Chef John's Flour Tortillas

Ingredients

• 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.75 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.25 cups vegetable shortening
• 0.5 cups hot water
• 0.25 cups all-purpose flour for dusting

Instructions

1. 1

   Whisk 1 ¾ cups flour, salt, and baking powder together in a large bowl. Cut in vegetable shortening using a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

2. 2

   Form a well in the middle. Mix in hot water, working flour mixture and water together with a fork. Transfer to a cutting board.

3. 3

   Knead until a smooth, soft dough is formed, about 3 minutes. Add more flour if dough is too sticky.

4. 4

   Flour the cutting board, cover dough with the bowl, and let rest for 15 minutes.

5. 5

   Cut dough into eight equal parts; cover until needed. Roll out dough balls by hand or with a tortilla press.

6. 6

   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place 1 tortilla in skillet; cook until begins to bubble, about 1 minute. Flip tortilla; cook 1 minute more. Flip again and cook 1 minute more. Repeat with remaining tortillas.