FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Place your "comal" (spanish) or round griddle, preferably cast iron if you can find one, on stove at low heat. Place water in a saucepan and begin heating on stove. Combine all dry ingredients
• Using a pastry cutter add lard (or shortening) and mix together until it is completely mixed with dry ingredients.
• While combining all ingredients keep and eye on your water. Heat until it is hot enough for you to stand. Should let it get pretty hot, usually once the bubbles begin to form in pan. NOT BOILING.
• Add water and knead together a small amount at a time. I usually create a little pit in the flour and fill with water and knead that small amount. See video! :)
• You will likely not need all the water. Just use enough to knead all you ingredients into one large ball of dough. Dough should not be sticky. You should be able to clean your mixing bowl with the dough. If it is sticky add some flour until you have a small ball of dough or masa (spanish). You can let the dough sit for about 30 mins to help tortillas rise but it is not necessary.
• Break off small bits at a time, about the size of a golf ball. Flatten them out a bit to make the "testales" (sp.). See video.
• Sprinkle flour on your "testal" and roll out with a rolling pin. To get a nice round tortilla just turn your tortilla a quarter turn or less at a time while rolling it out. See video. :) Making tortillas is very technique driven and will take time to learn!!!
• Just roll out easily and do not press too hard. You should be making about a 7 inch round tortilla. Place tortilla on your heated "comal". You might have to play with the heat a little to estimate how much time to cook each side. A tortilla only EVER requires 3 turns when cooking. Watch video. Cook each side for about 10 - 20 seconds each. Depends on the heat and your stove. I count in my head, just makes it easier. You will get used to it.
• Enjoy! Add a little tab of butter or enjoy with any dish. The nice thing about this recipe is you can can split it in half for a small amount or tortillas.
• Keep a butter knife or pie cutter handy. Flipping tortillas is hard and you can burn yourself! These tools come in handy.
• If they blow up like balloons you are doing something very right!But beware because once your family gets a whiff of these tortillas will disappear!! Enjoy. Love to cook and cook with love. :)