Flour tortillas can easily be made at home. For an authentic flavour though, you do need to use lard, however, butter can be substituted. Here they are wrapped around a fresh-tasting smoked chicken filling and shallow-fried until golden and hot. They are an ideal nibble to accompany a spicy reisling or gewürztraminer.

Ingredients

Flour Tortillas

• 3 cups flour
• 1½ tsp salt
• 100 grams lard
• ¾ cup warm water

Smoked Chicken Filling

• 1 double breast smoked chicken
• 3 tomatoes, blanched and peeled (see Cook’s Tips)
• 3 spring onions, trimmed and chopped
• 2-3 tblsp chopped fresh coriander
• 3 tblsp jalepeno jam
• oil for frying

Method

1. Put the flour, salt and lard into a food processor and process until the lard is well-mixed in.
2. With the motor running gradually pour the water down the feed tube until the mixture has formed clumps of moist dough.
3. Turn the mixture out and bring together to form a smooth ball. Cover with a lightly floured clean tea towel and allow to rest for 30 minutes. While resting, prepare the smoked chicken filling.
4. Finely dice the chicken breast, tomatoes and spring onion and place in a bowl with the coriander and jalepeno jam. Season with pepper and mix gently.
5. Once the dough has rested, divide evenly into 20-24 pieces.
6. On a very lightly floured board, roll each piece of dough out to about a 15cm round. Brush the edges with water and place 1 tablespoon of filling into the centre. Rollup tucking the edges in as you roll. Press the edges and seal together firmly and place under the tea towel while finishing with the remaining tortillas and filling.
7. Heat sufficient oil in a deep-sided frying pan to about 1.5cm and heat carefully.
8. When hot, cook four-five tortillas at a time, turning regularly to cook evenly. Drain on absorbent paper and keep warm in a 140°C oven while you cook the remaining rolls. Serve warm.

Cooks Tips

- I like to remove the seeds and juice from the tomato for this recipe. Cut in half and squeeze out the seeds and juice and discard. - Jalapeno jam is made by Rattlesnake and can be purchased at good delicatessens. Substitute a spicy hot chutney or relish.