Homemade Flour Tortillas

Homemade Flour Tortillas

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
⅓ cup vegetable oil
1 cup warm water

INSTRUCTIONS

• Combine flour, salt and baking powder in the bowl of a stand mixer. With the dough hook attached mix dry ingredients until well combined. Add oil and water with mixer running at a medium speed. Mix for 1 minute, stopping several times to scrape the sides of the bowl. After about 1 minute, or when mixture comes together and begins to form a ball, decrease mixing speed to low. Continue to mix for 1 minute or until dough is smooth.
• Transfer from mixing bowl to a well-floured work surface. Divide dough in half, then in half again. Continue until you have 16 fairly equal portions. Form each piece into a ball and flatten with the palm of your hand as much as possible. If dough is sticky, use a bit more flour. Cover flattened balls of dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rest for 15 minutes before proceeding.
• After rest period, heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Roll each dough piece into a rough circle, about 6-7 inches in diameter, keep work surface and rolling pin lightly floured. Don’t stack uncooked tortillas on top of each other or they will get soggy.
• When pan is very hot, place one dough circle into pan and allow to cook about 1 minute or until bottom surface has a few pale brown spots. The uncooked surface will begin to show a few little bubbles. If tortilla is browning too fast, reduced heat a bit. If it’s taking longer than a minute to see a few pale golden brown spots on underside of tortillas, increase heat a bit. Flip to other side and cook for about 30 seconds. You want the tortilla to be soft but have a few small pale golden brown spots on surface. Remove from pan with tongs and stack in a covered container or zippered bag till all tortillas are cooked. This will keep them soft and pliable.
• Wipe out the pan in between tortillas if flour is started to accumulate.
• Serve warm or allow to cool for later use. When ready to use, place a slightly damp paper towel in the bottom of a container (with a cover) that will hold the stacked tortillas. Microwave, uncovered for 15-25 seconds (start with 15) or until warm, then cover to hold heat while serving.
• The tortillas will keep well stored in an airtight container or zippered bag at at room temperature for 24 hours or can be frozen indefinitely. To freeze, separate tortillas with parchment paper or waxed paper and place in a zippered bag before placing in freezer.

Banana Nut Bread

Banana Nut Bread


Whisk together thoroughly:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Stir in:
2/3 cup chopped pecans (or other nuts)

Whisk together in a large bowl:
1 egg
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (2 - 3)
6 Tbsp oil
1 tsp vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Grease bread pans.

Add the flour mixture and mix together with a few light strokes just until the dry ingredients are moistened. do not over mix. The batter should not be smooth. Divide the batter among the bread pans. Bake until an inserted toothpick comes out clean - about 45-60 minutes. Let cool for 2 - 3 minutes before removing from the pan.

Almond Cookies

Almond Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt

About 3 teaspoons of sugar for topping
3 tablespoons sliced almonds

Directions
1. In a small bowl, cream the butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extract. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
2. Shape into 1-in. balls. Roll in remaining sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten with the bottom of a glass. Press three almond slices into the center of each.
3. Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Yield: 3 dozen.

Thin Pizza Crust

Thin Pizza Crust
Makes two 10-inch pizzas

3/4 cups (6 ounces) lukewarm water
1 teaspoon active-dry or instant yeast
2 cups (10 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Set the oven to 500°F or as hot as it will go and let it heat for at least half an hour before making the pizza.

Combine the water and yeast in a mixing bowl, and stir to dissolve the yeast.Add the flour and salt to the bowl and mix until you've formed a shaggy dough.

Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface along with any loose flour still in the bowl. Knead until all the flour is incorporated, and the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. The dough should still feel moist and slightly tacky. If it's sticking to your hands and countertop like bubble gum, work in more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it is smooth. (Or mix in a mixer with a dough hook)

Let sit for 10 or more minutes - or put in the refrigerator and use within 3 days.

Press dough out on greased pizza pan. For an extra-thin crust, roll it with a rolling pin. If the dough starts to shrink back, let it rest for 5 minutes and then continue rolling.

Bake for about 3 - 5 minutes and then top with toppings and bake until bottom is lightly browned