Tortilla

Homemade Tortilla Recipe

Homemade tortillas are soft, flexible, and tasty flatbreads made from flour and water, which are the perfect base for various Mexican dishes, such as burritos, tacos, fajitas, and much more. They are easy to make at home in just a few simple steps, and the result far surpasses store-bought alternatives. Enjoy the authentic taste of Mexico by making your own tortillas right at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (or lard)
• 3/4 cup warm water

Preparation steps:

1. Preparing the dough:

   • In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
   • Add the vegetable oil and warm water. Gradually knead the dough until it is elastic and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
   • Transfer the dough to a work surface and continue kneading for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
   • Divide the dough into several equal parts and roll them into balls. Cover the balls with a towel and let them rest for 15-20 minutes.

2. Rolling out and baking the tortillas:

   • Heat a skillet over medium heat without oil.
   • Take one ball of dough and roll it out into a thin circle on a lightly floured surface. Ensure the thickness of the tortilla is even.
   • Transfer the tortilla to the heated skillet and cook each side for about 30-60 seconds until golden brown bubbles appear. Do not overcook to keep the tortillas soft.
   • Place the cooked tortilla on a clean towel and cover with another towel to keep them warm. Continue baking and stacking the remaining dough.

Tips and recommendations:

Use a hot skillet: Cook the tortillas on a hot skillet to give them a nice golden color.

Avoid overcooking: Cook the tortillas for only 30-60 seconds on each side to keep them soft and elastic.

Store properly: If you have leftover tortillas, wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. Reheat them on a skillet before serving.

Experiment with fillings: Tortillas are a great base for different fillings, so feel free to experiment with various options and add your favorite ingredients.

Control thickness: Roll out the dough into evenly thin circles so the tortillas cook uniformly.

Common mistakes:

Overheating the skillet: A too hot skillet can burn or dry out the tortillas. Maintain moderate heat.

Overbaking: If you cook the tortillas on the skillet for too long, they may become stiff and lose their softness.

Incorrect dough consistency: Too dry dough will make the tortillas hard, and too wet dough will make them sticky. Monitor the dough consistency while kneading.

Insufficient dough rest: If you don't let the dough rest after kneading, the tortillas may be harder to roll out and less elastic.

Uneven rolling out: Roll out the dough evenly to ensure the tortillas are of the same thickness and bake uniformly.

Now that you know how to easily make homemade tortillas, you can add them to your recipe collection and enjoy the taste of Mexican cuisine anytime. These versatile flatbreads pair well with various fillings and are a perfect choice for quick and delicious everyday meals. Create your own Mexican fiesta in your kitchen with homemade tortillas!