Homemade Tortillas and Taco Seasonings

If you knew me IRL you would know how much I actually hate to go to the store. Grocery shopping is a penance for me. Tonight I had soft tacos on the menu but realized I didn't have any flour tortillas. Sigh. But I happened to be reading "Family Feasts for $75 a Week" by Mary Ostyn and in it was a super dee duper simple recipe for tortillas. I decided to give it a try, the worst that could happen is that I would still need to go to the store.

This recipe is so simple that my almost 5 year old did most of the rolling out of the dough. They were not round but still they were perfectly delicious and filling. I was kinda sad that one filled me up they were so good.

Without further ado here is the recipe, from Mary's book.

Homemade Tortillas

3 cups all purpose flour, plus 1/4 cup for rolling

2 tsp baking powder

1tsp salt

1/2 cup vegetable shortening (I used solid coconut oil - worked perfectly)

1 cup warm water

1. combine 3 cups flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Work in coconut oil until the mixture is crumbly using your fingertips, a fork, or a pastry cutter. (I used my fingertips) Slowly add warm water to mixture while mixing with a fork. With your hands knead dough vigorously in the bowl until it forms a nice doughball, (about 2 min) Add a little water to collect any loose flour. Cover bowl with a clean dish towel and let stand at least 15 minutes.
2. Divide dough into 12 small balls. Take a dough ball, roll it in flour, then place on a floured surface and roll out very very thin with a rolling pin. Great job for a child, as long as the grownup can stand imperfection.
3. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium until hot. Add tortilla and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until it gets brown spots and no longer looks doughy.

Leftover tortilla can be cooled then stored in a plastic bag in the frig or freezer until needed. You can also store leftover dough in the fridge a day or two. Let it sit on the counter for half an hour before rolling out any leftover dough.

In case you are interested I also made my own taco seasoning for my hamburger. Yummy!! I am so glad to never need to purchase premixed taco seasoning with MSG and who knows what else.

Taco Seasoning

1TBS chili powder

1TBS cumin (I love cumin)

2 tsp onion powder

1tsp garlic powder

1tsp paprika

1 tsp marjoram

1 tsp gr. oregano

Add 1/4 cup water to cooked meat along with seasonings and let cook about 10 minutes.

If you are wondering how to keep them warm while you make a bunch of tortillas for your brood, check out this post from before!

Submittted to 11th Heaven's Homemaker Monday, Works for Me Wednesday  Real Food Wednesday and Food Renegade's Fight Back Friday. Go check out all the other great links posted at these sites!