Tortillas de harina de trigo

24 Servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
¼ pounds Lard or shortening (1/2 cup)
1 pounds Unbleached flour, sifted
2 teaspoons Salt
1 cup Hot water
2 MAR 1995 041849 ~0700

Directions

Using the fingers, rub the fat well into the flour. Dissolve the salt in the water and add it to the flour mixture. Knead the dough wll for about 3 minutes. Set it aside, covered, for at least 2 hours. Do not refrigerate. Heat the griddle over a medium flame. Knead the dough again for a minute or so, then take a piece of the dough and roll it inot a ball about 1 and ½ inches in diameter. Press the ball out evenly on a floured board or pastry cloth - you are trying to roll it out to a paper thin circle about 7 inches in diameter. With each press of the rolling pin turn the dough around slightly to keep it circular. Place the tortilla on the griddle - if it is the correct heat there should be a slight sizzling sound as the dough touches it.

Leave it for 20 seconds, by which time bubbles will appear on the surface and the underside will be speckled with dark brown. (If it puffs up, press it back onto the griddle.) Turn the tortilla over and cook it for a slightly shorter time on the other side. Place the tortillas, one on top of the other in a polyethylene bag. They should be thin light and flexible. NOTES: The tortillas can be made several hours ahead of time and warmed for a few seconds, one at a time on a hot griddle. They can be stored for several days in the refrigerator or frozen as long as they are kept flat. There is no need to defrost them before reheating. Flour should be sifted an weighed if possible.

Crisco works the best for thin tortillas. Weigh the fat at room temperature. Makes 24 6-inch tortillas. The Cuisines of Mexico Diana Kennedy

Submitted By WARING@... (SAM WARING) On

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