special insert Taste of Northern Mexico: Flour Tortillas By Abasto exico has di昀昀erent types of tortillas, but the main ones are corn or 昀氀our. 吀栀e northern zone is renowned for its unique 昀氀our tortilla, a culinary star that adds a distinct 昀氀avor and aroma to any dish. A recipe and 昀椀ve ingredients are required, plus a rolling pin Mto knead the dough, a clean and 昀氀at surface, a deep bowl, another one with a lid, a small one, and a steel comal or 昀氀at pan. 吀栀e following recipe is originally from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Ingredients • 1 kilo or 35 oz. of wheat 昀氀our • 250 grams or 1 cup of vegetable shortening (at room temperature) • 1 handful of salt • 2 cups of hot water Instructions • Set aside some 昀氀our in a small bowl to 昀氀our the testalitos (small balls of dough to roll with the rolling pin). • Put the 昀氀our in a deep bowl and add the shortening at room temperature so that it is soft and can mixed up with your 昀椀ngers. Blend Cooking both ingredients as much as possible. Add the • Place the testalito, on both sides, in the small salt and combine evenly with the 昀氀our and bowl with a bit of 昀氀our to 昀氀our the dough ball. shortening mixture. • On a smooth, 昀氀at surface, sprinkle some • Gradually add the hot water at the highest 昀氀our and place the testalito on top. Roll each temperature your hands can withstand. First dough ball until 昀氀attened with the rolling pin one cup and then the other. The result should on one side and then on the other, making sure be a soft but not chewy dough. The dough is that the tortilla is round. A tip is to turn it only expected to feel chewy at the beginning, so it is three times. Ensure it is not too thin so that the necessary to continue blending the ingredients 昀氀our tortilla is soft during cooking. until it is smooth. • Place the comal or 昀氀at pan over medium- • Now it is time to make the testalitos, the high heat and wait until it is hot. Then, place the little dough balls of the same size. tortilla on the 昀椀rst side and wait for the other • Cover the testalitos in a bowl so they do not side (the raw side) to 昀椀ll with bubbles. Flip and be in the open air. Store them in the refrigerator wait for the other side to cook. Only 昀氀ip once. or leave them at room temperature if it is not hot. Let stand for 30 minutes. ¡Provecho! 88 MMAAYY//JJUUNNE 20E 20224 - 4 - AABABASSTTOO..CCOMOM