A great tortilla recipe for burritos?

Question

I want to make the best burritos ever this weekend. I have a decent rice thing going on and of course beans. Hand made tortillas would rock the place yeah? Is it just flour, water and salt or is oil/lard really necessary?

Answer 1

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vegetable oil or non-hydrogenated lard

3/4 cup lukewarm milk

In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add vegetable oil to the lukewarm milk and whisk briefly to incorporate. Gradually add the milk to the flour mixture, and using clean hands, work into a sticky dough.

Turn dough out onto a surface dusted with flour and knead vigorously for about 2 minutes or until the dough is no longer sticky.

Return dough to bowl, cover with a damp cloth and allow to rest for 10 -20 minutes so that it will be easier to roll out.

Divide dough into 8 balls of equal size, cover them, and let them rest again for about 20 minutes. Avoid letting them touch, if you don't want them to stick together.

Dust a clean pastry board or working surface with flour.

One at a time, remove each piece of dough. Press it out into a 5-inch circle. Using a flour dusted rolling pin, roll out the tortilla from the center out until the tortilla measures a little less than 1/4 inch thick and is a 7 or 8 inch circle.

Transfer the tortilla to a dry preheated skillet or griddle. when the tortilla begins to blister, allow it to cook for 30 seconds, flip it, and cook the other side the same way.

Remove tortilla, place it in on a clean paper towel and cover loosely with foil. Repeat for remaining tortillas.

Tortillas freeze well. Wrap tightly in plastic, removing any air pockets. Keeps frozen for several weeks.

To serve tortillas which have been frozen, thaw at room temperature, wrap in foil and heat in a warm oven.

Answer 2

yes, the lard is necessary.  it needs to be solid shortening and not liquid.  white wings also makes a very good flour tortilla mix that only requires warm water be added.  i started using that a few years ago and they came out just like my MIL's and she measures all the ingredients.  if you use the mix, just store it in an air tight container.  it's next to the flour in the grocery store.  make sure the dough sits long enough too.  don't be discouraged if they don't turn out right the first time, tortillas take some practice.

Answer 3

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp shortening (I use oil)

1/2 to 3/4 cup warm water

Stir first 3 ingredients in a bowl, then add shortening or oil till mixture resembles cornmeal, add 1/2 cup water & mix till dough can be gathered into a ball,(you can add more water, a little bit at a time if necessary) Let dough rest for 15 mins. Divide it into 12 portions, shape into balls. Roll each ball to a 7" round on a lightly floured surface, trim uneven edges to make it round. Cook in ungreased skillet over medium heat about 1 1/2 mins per side or till lightly browned.

I make them all the time.

Answer 4

There is a tortilla flour mix at the stores in the latin aisle - or you can look up a recipe online.  

Also, buy a tortilla maker - it's a cast iron "machine" you use to flatten the tortillas ... easy to use and inexpensive - helps to get the tortilla just the right size.

The oil or lard (or even crisco) is a very necessary part - helps to hold it together and give it the correct texture.

Hope this helps