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J.I.T. wholewheat Tortillas
#1
Boondocking-wise, bread/etc is a problem, so during my too-condensed planning phase, I researched homemade tortillas, on the theory that I could make small batches "just in time". Smile

In general, flatbreads are ideal for this, with most comprised of very few ingredients, and they're pan-fry-able. Tortillas are particularly simple (flour & oil & water) for beginners like me. Smile
Eventually, my goal is to try Naan, and English Muffins!

In late May, while in temp housing, I made two separate mini batches, and they worked out ok. I still need to build my skill, and experiment more. I barely kneaded them and probably should have made them flatter.

After mixing & rolling into two small balls:
[Image: vd_jit_tortilla_01.jpg]

After flattening & cooking (with soda can for scale, and my butane stove):
[Image: vd_jit_tortilla_02.jpg]

Next, I made bacon and eggs:
[Image: vd_jit_tortilla_03.jpg]

Everything together:
[Image: vd_jit_tortilla_04.jpg]
Tastee! Smile

I weighed my butane canister before & after, and it took 6.7 grams to fry the two tortillas (bacon&eggs took 3.6 g), so the tortillas cooking cost was about five cents.
After I get a/the van, and build some skills, I'll update with more pics & detailed costs.

P.S. One of my favorite shows on PBS is "The Great British Baking Show".
Jim's awesome solar oven posts give me hope that I can continue my fumbling baking education. Smile
"Cause how you get there is the worthier part." Shephard Book to Kaylee, Firefly
[Image: dobby.png]

2019-Dec update:
I've escaped Winter!
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  • MN C Van (08-28-2018)
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#2
Wow! I've always admired those who can make their own food!
Sometimes dweller in 237k miles '07 Grand C-van w/ a solar powered fridge and not much else
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#3
(08-28-2018, 05:49 AM)MN C Van Wrote: Wow! I've always admired those who can make their own food!

Thanks!
Flatbreads are a great gateway Beginner food.
I'll bet you've made pancakes, right?!?
Tortillas are just pancakes with fewer ingredients and kneading. Smile
"Cause how you get there is the worthier part." Shephard Book to Kaylee, Firefly
[Image: dobby.png]

2019-Dec update:
I've escaped Winter!
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#4
Ran out of bread/etc last week, so am now up to 5 or 6 batches of these, with much improvement. Smile

The key changes that vastly improved them:
  • thinner
  • less oil in pan (strictly speaking, if you have a no/low stick pan, you don't need any oil/etc)
  • somewhat hotter heat

Here's the last batch I made...

with rehydrated dehydrated onions & a SPAM Single, both fried:
[Image: vd_jit_tortilla_05.jpg]

with reconstituted butter powder (yes, I'll post a thread on that, too, if anyone is interested):
[Image: vd_jit_tortilla_06.jpg]

Both were delicious. Smile


Here's the ingredients for making a batch of four medium tortillas:
  • 1 cup wholewheat flour
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons oil (any should work, I've mostly used olive oil)
  • 1/3 cup water
Mix the flour and oil, add the water, mix.
If it's too sticky, you may want to add more flour, or if there's still some loose flour you may want to add a tiny amount of water. Less sticky makes clean up easier.

Knead for a couple of minutes, form into a ball, let "rest" (uncovered in the bowl) for 20 or so minutes.

Separate into four (4) parts, roll, squish well, heat pan to medium-high, fry (with or without oil/etc) for about 1-2 minutes each side.

Every batch I've made in a single bowl, and kneaded it "in the air" (just pressing & stretching in my hands instead of against a surface that would require cleaning).
For the best batches, I used a plate to squish against, flipped it, then squished some more.
It really is easy. Smile


Ignore the koolaid drinker claims that these are somehow delicious all by themselves. They're fairly plain, but my last two batches have been much tastier, and enjoyable merely on their own.

Note that the closest grocery store has extremely limited whole grain options (but lots o' brats&cheese). The big chain stores are more than a gallon of gas away, so I saved time, money, and angst. Smile
"Cause how you get there is the worthier part." Shephard Book to Kaylee, Firefly
[Image: dobby.png]

2019-Dec update:
I've escaped Winter!
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#5
MUCH more tricky with the necessity of gluten free cooking for the hub.. lol
But I have made reasonably successful flatbreads with 1.5-2 pt Br.rice and oat flour, 1 pt tapioca flour, and a smidge of buckwheat.
My body is a temple- Ancient and crumbling,  
probably cursed 


Dog Bender with 4.2 Stinkin' Badges 
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  • Kaylee (11-14-2018)
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#6
I saw a tortilla press recently and thought about it. I love fresh bread and make it as often as possible in the solar ovens.
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#7
Jim, ditto! Smile I'm really looking forward to your seminar, particularly checking out the low footprint models you've mentioned!
Have you posted picture(s) of those, folded?

I had never heard of a "tortilla press", and just searched Amazon... shiny! Smile
Though for small batches, it really is easy doing them by hand. Next batch, I might try using a saran-wrapped B&M bread can to roll them, to see if that saves time and does a thinner job.
Stay tuned, hacking bread is fun! Smile
"Cause how you get there is the worthier part." Shephard Book to Kaylee, Firefly
[Image: dobby.png]

2019-Dec update:
I've escaped Winter!
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#8
I learned to make regular bread during a blizzard in the 70s when we ran out of bread. Made it by hand for years. Then acquired a bread machine. Hubby took over bread making. All I ever did was shape it after that. I’ve never tried to make tortillas though. A solar oven sounds like I’d starve around here until spring.
I'm not lost. I'm exploring.
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  • Kaylee (11-25-2018)
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#9
Snik, that's exactly my original incentive to experiment:  carrying flour is an excellent backup, and gives one flexibility for boondocking. Smile

As a novice, until I get into a "groove", I won't really know how each two week move is going to work out, so having a core set of staples means all I'll need to acquire is water. Rural stores often have very few whole grain options, just lots of "wonder bread" grade stuff. :\

My understanding is that solar ovens can even be used in the North, as long as there's enough sun and the oven is pointed for maximum light. I look forward to learning from the Jedi SunMasters at YARC Camp. Big Grin
"Cause how you get there is the worthier part." Shephard Book to Kaylee, Firefly
[Image: dobby.png]

2019-Dec update:
I've escaped Winter!
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#10
Have you thought of adding herbs to the dough to ramp up the flavor?
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