Texas Flour Tortillas!

Adapted from: Homesick Texan 


The passion that started this blog. After my three year long search for a Tex-Mex style tortilla in Chicago, I finally gave-up and decided to research how to make my own (I'm not sure why I never thought of it before, I love to cook and bake!). I came across this recipe from the above blog, a woman with a story similar to mine, and couldn't be more thrilled! I have tried making them several ways: rolling them out small, medium and large. I find for the most authentic tortillas it is best to use a tortilla press, but a rolling pin works just fine. Here is my take on the delicious recipe, enjoy! 


Ingredients: 

• Two cups of all-purpose flour 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil
• 3/4 cups of warm milk

Method:

• Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and oil.
• Slowly add the milk (I find the best way to warm it is in the microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes).
• Mix together until a sticky dough ball is formed. 
• Remove ball of dough and knead for two minutes on a floured surface (wooden cutting board works best here).

• Place dough back in the bowl and cover with a damp cloth or damp paper towel for 30 minutes. It is very important to let the dough rest or it will be very elastic and difficult to roll out. 

• Separate the large dough ball into 8* smaller dough balls (easiest to remove the dough and cut into 8 even pieces then roll each into a ball).

• Let the dough rest another 10-15 minutes under a damp cloth. 

• This is where you can get creative with your rolling method: If rolling out the dough by hand, place an individual dough ball on a floured surface (keeping the other dough balls covered with the damp cloth), press out with your hand into about a 4-inch circle, then begin to roll until desired size and thickness.
• In this post, I am using a tortilla press: Take an individual dough ball, leaving the others covered, dust with flour and press flat. Lay in the tortilla press and squish away, voila! Perfectly shaped and flattened tortilla. 

• After rolling or pressing each tortilla, place in a dry cast iron or non stick skillet, heated on high. Cook the tortilla about 30 seconds on each side (it will puff a little on the top when the first side is done) 

• Place in napkins or tortilla warmer to keep warm until ready to serve. 

• I find the best way to store them is in a tortilla warmer, wrapped in paper towel, or wrapped in aluminum foil. 

And that's it. Homemade, delicious, authentic Texas flour tortillas! Although it does take a lot of time, most of it is waiting time for the dough to rest, and it is absolutely worth the wait! 


*8 tortillas with be quite thick depending on what you like, you make the recipe into 16 for a thinner tortilla. 

PRINTABLE RECIPE