Grandma's Tortillas

Grandma performing some serious rolling action!

Look at that perfectly rolled tortilla waiting to be cooked. 

We always knew there were fresh tortillas when the orange container was sitting on top of the toaster :)

This is the part where my rolled tortillas don't end up round anymore.

When the bubbles pop up, it's time to flip.

Now that's a pretty tortilla!

I always loved walking into the house and finding the orange container sitting out on top of the toaster. It either meant there were freshly made tortillas or scones inside. When I lived with her, my room was just on the other side of the kitchen. I will never forget waking up to the sound of her rolling tortillas. The distinct "clop clop" of the rolling pin as she rolled up, then down and took just a long enough pause as she rotated the tortilla. Then "clop clop" again with another pause to rotate...

Although I've tried making tortillas before, I cheated and used tortilla flour. Something my grandma did sometimes when she didn't have enough regular flour. Sorry Grandma for telling your secret!!!! Well, I tried making some using her recipe. This recipe called for kneading the dough for 15 minutes and then letting it rest for a bit. I don't remember my Grandma kneading anything for 15 minutes! This dough was so wet and soft. I had to use so much flour just to roll them out. It was bad. After I managed to get them all cooked, I called my mom to tell her how much of an epic fail the tortillas were. Somewhere in her laughter she managed to tell me that that must not have been the right recipe. We compared notes and I thought I'd give them another shot at a later time.

I have to say that with the few adjustments that were made, the next batch of tortillas were MUCH better! With the exception of the look of them, they tasted like my Grandma's tortillas. It took a few to figure out how long to let them cook and how hot the griddle needed to be. I remember my Grandma telling me that the griddle had to be hot enough but not too hot, and that each tortilla has a top and a bottom. Although I can't remember which side is which. Anyway, here's how my latest batch turned out:

My "round" tortilla waiting to be cooked. My Grandpa made my rolling pin out of a broom stick, I think. One side has a "K" the other side has "84", the year it was made :)

There's the bubbles. Time to flip!

A different tortilla, after the flip.

The finished product. I had to make a little one just for Anissa. She loved it! 

So, I'd have to say that with some more practice, I might be able to make tortillas that are round instead of square, in the shape of Texas or that look like the little ghosts from Pac-Man! Practice makes perfect, but they'll never be as good as Grandma's :)

Here's the recipe I used:

Flour Tortillas

From: My Grandma, Mary Vasquez

4 cups all purpose flour

5 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. salt

¼ cup + a little canola oil

1½ - 1¾ cup hot water

I used just a tad over ¼ cup of oil and just over 1½ cups of water. 

Knead with fingers until all mixed together. Do Not Press! I had to add about 3 Tbs. of flour to get the dough not so sticky. I made my dough balls about the size of an egg and they turned out a pretty good size once rolled out. Make sure you flour your surface and flour your rolling pin. Once rolled out, put on the griddle. I had mine set to just under medium heat. Once the bubbles start to pop up, flip it. After a minute or two, the other side should be cooked. Kind of like cooking a pancake. Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Sorry if you didn't want your recipe shared Grandma! Yo te quiero mucho! :)

I hope you enjoy and give this recipe a second chance in your kitchen too.