I really need a recipe for flour tortillas that I can make in my big ol’cast iron frying pan. Help!!!!

You see it all started several years ago as I was workin' my way out of the Mogollons east into Tejas. It was hot and dry and my canteen was empty, my poor cayuse was just a draggin'. Dan is a mighty-fine pony, but he was jest about played out. There was s'pose to be a seep hidden in the boulders up ahead where I could water me Ol’ Dan. The seep was dry, nothin’ but sand. Some bleached bones of various critters laid thar around that dry waterin' hole. I moved on, weavin' in and out of the cacti and brush, the buzzards were circlin' overhead. The heat waves was dancin' above that desert floor and my tongue was gettin' thick. Luckily, I came upon a small Tex-Mex border town thar in the desert. It was a good thing, too, I was not only dying for some water, but I was feelin' mighty hungry, as well.

I hitched Dan on a post outside of a small adobe cantina, I could hear the sounds of guitars, trumpets and an accordion playin' inside. It seemed right invitin' -- the good smells comin' out of that place seemed like heaven. I splashed some water from the trough on my face, dried it with my bandanna, brushed the dust from my chaps, and sauntered in. The rowels on my silver spurs jingled as I walked in on that dusty wood plank floor.

I screwed myself down in a chair at a table near the back wall and had to wait a minute or so as my eyes became adjusted to the darkness. Comin' towards me was one dern pretty senorita, long shiny black hair which was adorned by a tortoise comb, mischievous black eyes. She was wearin' a white cottony blouse with a low bodice which left her shoulders bare, it was tied across the top with a thin ribbon. A wide, silver bracelet was on her wrist and a silver belt of medallions around her slim waist. She wore a dark, flowin' skirt and I could see her dusty, bare feet peekin' out from under the hem. She asked me if the gringo was hungry, I replied “Yes, ma’am!”. Turning on one dusty foot, she did a 180 into the back room. I pulled some tobacco out of my pouch, rolled and licked the paper, lit it and waited for my meal.

Fore long, that pretty senorita gal came back with a steamin' bowl of thick Tejas Red, a plate stacked high with soft warm, flour tortillas and a pitcher of icy, cold margaritas. I had died and gone to heaven! This gringo rolled those tortillas 'round that chili and ate until I had to loosen my gun belt. T'was the best chuck this saddle tramp has had since eatin' tortilla soup aways north of this small town.

'Bout this time I was feelin' a bit frisky and asked my waitress if she'd like to sashay to the tune of the Mexican polka bein' played. She said, "Si' senor, but my lover is coming soon." At that moment, the double doors of the cantina swung open and there stood a mean, tough lookin' hombre. He wore all black with silver bangles up the sides of both pant legs and a big, black sombrero. He had bullet-filled bandaleros criss-crossed over this chest, wore two pistolaros down low and tied to his legs, had a patch over one eye, a scar on one cheek, and was missin' a tooth. He shouted, "Felina, come here!" My lovely waitress left my side.

I figgered it was time to light a shuck outa there, I tossed a silver dollar on the table and could hear it spin as I walked out of Rosa's Cantina. (And for some reason, I could also hear in the back of my mind an old Marty Robbin's tune--what was that about?) I rode out of that town and wondered if I'd ever return. I sure wish I could make tortillas as fine as Rosa's....recipes anyone?



-- Cabin Fever (cabinfever_MN@yahoo.com), April 05, 2002

Answers

This same subject has been posted a couple of times -- look in the archives.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), April 05, 2002.

I remember well, I was the cook in the back of that Cantina LOL!!

2C. flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 TBs lard

1/2 to 3/4 C. warm water

Mix dry ingredients, mix in lard til mixture resembles cornmeal. Add 1/2 cup of the warm water. Mix til dough can be gathered up into a ball. Add more water if needed 1 TBS at a time. Let dough rest 15 min. divide into 12 balls, flatten into 7 inch round and cook on ungreased skillet (or whatever you are using)til lightly browned.

I've got the margarita recipe to go with it if you need that too!!

-- cowgirlone in ok (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), April 05, 2002.

For a softer tortilla, put the stack in a large zip-loc bag for several minutes to sweat a bit. Or, wrap in tin foil to let them soften in a warm spot and they will stay warm. For a rounder tortilla, do not roll all of the way to the edge. The edges will get thin enough when you turn the tortilla while you are rolling it out.

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), April 05, 2002.

Shucks! I can't help with the tortillas, but I sure enjoyed the story! Thanks! Julie in OK

-- Julie (okwilk213@juno.com), April 05, 2002.

I tried cowgirlone's recipe today and I will never buy them again! My husand loved them, too. Really delicious and really easy. I gave my sister the recipe, too. Thank you so much for sharing.

-- Gaylel in KY (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), April 07, 2002.

Gayle, I'm so glad you enjoyed them! Best wishes.

-- cowgirlone in ok (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002.

CF, can't believe that I about missed that wonderful story. It is up to your usual standard that I miss on the other board.

Do take care of that Texas gal now, ya hear?

-- Notforprint aka greenbeanman (Not@thekeyboard.com), April 09, 2002.

I want to know directions to the Cantina!

-- ET (wilded@austin.rr.com), April 09, 2002.

Hey GBM!! How the heck are you? I'm doing the best I can taking care of my Texas gal....she's a dream come true and then some.

Sorry I never wrote you about polyacrylimdes, but truth be known, I don't know a dern thing about them. Will have to do some research in my soil journals (if I ever get any time...Susan keeps me busy!)

--Happy trails, CF

P.S. Will get in touch when we plan to travel south. Would like to hook up with you again.

-- Cabin Fever (cabinfever_MN@yahoo.com), April 11, 2002.