Tom's paternal grandmother Soco taught him to make these tortillas, and when I'm really lucky he will make a big batch for us. Soco was truly proficient in the kitchen and could easily turn out these tortillas in no time. Tom tells stories of how she would cook the tortillas using her fingers to turn them on the griddle (ouch!). These are so good it is almost impossible not to eat one (or more) as you are cooking them. For a treat, I will warm them with butter and cinnamon sugar for a delicious dessert.
Prep time: 35 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Makes: 12 tortillas
INGREDIENTS:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup lard or shortening
3/4 to 1 cup water
DIRECTIONS:
Mix flour, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Rub in lard with fingertips until blended. Add water gradually, mixing until dough cleans side of bowl and forms a ball.
Knead dough on lightly floured surface about 5 minutes or until smooth. Shape dough into 12 inch roll; cut into slices. Shape each slice into smooth ball. Cover with damp towel; let rest 15 minutes.
Flatten each ball into 4 to 5-inch circle on floured surface. Roll from center toward edge, turning tortilla one-fourth turn at a time, until tortilla measures about 9 inches in diameter. Place tortilla between damp towels to prevent it from drying out.
Cook each tortilla on un-greased medium-hot griddle 30 to 40 seconds or until brown spots form on bottom. Tortilla will puff with bubbles. Turn tortilla; immediately press down on tortilla with folded towel to flatten. Cook until light brown. Stack tortillas; cover with towel.
