Description
These sourdough tortillas are soft, chewy, and flavorful, infused with fragrant za’atar. They are perfect for elevating weeknight dinners and use up sourdough discard, offering a healthy and budget-friendly option for your family table.
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup active sourdough starter, (fed and bubbly)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.67 cup warm water, (approximately 40C / 105F)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons za’atar spice blend
- 0.5 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 medium lemon, zested
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the active sourdough starter, all-purpose flour, warm water, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, fine sea salt, and za’atar spice blend. Mix with a spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms and no dry flour remains, feeling just slightly sticky to the touch.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, springing back gently when poked. (If the dough feels too stiff, add a tiny splash (1 teaspoon) of warm water; if too sticky, dust with a little more flour.)
- First Rest (Bulk Ferment): Place the dough back into the bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rest at room temperature (ideally 20-24C / 68-75F) for 8-12 hours, or until it has noticeably increased in volume and become bubbly. This long rest is crucial for developing that amazing sourdough flavor and texture.
- Divide and Shape Dough: Gently turn the rested dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions (approximately 60-65g each) and shape each portion into a smooth ball. Place the dough balls on a lightly floured tray, cover, and let them rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten, making them easier to roll. They should feel noticeably softer and more pliable.
- Prepare Gremolata: While the dough rests, prepare the vibrant Lemon-Herb Gremolata. In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped fresh parsley, lemon zest from the entire lemon, and minced garlic clove. Drizzle with an additional 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and mix well until fragrant and bright green.
- Heat Skillet and Roll Tortillas: Heat a cast iron skillet or flat griddle over medium-high heat until hot; a drop of water should sizzle instantly. Meanwhile, on a lightly floured surface, take one dough ball and roll it out into a thin 15-20 cm (6-8 inch) round tortilla, about 1-2 mm thick. The za’atar flecks will be visible throughout the dough, giving it a beautiful speckled appearance.
- Cook Tortillas: Place one rolled tortilla onto the hot, dry griddle. Cook for 60-90 seconds until bubbles begin to form on the surface and the underside has light brown spots. Flip the tortilla and cook for another 45-60 seconds on the second side, until it puffs up and develops more brown spots and slightly charred edges. It should look golden-brown and slightly flexible.
- Keep Tortillas Warm: Transfer the cooked tortilla to a plate and cover it with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm and pliable while you cook the remaining tortillas. Repeat the rolling and cooking process with the rest of the dough balls. (For a quick weeknight shortcut for family dinners, you can roll out several tortillas before cooking to speed up the process.)
- Serve Tortillas: Arrange the warm, za’atar-flecked sourdough tortillas in a slightly offset stack. Spoon a generous amount of the vibrant green Lemon-Herb Gremolata over the top, allowing its fresh flavors to highlight the tortillas’ golden-brown and green-speckled appearance.
Notes
For busy cooks, using a stand mixer with a dough hook can make the kneading process quicker. You can also prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours after the first rest, making these perfect for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tortilla (68 g)
- Calories: 175 calories
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 5.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg