Tortillas (particularly flour ones) are a staple at our house and not just because we eat a lot of Mexican food. They are inexpensive to buy and easy to make. We eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and even dessert! The possibilities are limitless when you realize how versatile they are–and there need not be a jalapeno or frijole in sight.
Here are five of our favorite non-Mexican-food ways to enjoy our flour tortillas:
1. Breakfast burritos. I make these at least once a week (mostly for supper) since we have chickens and always have an abundance of eggs. They usually consist of scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and either bacon or sausage (from our pigs). Sometimes we throw in cheese or skip the meat. Really you can put whatever you like in them. Whatever you like in your scrambled eggs would probably be delicious wrapped in a warm tortilla and you don’t even need a fork or a plate!
2. Crispy dogs. I have had more of these than I should admit. They start with a large flour tortilla. Lay your favorite hot dog in the center, spoon over some chili and sprinkle on some shredded cheddar cheese. Add a few chopped onions if you like. Then wrap the whole thing up tightly, closing the ends, and secure the seam with a toothpick. Finally, (get this!) you deep fry it. You can thank me later.
3. Leftovers. What’s in your fridge? Chicken salad? Smoked sausage? Roasted veggies? Flour tortillas will hold just about anything and can make for a quick, portable lunch.
4. Fried with dip. Fried flour tortilla chips are wonderful in cheesy dips like spinach or artichoke and are easy to make at a moment’s notice. Just cut into wedges and fry them in about an inch of hot oil in an iron skillet.
5. Fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Need I say more? They can be drizzled with honey or you can spoon some warm preserves over the top. YUM.
Kelly in TX blogs at Sowell Honey Farm.
Do you have a recipe post or kitchen-related story to share on the Farm Bell blog?
Go here to read information and submit a post to the Farm Bell blog.
Want to subscribe to the Farm Bell blog? Go here.
Maribeth says:
Great post Kelly! I have to try the Crispy dogs! How long do they need to deep fry to get the hotdog done?
On March 25, 2011 at 6:09 am
glenda says:
I am a recent user of tortillas and I love their versatility. I love them for breakfast with scrambled eggs, a strip of bacon and a little salsa.
Do you have a favorite recipe for making them?
On March 25, 2011 at 7:12 am
aprilejoi says:
Kelly- I kept looking at your post for your homemade flour tortilla recipe! Being a West Coast girl I grew up (and have raised my mid-west kids on) tortillas with everything. We had a gas stove and we would warm the tortillas directly on the flame! My guilty pleasure is a Koegal hot dog wrapped in a tortilla=glad to hear others know the joy!
On March 25, 2011 at 7:15 am
Astrid says:
We love tortilla’s, but unfortunately in Canada I don’t find them cheap.
Thank goodness they are easy to make, so that is what I do.
Thank you for the ideas….but I think I stick with the breakfast burrito and don’t let my boys read this posting 😉
On March 25, 2011 at 8:47 am
jeri says:
A staple here too, we make Mexi-burgers, and chicken sandwiches too. Plus we use them for dipping our hummus. Also use a lot of Naan bread.
On March 25, 2011 at 11:13 am
ShellyBell says:
Maribeth – not long. When the outside is crispy and golden, the inside is usually molten-lava hot.:)
I guess I’d better post my recipe for making them! I’ve had (Texan) Mexican friends from the time I was a little girl showing some “tricks” to make them perfect yet I still had to work on my technique for quite a while. The quickest way to make them is with masa harina if you can find it. It’s basically flour tortilla mix – you just add warm water – and they are really good!
On March 25, 2011 at 11:51 am
ShellyBell says:
Ooops – meant to say harina preparada. White Wings is the brand to get.
On March 25, 2011 at 11:56 am
aprilejoi says:
Thanks Kelly.
On March 25, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Kenya Cook says:
I keep them on hand all the time. I have an electric tortillas press which makes them super easy and quick to make. We usually make a batch every Friday. Flour, oil, salt and hot water is all my recipe calls for. But I’ve NEVER fried them with hot dogs, cheese and chili inside, yum!
On March 25, 2011 at 2:09 pm
rileysmom says:
I’ve just started making my own flour tortillas, but they don’t look like your picture…..yet? One day?
On March 25, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Brenda H. says:
I recently moved to west Texas and went in to a grocery store where they make fresh tortillas daily, I bought some this morning and they were still warm. I think I will have to start to make my own if it’s that easy.
On March 25, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Darlene in North GA says:
I fry them up in some oil and then pour vinegar and salt on them! YUM! YUM!
On April 6, 2011 at 1:02 am
mjw says:
I would love to have your tortilla recipe. Your ideas for meals are great.
On April 7, 2011 at 1:45 pm