While corn tortillas may get all the acclaim, we also love flour tortillas for their versatility, neutral flavor, and pliant texture. A staple in northern Mexico, flour tortillas can be used in a variety of dishes.
History of Flour Tortillas
Corn tortillas have been an important part of Mexican cuisine well before Europeans arrived. The flour tortilla is an offshoot of the corn tortilla, and is a more contemporary ingredient than its corn-based counterpart. Flour tortillas are believed to have been produced in northern Mexico and/or California where wheat was more easily grown than corn. Today, flour tortillas are popular in Mexico and the United States, especially in the American Southwest.
How are Flour Tortillas Made?
At their most simple, flour tortillas are made with water, salt, flour, and fat (lard, oil, or butter), however many store bought flour tortillas will have preservatives, leaveners, and dough softeners added to them to extend the tortillas’ shelf life and pliability.
Cooking with Flour Tortillas
One of the most popular ways to use flour tortillas is for making burritos. The pliant texture of the flour allows you to stuff the burritos with a variety of toppings, roll them up easily, and enjoy them anywhere. Want to try making them yourself instead of ordering takeout? Try our recipe for Beef and Bean Burritos.
Flour tortillas also work well when making enchiladas, as the flour tortillas are less likely to crack once rolled. Our recipe for Breakfast Enchiladas is stuffed with breakfast sausage, refried beans, and topped with a poached egg. Looking for more classic enchiladas? We have a recipe for them too. Our recipe for Chicken Enchiladas also comes with a side of rice and beans for a complete meal experience.
One of our all time favorite Suvie recipes is for slow cooked Carne Guisada. Perfect chunks of meat are simmered to perfection in a blend of spices and vegetables. Serve your carne guisada with a side of soft flour tortillas for dipping in this delicious stew.
Shopping for Flour Tortillas
You can easily find flour tortillas in any grocery store. If you want, you can also seek out less conventional flour tortillas by shopping your local Mexican market or try your hand at making them at home for yourself.
Feature Image: Flickr user annieseats ( CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 )
