Flour Tortillas

Ingredients

5 cups flour

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups hot water

3 1/2 teaspoons salt

3 Tablespoons lard or solid shortening

Directions

Step 1: Combine dry ingredients. I usually whisk them together lightly so the baking powder is evenly distributed.

Step 2: Cut in the shortening or lard. Gradually add hot water in small amounts, while kneading thoroughly. Dough should be stiff, not sticky.

Step 3: My grandmother patted them out with her hands, but my mom used a rolling pin. If using the rolling pin, roll only in one direction away from you, lift the roller and start again for each section of the tortilla. Flip the dough and roll both sides. Use about a half-cup of dough for each tortilla. Do not use flour when rolling the dough or it will become too stiff.

Step 4: Bake on a very hot, lightly oiled griddle until the tortillas begins to bubble slightly, then flip it and grill the other side.

Makes 10-12 tortillas. Slather with butter and eat it hot, just like Maria in DAUGHTER OF THE WEEDS