If I were a taco-architect and someone asked me to build a skyscraper out of tacos, I would require the finest, the freshest, the BEST tortillas available on Earth. If I were a budget-conscious taco-architect, (or one that hailed from Siberia or somewhere else where the BEST tortillas are unavailable) I would make those tortillas personally. Well, lucky for you and the people who hired me to make a taco skyscraper (Hint: It was not Jack-in-the-Box), I HAVE made those tortillas personally and now I will spread the gospel of How to Make Tortillas to my fine cooking friends: YOU. A special thanks goes to Beau for the inspiration and the recipe (which I have changed slightly). Thanks, Beau!
While corn tortillas dominate through most of Mexico, when you get close to the US-Mexico border, you will find flour tortillas much more common. They are usually made with lard, but you can use oil (as I’ve done) or vegetable shortening. In fact, I’d say from my experience eating tacos and tortillas all across this great state, while lard is typical in Mexico and in the border towns on both sides, shortening becomes the preferred fat as you head Northward towards San Antonio. And while corn remains very popular to hold such fillings as carnitas and al pastor, flour tortillas are almost always what you will find cradling your breakfast tacos and accompanying your fajita plates.