Flour tortillas

4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/4 cup shortening

Combine flour with baking powder and salt. Add shortening and mix with fingers until evenly mixed. Gradually stir in enough water to make a soft dough. Knead for 5 minutes. Cover and let rest 30 minutes. Preheat an ungreased griddle or heavy skillet over med heat. Form balls and and shape each one into a really flat patty-using your hands and a roller (this will take practice!!) Once you have started rolling it out-don't form it back into a ball and try to start over it makes the dough go hard and it's ruined. Roll very thin. Place tortilla on skillet . Cook until bubbles form on top and underside is flecked with brown. Turn and cook until the other side is lightly brown. Stack tortillas and cover with a dry cloth until ready to serve. Serve immediately or store in plastic bag and reheat briefly before serving.

Makes about 12-14 tortillas

Serving Suggestions: Fill with refried beans and cheese for easy burritos. Fajitas. Or chilli. For easy Mexican desserts spread with cream cheese and a little salt. Or Butter and cinnamon and sugar. Also great for breakfast with scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and sausage and salsa for breakfast burritos.

Recipe by Melissa Hernandez