Tacos and Tortillas Night

Tonight we had Mutual at our house.  I've been feeling the need to teach the girls skills that they will need as they grow up and move out on their own - life skills, etc.  Yes, we teach them of gospel principles and such as church, but these mid-week activities are perfect for teaching them the skills they will need as they progress through life.

Tonight we made tacos and tortillas...our family fried tacos and homemade flour tortillas.  The girls did a good job.  They were a little slow - I think because they were talking so much - but we eventually got it done.  Three of my girls came tonight - we missed the other two.  Not sure why they didn't come, but, it's their choice.

We started off the night by making the flour tortilla dough.  We made a bowl of dough for each of the girls.  They would be able to make 8-10 tortillas each.

The recipe is very easy:

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

3-1/2 c flour

1 t salt

1/2 t baking powder

7 T shortening or lard

1 to 1-1/4 c very hot water

Put the flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl.  Add the shortening/lard and cut it into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter.  Once the shortening is well cut in and the flour is mixed in to the size of extremely small peas, add the very hot water.  Mix and then knead the dough for 3 minutes.  If the dough is too dry, add a little more water.  You want a nice moist, but squishy dough.  Put it in the bowl, cover it, and then let it rest for 15 minutes. (additional instructions at end of blog entry)

After we were done making the tortilla dough, we began dicing, slicing, and browning for the tacos.  Sammy helped by grating the cheese for us with the salad shooter.  Everyone thought that was pretty awesome to use to grate cheese!  Fast and easy!

Becky was in charge of cutting up the lettuce.  We all had a fun time giving her crap because 1) she didn't know how to cut it up and 2) she wasn't too sure that it was lettuce.  I guess most people nowadays just know lettuce that comes pre-cut in bags!  Anyhow, it was pretty funny!

Danika then helped brown the hamburger for the tacos. 

I actually fried the tacos for them since they were a little nervous to do so.  We were soon eating and enjoying our tacos.  Before they left, we finished off the tortillas...

Separate the dough into 1.5 ounce portions.  Form into small balls.  Press the dough out with a rolling pin into an oval shape.  Turn the dough 45 degrees clockwise and roll some more.  Turn 45 degrees once again and roll until round.  Heat up a cast iron frying pan or a non-stick pan on medium to medium-high.  Place tortilla on hot pan.  Watch for air bubbles to form and turn over quickly.  Press any large bubbles down.  Remove tortilla when slight brown spots begin to form.  Place tortilla either in a tortilla warmer or between two paper towels on a plate and seal over the top with tin foil.  This will help keep the tortillas warm, soft, and pliable.

Here is a short video showing the process:

It was a fun night.  The girls all got to take home 8-10 tortillas and I think everyone enjoyed the evening, along with learning something new!