“Interesting” is a great word. It can be used to convey subtle disapproval yet it can be taken to mean of great interest rather that “Oh my, what a freakshow, now that is interesting!” My friend Queen Viv once called the stuff in my kitchen “Interesting.” I think she meant that in the sincere sense, although I do have the proclivity to collect odd things that clutter up the cupboards that have been destined for a use two years down the track.
It has been a while since my last In My Kitchen, the food blogger meme that Celia started a while back where we share the various things in our kitchen. Here’s a quick look at the more colourful members of my kitchen:
Some amazing Jean-Paul Hevin chocolates that I bought in Hong Kong. I’d open it up and show you the chocolate except I sort of nibbled at them all…
Some amazing silicon molds from Glasshouse Cakes in Revesby! Cannot wait to use these on cookies and cakes!
Some vintage bits and pieces: a rotary whisk and these butter knives which I’ve wanted forever…
Some lovely enamel cups from Rymill in Coonawarra
I’m not sure why I bought these red, white and blue stars but I can’t help but think they might be for an American themed recipe. I bought the giant smarties because giant or miniature of anything fascinates me.
The preserved lemons are for a recipe coming up and I just love the Lyle’s Golden Syrup tins so I always buy them whenever I see them.
And yes that’s a huge thing of Horlicks in the background. I’m still trying to figure out recipes in which to use it!
One less exciting item used to be these: flour tortillas. Mr NQN and I can’t get enough of quesadillas spread with bean dip, smoked meat, melted cheese and crunchy salad. He can easily eat six of these things. Then one day I decided to make some as I was running low in them. It turned out to be incredibly easy and the most time consuming thing was really having to let the dough rest which meant that the rolling process was easier. Nothing tastes quite like a flour tortilla straight from the frypan and serve these warm and you may find yourself ditching store bought tortillas for good! 
So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever used the word “interesting” to mean something not good? And are you brutally honest when you think something is off or are you more a diplomatic person?
And because it is Wednesday, here is your Wallpaper Wednesday picture! I’m sorry I missed last week’s-I clean forgot! This image is from the Anzac biscuit recipe 
xxx
Made From Scratch: Flour Tortillas!
Makes 12 large or 24 small flour tortillas
- 4 cups plain, all purpose flour (plus a little extra for rolling)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- You will also need a rolling pin, 2 teatowels and a non stick pan
1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt and baking powder with a large fork. In a jug measure the water and oil and add this to the dry ingredients and combine using the fork. Once it comes together, knead this until it becomes a smooth, elastic ball (about 3-4 minutes). Cover the dough ball in cling wrap and rest for at least 30 minutes on the kitchen bench (the more you rest the dough, the easier it will be to roll, and the thinner it will roll).
2. Divide the dough into even sized balls (you can make small or large tortillas). You can use a scale if you want to be completely accurate. A dough this size will weigh about 940grams or 1 pound.
3. Dust a surface with flour and roll the balls into a round shape and then roll out into a circle with a rolling pin. Cover the dough with a tea towel to prevent it from drying out. Heat a pan on medium high heat without any oil and cook each tortilla for about 30-40 seconds on each side (don’t overcook). Keep warm on a plate under another tea towel. Serve while warm!
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72 Comments | Add your own
Gorgeous gadgets and produces! Homemade tortillas are the best and yours look amzing.
Cheers,
Rosa
i’ve been wanting to make homemade tortillas – cannot wait to try this recipe!
Yup homemade tortilla’s the square one is such a good idea…..that’s how they should make them.
Yes – definitely have used the word ‘interesting’ to be diplomatic.
Tortillas look delish!
These look great and you’re right really easy. I bet they smell amazing. Your cupboards look like mine full of oddities to spark recipe ideas. Love the huge smarties. GG
I am diplomatically honest…:) Do you know what is really interesting? (In a good way here) I was thinking of tortillas and was about to start my search for a recipe… Are you reading my mind, Lorraine?! It’s spooky…:)
The recipe is lovely and your stuff is interesting. And I do mean “interesting” in all ways wonderful! (Very cool, actually. I have one of those butter knives, too.)
Tortillas from scratch? You’re a genius, I’ve never thought to try making them! Thanks Lorraine!
And thanks for joining In My Kitchen this month, I’ll add you to the list! And MUST get my hands on some of those silicon moulds!!
I don’t think interesting is a good word unless it’s describing people and even then it might not be. She’s uh “interesting.”
The tortillas look more than good. I like homemade ones with honey butter.
They look so much easier than I thought, I might have to try them.
I generally try to be diplomatic… generally.
These tortillas look so fresh and perfect – I can’t imagine why someone would want to buy them when homemade ones look so good
And loved your My Kitchen! Those silicon molds are awesome!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I have been guilty of using “interesting” when I didn’t like something but I figure language is a gift so we should use it to our utmost ability. Isn’t it amazing that we don’t consider making simple things like this because manufacturers have made it so easy to just go and buy it. I love the idea of being able to control the amount of salt in these and can’t wait to try them!
A good quick way to roll them out is to get a plate put your ball of dough inbetween 2 pieces of glad wrap and squash the ball under the plate. You get a perfect round every time and because you don’t use any dusting flour they taste yummier
I love bone handled knives and old fashioned whisks – and I keep pretty chocolate boxes long after the chocolates are gone – AND I once bought a VERY pretty mould for biscuits (this one is wooden carved on a paddle with a handle) from an Arabi shop in Merrylands when I lived in Greystanes…so many things in common!
Oh my golly gosh… those silicon moulds! They look awesome, and scarey and… interesting! They would make beautiful patterns, but how the devil would you get them out?
Looking forward to seeing what you do with them Lorraine!
Yum fresh tortillas! Have you tried making them from maize flour, mexican flour made from corn? Even more delish
Well done making your own tortillas! I am glad you shared this with us
Thanks for the peek inside your kitchen. The tortillas look fab – and taste great, I’ll bet, because they are fresh.
Love those cake moulds. I do use interesting to convey uncertainty, along with ‘it is very you’ when referring to a friends article of clothing I think is hideous but they love!
Mmm, they look good – are they also good for burritos?
Hahahaha i use the working ‘interesting’ all the time lol because it’s so vague hehe
my friends don’t really know if i mean it in a good or bad way hehe
I didn’t know that it was so easy to make flour tortillas! I’m gonna make some then! Cuz whenever Mr Bao and I have mexican food he’s always complaining that I didn’t buy enough tortillas hahaha now i’ll never run out woo hoo!
I love everything ‘In Your Kitchen’ hehe your cupboard looks like mine no matter how hard i try to keep it clean and tidy it just doesn’t work!
I have made these you can’t beat them still with a good been dip.
I’ve made chapatis, the Indian version of the tortilla
how can we ever go back to store bought! My mum has had a few of those knives, I think she actually had the whole set once as a wedding present!
Interesting collection, Lorraine. I love the old bone-handled knives too – but don’t put them in the dishwasher or there will be tears before bedtime.
In my kitchen is a tortilla press, which we decided we must have after buying some Blue Corn Maize. I’ve watched Mexican women make tortilla’s on the internet and i’m deffinitely lacking some skill there, but even sub-par freshly home made ones are pretty good!
Lovely Tortilas , would pair very well with Huevos Rancheros.
I derive a similar satisfaction when I make Chapati from scratch which leave the shop-bought ones for dead.
I <3 your silicon moulds, when are we going to see something made from those Lorraine?
My late sister-in-law used to say "Oh yeah" if she thought something was 'interesting' or not to her liking. I try to be diplomatic at all times so as not to offend but it can be difficult when something is really gross!
We love tortillas with almost anything, and have been making homemade for years. I have always used solid shortening or lard in ours, so will try your recipe this weekend. The silicone molds are most interesting to me, I need a set!
Some gorgeous finds there in your kitchen. I love the golden syrup tin!
And thanks for your tortilla recipe. I am so going to try this!! They look fantastic.
I came across a recipe yesterday for corn bread, only to discover I needed to buy some polenta and had none. Now I dont need to worry your recipe I have everything, and will do instead. Hope okay made a copy to keep as well. I always buy golden syrup, nothing like golden syrup dumplings, and the scrolls.. Luv em. How about one time everyone saying what they use golden syrup for…??
nothing like homemade tortilas, TRUE!
SO worth making too!
Better be careful how I use “interesting” in the future to describe an experience or some things…might just be the difference between American and Aussie expressions too,
As EXCITABLy interesting descriptions here in Oz sometimes has been understood to be just ordinary or less than too )
I could be happy in your kitchen. I’d have to bring my thermomix though.
I “tried” making corn tortillas in a tortilla maker I ordered from the states. Every single one exploded no matter how gently I pressed and released the top.
Maybe wheat tortillas would work better just rolling them out. I love using them.
MALTESERS!!! “Interesting”
I’m afraid they never last long enough at my place to reach the cupboard. Love those cookie moulds, would love something like that for shortbread. Where is Revesby?
Now, I HAVE used the word ‘interesting’ many times when there has not been anything else diplomatic to say, BUT your collection really is just that: thanks for the ‘passing parade’
! Have a jar of Simon Johnson’s wonderful preserved lemons in my own pantry too . . . My own are all used up.
Oh, what an interesting recipe…!!! ja,ja,ja
Yes, sometimes I use that word for not good things, just to be polite.
But now I’m using in it in the correct way
And was Hannah correct towards the end of yesterday’s blogging in saying you are in France, Milady
? And that it is your birthday time? Well, I kind’of seem to remember that from last year, so, if the cat is correctly out of the bag, hundreds of good wishes and hugs from autumnal Oz and am hoping you are having a fabulous time!! Actually picked you myself a day or two ago as being in Europe because of your sleeping/posting pattern 
! Have a ball!!
Believe it or not, I have a flour tortilla press. Yes, I bought one several years ago, used it once on flopped tortillas and it’s in my cupboard. Perhaps your recipe is what I needed to try making them again! I have a bean dip in the fridge just screaming for home made tortillas.
We can only get Lyles in a glass jar, how unfair is that?
I try to be honest, because once a long, long time ago I told my aunt she makes duck the best I’ve ever had (and it was the worst) and now she makes it EVERY time we visit. Really? Now there is no going back, sadly.
Forget the tortillas, I want the candy and the golden syrup and the Horlicks!! I made the mistake of buying the only golden syrup available at my local Coles, which came in a squeeze bottle. It had almost no taste. GAH. Must find Lyle’s!
I HATE YOU. I WANT CHOCOLATES FROM JPH TOO!
Those silicon molds look amazing, I’d love to see how they work. Next gadget you’ve got to buy is a tortilla press, no rolling and I think you can get them to have little patterns on them too!
My Dad uses the word ‘interesting’ whenever I come back from the hairdressers. He says it’s not a bad thing but I don’t know if I believe him :p
Bookmarked! My husband just came back from a business trip to Mexico and is now devouring STACKS of these. Oh, and yes, “interesting” is a great understatement. In the US people use it when they don’t know what else to say, but think they should be polite. It’s like saying “he’s a character!” LOL
Oh hey!! My friend and I were just discussing tortillas! We were saying how it isn’t easy to find really good flour tortillas. What a wonderful coincidence.
I can remember living in Mexico and walking down to the tortilla shop – we always had to buy tons to make up for those we had nibbled at (devoured) on the way home. Must try making them from your recipe.
I have the same egg whisk complete with the orange handle. Can’t remember how I acquired it. And I love giant smarties. They sell them at The Cook’s Larder in Avalon but that’s a bit of a trek. I needed some recently for a children’s birthday cake I was making and couldn’t find them anywhere. xx
Just copied this one down into my trusty spiral notebook and will try at the next chance. I love simple, from scratch recipes like this one that isn’t going to take an age to prepare and make me feel guilty when I just can’t find the time to do it – like bread making sometimes does.
I love making my own flat breads. They really are so easy and I challenge anyone to find anything better than freshly baked bread!
I change my wallpaper weekly! =D
ANZAC cookies will motivate me to turn my laptop on more and do some uni work this week
I love Horlicks! You don’t need a recipe to use it in, just drink it, hehe
Although I can recommend Nigella Lawson’s malteaser cake or Donna Hay’s malted oat and raisin biscuits if you really want to bake with it!
Will give these a go… sounds interesting and so many uses for them
Those silicon moulds are gorgeous! I can imagine the goodies out of these would look stunning. Love, love, love your flour tortillas…made from scratch is the best!
I cannot believe how easy these are to make – I did a similar post a while ago as they are ridiculously expensive here. Love the moulds
I love that old egg beater. My mother has one with a red wooden handle and I adore it! I’m impressed with your tortillas. I prefer corn tortillas to flour ones, but I’m sure these are WAY better than any flour tortillas in the shops. These might even sway me away from my beloved corn.
Delish! We make our own Gluten free corn flour tortillas too and they are so much better than the shop bought ones. We were going to have tostatas for dinner with pulled pork, but daughter turned it OFF after an hour instead of turning it DOWN! One happy doggy, but I’m not making him tortillas to go with the meat
I prefer to be diplomatic, but I will be brutally honest with my daughter when she gets home from work, and she will certainly have an ‘Interesting’ time!!
hi! lOVE your website! As a Mexican I can’t help commenting on your tortilla recipe. To make true Mexican flour tortillas you have to use shortening instead of oil, more water. Mix the shortening with the flour and add very harm water (hot enough to handle but not lukewarm) When the dough comes together take small pieces and shape round balls that you flatten a bit. Let the rest. with the rolling pin rolled them out as much as you like. Flour are not to be pressed like corn tortillas. The gluten needs to break down as you roll it. Make sure the pan or grilled is very hot when you put the tortillas on. You know the pan’s hot enough when the tortillas puff up, the you turn them over. Voila. You can also substitute 1/4 of sugar for the salt and make then about 3inches wide and 1/8 thick like a big cookie. They are delish! If you’re making flours from scratch why not make real Mexican refried beans? If you like and you don’t think I’m over-stepping my bounds here I can give you the recipe!
With your recipe that I trust, I might try making tortillas on my own. What a beautiful silicon molds!
I WANT those molds!!! Never realised how easy the tortillas would be, definitely on the to try list and as for the sugar stars, well 4th of July is coming up soon!
I have been meaning to make them for years… but the convenience wins out.
Probably because I have never tasted the real thing. Just like the first time I had real naan… have never been able to replicate it.
Beautiful tortillas! I will wrote down your recipe for next time
Your silicon baking ware is looking fantastic! I only bake in silicon baking tins! Yeah!
Your fridge is stuffed with sweets! Your home-made flour tortilla’s look like real winner’s & they look amazing! Well done!
YUM! That’s my kind of food!
I make all sorts of flatbreads but havent tried tortilla yet.. thats for the nudge. You can buy tortilla presses. The cast iron ones are lovely, whereas the plastic ones are “interesting” & would last 5 seconds in my kitchen.
I also have those ivory handled butter knives.. I buy them whenever I find them. They are the business for cutting butter into flour for scones.
I recently bought a tortilla press which I have yet to use. Your recipe looks so easy I may use it soon I think.
those anzac cookies looks awesome! and horlicks cake/cookies?
Ha ha… that rotary whisk isn’t really vintage Lorraine… I had one in the 1980-90s. My mother’s one, which I have now, is vintage. A lovely load of treasures in your kitchen. Love those silicone moulds!
I must make these – made pancakes tonight because we were out of bread but I think tortillas might have been more sensible! Love peek into your kitchen – lots of lovely things – the hand beater amuses me because my mum had one and I hated it but I now I quite fancy one myself
I’ve been thinking about these sorts of things lately; simple flour products that we so often use or have as restaurants but rarely make ourselves any more at home, yet they can have such an impact on our meals… tortillas are one example… noodles, “bing” (chinese pancakes of various types), breads, dumpling skins… there are a lot of things like these that I would like to try making myself rather than buying.
tortillas from the store are so tasty and inexpensive, i’ve never tried to make them myself. good for you–these look yummy!
too easy!
I love Glasshouse! Couldnt you jut walk around there for hours? Fab job on the tortillas!
Love those silicon molds and would almost swim to Australia (or closer) for Lyle’s Golden Syrup, which my grandfather bought by the case in the 50s…And when you visit SMA, we’ll have to get you a tortilla press which makes it a snap to produce fabulous tortillas without the rolling process.
I love the term “interesting” and have had it applied to both me and my house and clothes quite a few times when I suspect it was less than flattering–but still, I warmed to it.
Yum, those tortillas look so good. What flour combo would you recommend as a gluten free replacement?
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