Flour Tortillas!!!

I grew up in the South West desert in Arizona. Go as far west as you can without going into California, and go as far south as you can without going into Mexico and that's where I grew up. We moved there when I was nine and I left for Washington DC when I was 28. It was a good place to grow up and I learned a lot about food there. Since leaving, I have NOT been able to find a truly good tortilla, corn or otherwise. I've been back to the area many times and have thrown myself face first into piles of tortillas (corn or otherwise), but have not been able to find a truly authentic tortilla until recently. I had to make it myself and, while it was fun, it was a project!

This recipe make one dozen flour tortillas. Heat the skillet while preparing the tortillas and it will be at the perfect temperature to cook your tortillas when they're ready. Double if you need more.

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon lard (I used Crisco)
3/4 cup cold water

Whisk flour, salt, and baking powder together thoroughly in a mixing bowl. Cut in lard using your fingers to blend perfectly. The mix will look like corn meal when it's done. Add the water and mix until dough comes together. Place dough on a floured surface and knead a few minutes until smooth and elastic. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. The easiest way to do this is to divide the dough in half. The divide the dough in half again. Then divide each piece into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. Roll each ball into a paper thin round tortilla using enough flour to keep the dough from sticking to the surface or the rolling pin. When each tortilla is rolled, shake the flour from it and place in hot skillet. Cook until bubbles start to form on surface, then flip. When bubbles form on surface again, remove from skillet to a cool plate. Form next tortilla, and repeat until all dough has been cooked. Cool completely, then store in a plastic bag.

When it's time to use these tortillas, heat them in a microwave or a hot skillet or griddle until browned and bubbles form. Use immediately after heating to make taco, burritos, or whatever you like! It's wonderful!