NOT believe SNOPES.com. That site is based on their OWN opinion NOT FACTS.. They even admitted that themselves after they got caught changing facts on some of the 9/11 stuff.

      If you are going to research something you should RESEARCH it .. NOT take another websites WORD for it.

      I am a Naturopath doctor and I know Canola OIL is NOT a healthy oil. It is bad on your health and is a by product. I have done my research and like windwisdom states.. IT causes MAJOR health issues.

      Just like Soy oil.. (whole other beast) It is spun as Healthy because they have too much of the crap left in Canada.. Canada came up with a great idea.. Lets sell this Cancer causing oil to the American's and we will change the name from RAPESEED to Canola.. (Canada's oil of death to America) and that is how we got Canola Oil..

      Delete
    4. You can call yourself a Naturopath, but not a Naturopath Doctor. You are NOT a doctor.

      Delete
    5. how strange is it that my doctor told me its best i use canola for my health? explain that one to me please

      Delete
    6. trust your Doctor not some Quack on the internet

      Delete
    7. If you were to take a nutrition class, then you would understand that canola oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids. You could also learn that it has a very high smoking point, which makes it perfect for cooking (i.e. searing, sauteing).
      Using it has not been linked to MS. The only real positive relationships with developing MS are cigarette smoking and living in more northern latitudes (thought to be due to a decreased amount of vitamin D from less sun exposure).
      Don't spread false information, especially when you are recommending someone not use a healthy alternative to other oils. Palm and coconut oils are high in saturated fats - no matter how many companies are taking advantage of the hullabaloo over them at the moment.
      Become educated.

      Delete
    8. I believe any "oil" that is man made is bad for you. Y would man have to "make" oil when we can get it naturally. Doctors are idiots and tell people things based on their opinions. Canola oil is really bad for you. please research this for yourself. America is dooming all of us to die of cancer and dieses. help yourself by eating non manmade foods and unprocessed all natural food.

      Delete
    9. I think I will use lard... Because of all the "Lard as**s" posting on here... Just make the tortillas or shut up... it is a good recipe! Mama said - "If you don't have anything nice to say - Then shut the "expletive" up!!!

      Delete
    10. I looked for this recipe becuase it has all ingredients I have in my himble kitchen... no lard, no coconut oil, no peanut oil... just flour, baking powder, water snd sunflower oil. If I die because of 5tortillas I'll die with a smile! Cheers from Europe :)

      Delete
    11. Cheers to you, Valdo! Glad they made you smile.

      Delete
    12. Here's an informative, scientific book on oils -- see the link for the section on Canola oil specifically. I always suggest using Google Scholar to go straight the trustworthy, objective articles that other sources base their information off of! Happy learning!

      http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=lnk2tdo8_P4C&oi=fnd&pg=PA107&dq=adverse+health+effects+%22canola%22+oil&ots=2YFjr87Q2H&sig=h9SUNxXofykIRtb53CbDT6lBHdg#v=onepage&q&f=false

      Delete
    13. Thank you. Delicious. Arguing about oil is ridiculous.

      Delete
  5. I made these torts today & I loved them! Thank you for a great & simple recipe

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are welcome! I just noticed I posted this entry exactly a year ago today and it has turned out to be my most popular post. I need to make up a batch to celebrate :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am making these as I type. The dough is resting right now and cannot wait to surprise my husband. He's been wanting me to make flour tortillas for a while now. Thanks for the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  8. My husband is starting to want tortillas and wraps over bread for lunches. As I make our bread homemade, vs. store bought, I'd like to know if this recipe can be stored, ratger than made and served immediately?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica, They should store fine if you put them in an airtight container or wrap in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. I have had no problems storing them this way :)

      Delete
  9. Thank you..cant wait to try these....

    ReplyDelete
  10. going to try these asap! looks good :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Just made them, but I put a little Adobo and black pepper. AMAZING! Best tortillas I've ever had. Thanks for the post :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I was so excited to find this. I started making fajitas when I realized I was missing the part that holds the whole dinner together! I kept finding recipes that had lard in them and that sounds gross so this is a life saver. Thank you for posting this!

    ReplyDelete
  13. These are wonderful! I've made traditional masa tortillas for years, but held off on flour ones because of the lard/shortening. I made these tonight using EVOO, and will probably never use store bought again. They made the BEST quesadillas.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Had them tonight and I am pretty sure I will never eat another store bought tortilla ever. These are so much better.

    ReplyDelete
  15. These are so easy and yummy! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Replies
    1. I haven't tried olive oil, but I am sure it would work. It may change the taste a bit.

      Delete
  17. I'm a college student and might i add that besides delicious! these are also super cheap to make!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Can I use bleached flour instead ?

    ReplyDelete
  20. I found this site right after finding your site. Which is perfect! Homemade Refried Beans..

    http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/03/how-to-make-homemade-refried-beans.html#_a5y_p=671206

    ReplyDelete
  21. These turned out wonderful! I just had EVOO on hand, and it worked great. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. awesome recipe! made them tonight and they were delicious...

    ReplyDelete
  23. Has anyone tried using coconut oil instead? I have plenty that I haven't been able to use and I would love making these tortillas with it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I add garlic powder, onion powder, dried chives and white pepper powder to the flour before adding the wet ingredients and it made the tortillas so much more flavorful. I recommend adding your favorite seasons to the flour.

    ReplyDelete
  25. can I use whole wheat flour? how long will these stay fresh in the refrige?

    ReplyDelete
  26. I made these tonight for the first time to go alongside a slow cooked beef chilli con carne. Here in Western Australia, I grew up on nuclear orange sachets of seasoning & thick, sickly sweet packet tortillas-I tasted one of these as soon as I made one, and thought "is this how it's supposed to taste?!' These are awesome! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! I knew I didn't want to use lard as other recipes suggested, these were so simple to make and taste so good!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Do people even realize that some doctors are not even aware of which oils have omega 3 or 6 and in what ration and what health effects is has on anyone?

    Doctors are not real doctors, many of them, any longer, they are contractors who dole out pills but they are not healers.

    Trust chemistry and your own good research - if something looks strange to you on examination, trust YOU.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I have an electric tortilla press that I love. Made in Mexico heavy duty. Looks like two chrome plates. http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Tortilla-tortillas-christmas-crispiest/dp/B005G4911Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1396662636&sr=8-3&keywords=electric+tortilla+press

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love this :) even tried experimenting with the dough... adding some seasoning to it. Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Can I use 1/2 KA unbleached bread flour and 1\2 unbleached whole wheat and still have soft tortilla results?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am guessing the whole wheat flour would be too heavy. I haven't tried it though, so if you do and it turns out just fine let me know :-)

      Delete
  31. I make these all the time - just chuck all the ingredients into my Thermix and kneed for 2 mins. They are great. Thanks for this recipe !

    ReplyDelete
  32. My dough is sticky after mixing all the ingredients. Is that normal? Sorry but I've even made bread before. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  33. As for totillias Lard (manteca ) is whats used in mexico , if you want a not so authentic tortillia then make it with what ever oil u want...

    ReplyDelete
  34. Great, simple recipe, similar to others. I've been a vegetarian/vegan for 45 years. My diet isn't perfect but that's what exercise and physical work are for. Also been around the full spectrum of health care professionals. Nitpicking and obsessing and worrying about what you eat, i.e.,oils may be worse than a little meat now and then.

    Enjoy your food. Free oil of any kind and/or a high fat diet, regardless of the fat's origin is not ideal. Listen to people like Pritikin, McDougall, Colin Campbell.

    Eat two meals a day, spaced at least 5 hours a part, a very light supper if you must [fruit], nothing in between meals, drink plenty of water between meals. Beans are a great substitute for meat. After a few weeks you'll get over any gas and cramping.

    At 64, my BP is about 110/70, medication free.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Just do them or don't!!! You chose this recipe to begin with! IF you know of a better oil option, tried it on this recipe, AND it worked out... THEN you could post something helpful, ie. thanks tried it with this and worked out great! Everyone has the right to follow their own research or trusted source! I hate people that try to proof them selves right by ridicule of others. I grew up on lard tortillas, my parents (late 70s mind you) did so as well. In fact my mom still to this day makes them! My parents are more active and look better then even people younger then them! My dad has a full time job plus does his whole yard, and then some, once a week. So there you have it.
    I loved this recipe, its easy, great option to the lard tortillas we love. My husband can continue to enjoy quesadillas every once in a while... They are perfect for my small family :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Veronica, I had no idea a tortilla recipe could cause such controversy! I just wanted to share an option made without lard. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

      Delete
  36. This is awesome. Making these tonight. I kept looking but every other recipe called for lard and frankly I just don't have a bucket of lard laying around. I do have canola oil though! I got a good chuckle reading through all the crazy oil posts. Thanks for posting this.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thank you I am going to make them today!!!!💗💗💗😇😇😇💖💖💖

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome! Let me know how they turned out ;-)

      Delete
  38. These are fabulous! Had anyone made them with whole wheat flour?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't tried them with whole wheat flour, but if you do let us know how they turned out!

      Delete
  39. Nom nom nom, thank you for the recipe! Hit the spot with the wraps for lunch and will be great in the fajita casserole for dinner :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. This particular papers fabulous, and My spouse and i enjoy each of the perform that you have placed into this. I’m sure that you will be making a really useful place. I has been additionally pleased. Good perform! Energy Dais presents the most comprehensive list of the Top Oilfield Drill Bit Companies in India, Middle East, USA & Canada. Choose from a list of 90+ handpicked Drill Bit suppliers and manufacturing companies. oilfield drill bit companies

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great! The pics and info was inspiring. As a wrap tortillas manufacturing company it helps us a lot! Keep Posting!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. https://images.google.no/url?q=https://mf-food.com/italian-pasta-sauces-manufacturing-company/

    ReplyDelete
  43. https://images.google.no/url?q=https://mf-food.com/pickles-and-pastes-manufacturing-company/

    ReplyDelete
  44. Nice!! The promotional image and the presented ways of the stokes products was great! As a tortilla wrap manufacturing company these ideas helps us a lot. Thanks for sharing..

    ReplyDelete