MYO Flour Tortillas

Tortillas are a very forgiving, basic "bread" recipe that requires very little effort or experience. This traditional Mexican thin flatbread is often used to make dishes such as burritos, enchiladas and baleadas. You can make your own at home for just pennies with this simple recipe . . .

You'll

Need:
4 cups All purpose flour (or half white, half wheat)
2 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Salt
3 Tablespoons Solid Vegetable shortening (Such as Crisco)
2-1/2 cups Hot water

Place the flour, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a mixer, Mix well. Add shortening and mix until the mixture is crumbly. Mix on low while slowly adding water. Mix on low for 90 seconds or until well mixed.

Scrape the dough out of the bowl and onto a floured surface, knead until smooth, then Divide it into 2 equal portions. Cover with plastic wrap, set aside at room temperature for 20 minutes to let the dough rest. Divide each half into 8 equal portions. (If you're in a hurry, you can skip this step!)

Lightly flour a work surface and rolling pin.

Roll each ball into an 8-inch round. Stack rounds on baking sheet with plastic wrap between each tortilla. The plastic wrap helps keep the dough from drying out while giving it a chance to rest.

Heat a skillet or large frying pan over medium heat and fry each tortilla lightly on each side until bubbles, remove from heat, fill with your favorite filling and enjoy!

Alternatively, once rolled out, these can be cut into small circles with a biscuit cutter and then deep fried to make Tostada Bites, like those used in the Crab Ceviche recipe.

Variations:

• Sun Dried Tomato Wraps- add 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes that have been finely chopped, 1 tsp sweet paprika and 1 tbs oil to the above recipe

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / margouillat