Native American Tortillas in a Bag

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour**
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening
1/2 cup hot water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a large self-locking plastic bag, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Close bag and shake to mix. Add shortening and work into flour until fine particles form. Add the hot water and knead the dough in the bag until it forms a ball.

Remove dough from bag and place on a lightly floured work surface; knead 15 strokes. Divide into six equal pieces; shape into balls. Cover; let rest 15 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece as thin as possible. Roll from the center out, turning several times to form an 8-inch circle.

Heat an ungreased griddle or skillet over medium heat. Cook until the surface begin bubble and the under side is speckled golden-brown, about 15 to 20 seconds. Cook other side. Stack tortillas under a cloth as they are done and serve warm. Makes 6 tortillas.

**Variations: Use ½ cup corn meal and 1 cup all-purpose flour, or use ¾ cup whole wheat flour and ¾ cup all-purpose flour.

Quick Meal Idea: Lightly brush cooked tortillas with oil. Bake tortillas on baking sheets in oven for 4 minutes. Top with browned ground beef or pork, black beans, onion, chopped tomato, shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Season with dried oregano leaves; return to the oven and heat 10 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

Calories/Serving: 150 calories/tortilla Servings: Provides 6 tortillas Nutrition: One enriched flour tortilla provides approximately: 150 calories, 3 g protein, 23 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 5 g fat (2 g saturated), 2 mg cholesterol, 40 mcg folate, 1 mg iron and 286 mg sodium.

Source: Wheat Foods Council

Notes from Pete:  Thanks to Suzanne's mention at the Wheat Council site, I looked around a bit and found this recipe that looks very much like a family goody called "pan bread."  We had it at family reunions, but that was the only time I got to enjoy it.  Of course, I never got the recipe.  But, there was a group of the older mamas sitting around one evening making these, and they were delicious!