How to Make Tortilla Dough

To make tortilla dough you will need lard, salt, water and all-purpose flour. Start by dissolving your salt in room temperature water. Next add the lard into the flour. Using your hands, begin to mix the lard into the flour using the biscuit method. You want to incorporate the lard into the flour until there are pieces no larger than a pea.

Once you have that consistency, make a small hole in the centre of your bowl and poor in two thirds of the water. Using a fork or a whisk, mix the water into the flour. If there is still a lot of flour remaining, slowly add in the remaining water. When a soft dough ball begins to form and all the dry flour has been absorbed, you can begin to work the dough with your hands.

Make sure the surface you are working on is clean and sprinkle lightly with flour. Begin kneading the dough. If the dough sticks to the surface, add more flour. To knead, bring your dough over itself using the ball of your hand and then roll it back out. You can use the one hand method or the two hand method. This will work the gluten strands in the dough. Continue kneading for three to four minutes. You want to achieve a consistency that is stiffer than bread dough, but softer than pasta dough.

A smooth and glossy surface should appear when your dough is ready. Saran wrap the dough and allow it to rest for at least thirty minutes in the refrigerator before rolling it out.