Saturday, June 8, 2013

Homemade Tortillas

Yesterday I made that huge pot of beans, and a bunch of burritos.  As I was making the burritos up, I got to thinking....hmmm, I should try making tortillas sometime.  I remember a long time ago, there was a girl on one of our daughter's softball teams, and her Mom used to make her family tortillas every single day.  That amazed me!  And one day, she brought a basket of freshly cooked tortillas to my door, for our family to enjoy.  I will never forget how good those were!
Today I You tubed about 10 different recipes and ways to make tortillas at home.  All of them were quite similar.  Some used shortening.  Some used Vegetable oil.  And one even used butter flavor Crisco, and bacon grease.  I bet that one was good!!!  I didn't have any shortening, so I opted to make mine using vegetable oil for the fat.
The one I used called for:
3 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
6 T vegetable oil
1 Cup hot water
Stir the flour and baking powder and salt together to mix.  Add vegetable oil, mix together, then add water, a little at a time, until it forms a dough.
Knead the dough for several minutes, until it is soft and supple.  Roll into log, and then pinch off small dough balls and roll into small patties.
I made 14 tortillas.  Now cover bowl with damp tea towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
Lightly flour surface where rolling dough out, and roll thinly.  Meanwhile turn pan to a med/hi heat.  Do not add any oil to pan.  Place rolled out dough into hot pan.   When bubbled up, about one minute, turn to cook other side.
My first one came out pretty wonky!  See those bubbles?  Time to flip.
Each side will cook about a minute, maybe even less.  Turn, and then flip briefly a couple more times.
While each tortilla was cooking, I would dust surface ever so lightly with flour, and roll out another tortilla.  As I took each one off the pan, I placed them between a folded tea towel, and kept them coming.
About half way through, I just had to spread some butter on one, and try it.
Wow....NOTHING like the store bought flour tortillas I tell you!!!  I made one for Greg, and not a minute later, he came in to have another.
It didn't take long at all to have them all done, and stacked up nice and warm in the tea towel.
 I made some bacon, cheese and black olive quesadillas with them.
We have seven avocado trees, and I didn't have a single ripe avocado!!  The horror!  It sure would have been good on top of these.  And some vine ripe tomato too.  Darn.  Maybe next week I will have tomatoes ready.
These were fun to make.  I would do them again for sure!  I hope you try them.
I went out to see what was ready for harvest this evening.  Just last night, I noticed quite a few green beans that were ready to pick. Tonight when I went to harvest them, I discovered that "something" had beaten me to it.  I was only able to harvest about a handful.  But things are getting close.  I have a couple small heads of broccoli that will be ready soon.  Cabbages galore.  I think I will make homemade sourkrout.  I have 21 ears of corn.  The cucumbers are crisp and tasty!  Oh, I love bringing in the fresh veggies!
Tomorrow I think I have enough lettuce to pick for a nice salad.  The pumpkins are getting bigger every day.  And today I noticed several cantaloupe on the vines.   I am already sick to death of squash!
So, what's growing in your garden?  And what's cooking in your kitchen?
XO  Kris

28 comments:

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello dear Kris.. oh those tortillas look amazing, you are such an adventurous cook.. your family is so lucky to be the recipient of your culinary skills! I'm so jealous of your fresh veggies.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

From the Kitchen said...

I've often thought of attempting homemade tortillas as those who do, say there's nothing like them. You have inspired me. Seven avocado trees? Oh, lucky you!

Best,
Bonnie

Debbiedoos said...

mmmm..mmmm..mmmm. Those look delish. It would be totally worth it for me to fly to your house and just eat:) You have some good eats Kris.

Holly said...

Those tortillas look amazing! You've inspired me, I'm going to try it.

Mereknits said...

I'll be right over for lunch, we can chat and eat, yum!
Meredith

Unknown said...

OMGosh, those look so good, I sure wish I was your neighbor...you could pass it on...just like your neighbor did! Ha!

Your garden veggies look so good, I love that summer squash. Haven't had that in a long time. Guess I had better get to the farmer's market next week.

Poppy said...

Kris,

What a fantastic cook you are! I love the fact that you spontaneously just went for it and reaped the yummy results! Kudos!

Poppy xo

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I reluctantly bought some tortillas at the grocery store today when I've really wanted to try making my own at home. This is just the inspiration I need to give it a go. They look so good! And why should we buy prepackaged stuff that's filled with unnecessary ingredients! You are so blessed to be able to pull produce from your own garden. Enjoy! Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

P.S. The avocado trees alone would make me happy! In Sri Lanka they call them butter fruit. I eat one a day when I can get good ones. Yummo!

Kerri said...

And I thought I loved to cook! I would have never thought of making my own tortillas...but you make it look so easy! I might have to see for myself! Although we don't have veggies yet in our container garden, I stopped yesterday at an amish stand and bought beautiful radishes and strawberries and my neighbor brought over lettuce from her garden. I sure love this time of year!

Jeanna said...

That looks delish! I've never made my own tortillas but you've made it look easy...the pictures really help!

Kelli said...

What an amazing cook you are...wish I loved closer :)
Nothing better than homemade tortillas.

priscilla said...

I am going to have to try and make some homemade tortillas ! They look fabulous :) So does all your garden goodies!

Linda said...

You make it all look so easy...you really got the cooking gene!! I think I may try making some tortillas...your veggies all look yummy! We grilled our first egg plant last night...really tasty...and got 2 tomatoes too! We have a ton of cucumbers...we made cucumber, onion salad...really good! Have a great Sunday!!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Kris,
YUMMY!!!! my favorite...
I grow up eating spanish food. My Aunt had a resterant and I would watch her cook for hours.
We don't have a garden this year boo-who. And tonight its leftovers..LOL
I hope all is well, sending hugs~Elizabeth

Linda said...

Hi Kris...
Nothing much growing yet...
No cooking tonight...my boyfriend took me out, as I had been cooking all weekend...
Those look delicious...
You are a fantastic cook!!!

Cheers!
Linda :o)

Betsy said...

The tortillas sound wonderful! I've never been brave enough to try to make them. That may need to change. Your garden sounds great!
Blessings,
Betsy

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I've been catching up with your posts and your cooking always makes me so hungry! And I always have serious garden envy over your wonderful garden!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Since moving to Colorado I'm really getting to like Mexican food, Kris. We never had that much in NYC. Your homemade tortillas look delicious! I'm going to try making them.

Your garden bounty looks wonderful! There are too many rabbits here for me to ahve much of a garden, but I am growing herbs on flowers pots that are on high shelves so the rabbits can't reach them.

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Kris, I'm with Meredith I will be right over for a garden salad and tortillas. I'll bring the wine!
xoRobin

Sarah said...

Mmmm thanks for sharing! I checked out a recipe for the tortillas once and it was talking about a tortilla press, blah blah blah and so I skipped over it. Now I see you don't need one! Love that! Those veggies look amazing too!

Pam said...

Holy cow - 7 avocado trees? Lucky! I've never made homemade tortillas. They look simple & so tasty!

Nicolle said...

There is nothing like a fresh, homemade tortilla. Yours look WONDERFUL. Our neighbors, who have moved, used to make them and fresh salsa and bring it over on the weekends...I sure do miss that!
Have a great day Kris.
xo

Astri said...

Yum and double yum!

Farm Road Quilts said...

love your hair!! i'm slowly shortening mine too. i'm going to pin your beans recipe, hope it's ok!

Sharon said...

.

Sharon said...

Hi Kris,

I made tortillas for our dinner last night. They were yummy and so easy. Thanks for the recipe. Have a great day. Your follower from Fullerton!

Tania said...

Aren't homemade tortilla's just delicious? We love them here with marinated grilled chicken and salad.

xx