Flour Tortilla with Beans and Cheese (Honduran Baleadas)

Baleadas, stuffed flour tortillas, are thicker and less symmetric than their Mexican cousins and are most often spread with a thin layer of refried beans, shredded cheese, and sour cream before being turned over into a half moon. In the morning, scrambled eggs are tossed in for an ideal breakfast comfort food creation. A quick and satisfying breakfast, lunch or evening meal, baleadas are thick flour tortillas folded over a variety of fillings. The most common filling for baleadas is a simple mix of beans, cheese and the Honduran-style sour cream known as mantequilla. More elaborate fillings include meat, eggs and avocado. Customize to your taste. For a fast snack, you can use store-bought flour tortillas. But for authentic flavour, make your own. It's easy!

Simple Baleadas:
8 flour tortillas
2 cups refried beans
¼ cup mantequilla or aguia (cream)
½ cup queso duro, cotija or feta cheese, grated or crumbled

Special Baleadas:
1 recipe Simple Baleados
avocado, sliced
scrambled eggs

Super Special Baleadas:
1 recipe Special Baleadas
chorizo sausage, chicken or ground meat

Flour Tortillas:
2 cups all-purpose flour, unbleached
1 tsp. baking powder
1 pinch sea salt
½-¾ cup water or milk
3 Tbsp. butter, lard or oil

Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Stir in ½ cup of the water or milk to form a dough. Work in the butter, lard or oil until smooth. Add more liquid or flour as needed to form a smooth dough that isn't too sticky.

Remove the dough to a floured work surface and knead until smooth. Cover with a clean dish towel and set aside to rest for at least 30 minutes.

Heat an ungreased comal, griddle or skillet over medium flame. Cut the dough into 8 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball. Roll each ball out into roughly an 8" round, about 1/8" thick.

Place a dough round onto the hot comal and cook for about 1 minute on each side, or until the tortilla has browned spots and is lightly puffed. Set aside and repeat with the remaining dough rounds.

Assemble Baleadas:

Heat flour tortilla on a comal or griddle for 30 seconds on each side (if using store-bought).

Lay the tortilla flat on a plate. Spread the refried beans.

Sprinkle grated queso duro and add the crema.

Fold in half and enjoy.

Makes 8 tortillas.