Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Buttermilk

you can easily make your own "buttermilk" but taking 1 cup of milk and adding a couple teaspoons of cider vinegar to it (lemon juice works too), stirring and letting it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes. The milk will curdle a bit and might even separate but it's fine to use. Even milk that has soured from age is safe to use in baking recipes that call for buttermilk. 

Sunday, October 26, 2014

sesame seed oil

The best substitute for sesame oil is to make it yourself with sesame seeds and a vegetable or canola oil. For every 1 tbsp of sesame oil needed, sauté 1½ tsp of sesame seeds in ½ tsp of vegetable or canola oil.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Salisbury Steak



Ingredients
  • 1 pound of Ground Round Beef
  • 1/4 teaspoon of Black Pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon of Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 whole Egg
  • 1/4 cup of dry Bread Crumbs
  • 2 Tablespoons of Butter
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 Tablespoons of Flour
  • 2 cups of Water
  • 2 teaspoons of Beef Bouillon Granules or 2 cubes
Instructions
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the Beef, Black Pepper, Salt, Garlic Powder, Worcestershire Sauce, Bread Crumbs and one whole Egg. Stir mixture together well.
  2. Shape into 4-6 equal sized patties.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium heat for about a minute, and then add Butter.
  4. Place meat patties in skillet and brown on both sides for about 4-5 minutes each.
  5. Combine 2 cups of hot Water, 2 teaspoons (cubes) of bouillon and 2 tablespoons flour. Mix well and pour into pan slowly
  6. Cover, Bring to a boil, reduce heat a little,  and let simmer for about 15 more minutes. 
  7. Shut off heat and let cool some before serving
You could use beef broth instead of the bouillon and water

Rice Cereal for Babies

Ingredients:
1/4 c. rice powder (brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water
Directions:
1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
2. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
3. Serve warm.

Note: 1/4 cup uncooked organic rice will yield 16 ounces of baby food

Sunday, October 19, 2014

tortillas

FLOUR TORTILLAS:

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
⅓ cup vegetable oil
1 cup warm water
  • Combine flour, salt and baking powder in the bowl of a stand mixer. With the dough hook attached mix dry ingredients until well combined. Add oil and water with mixer running at a medium speed. Mix for 1 minute, stopping several times to scrape the sides of the bowl. After about 1 minute, or when mixture comes together and begins to form a ball, decrease mixing speed to low. Continue to mix for 1 minute or until dough is smooth. IF YOU'RE NOT BLESSED WITH A FANCY MIXER, JUST MAKE THE DOUGH BY HAND. THAT'S HOW WE DO IT.

  • Transfer from mixing bowl to a well-floured work surface. Divide dough in half, then in half again. Continue until you have 16 fairly equal portions. Form each piece into a ball and flatten with the palm of your hand as much as possible. If dough is sticky, use a bit more flour. Cover flattened balls of dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rest for 15 minutes before proceeding.

  • Roll each dough piece into a rough circle, about 6-7 inches in diameter, keep work surface and rolling pin lightly floured. Don’t stack uncooked tortillas on top of each other or they will get soggy.

  • Heat a large pan over medium/medium-high heat. 

  • When pan is very hot, place one dough circle into pan and allow to cook 30 seconds-1 minute or until bottom surface has a few pale brown spots. The uncooked surface will begin to show a few little bubbles. If tortilla is browning too fast, reduce heat a bit. If it’s taking longer than a minute to see a few pale golden brown spots on underside of tortillas, increase heat a bit. Flip to other side and cook for about 30 seconds. You want the tortilla to be soft but have a few small pale golden brown spots on surface. Remove from pan with tongs and stack in a covered container or zippered bag till all tortillas are cooked. This will keep them soft and pliable.

  • Wipe out the pan in between tortillas if flour has started to accumulate.

  • Serve warm or allow to cool for later use. When ready to use, place a slightly damp paper towel in the bottom of a container (with a cover) that will hold the stacked tortillas. Microwave, uncovered for 15-25 seconds (start with 15) or until warm, then cover to hold heat while serving.

  • The tortillas will keep well stored in an airtight container or zippered bag at at room temperature for 24 hours or can be frozen indefinitely. To freeze, separate tortillas with parchment paper or waxed paper and place in a zippered bag before placing in freezer.

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       Corn Tortillas and Tortilla Chips

1 cup masa harina
½ -3/4 c hot water
½ tsp salt


  • Mix the masa harina and salt in a bowl.
  • Slowly add hot water and mix until a dough forms and you can shape it into a ball. Start by stirring with a spatula, then knead a few times with your hands.
  • Form into a ball and let sit for 30-60 minutes.
  • Divide dough into 8 sections and roll into balls.
  • Cut a ziploc bag around the edges so that you have two pieces of plastic (or use parchment paper).
  • Place a dough ball in between two pieces of plastic. Use a plate to flatten the ball into a circle. It may help to place it on the floor and stand on the plate to flatten (or use a rolling pin).
  • Slowly peel back one of the pieces of plastic, being careful of the edges, then pull off the other side of the plastic.
  • Drop into a hot non-stick or cast iron pan.
  • Let cook for one minute, flip and cook a minute more. The tortilla should start to puff up while cooking. If it doesn't. flip it one more time.


FOR CORN CHIPS: Just cut the tortillas into triangles, spray with a bit of olive olive and sprinkle with a little bit of salt!
Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes 

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Pizza Casserole

1 lb hamburger
2 cups uncooked macaroni
2 cups pizza sauce
4 oz sliced pepperoni
2 cups shredded cheese
1 cup black olives
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Cook hamburg
add sauce
Cook macaroni
drain
mix with hamburg and sauce
Put in casserole dish
top with pepperoni and cheese
bake 350 for 30 mins

Taco Casserole




1 lb hamburger
1 pkg taco seasoning or 1 oz homemade taco seasoning
3/4 cup water
1 cup rice
1/2 cup shredded cheese (more or less to your liking)
chopped tomatoes
chopped lettuce
crunched corn chips
black olives

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Cook hamburger and simmer with taco seasoning and water for 10 mins.

Cook rice and put in bottom of small casserole dish.

Cover rice with hamburger mixture.

Cover with cheese, put in oven long enough to melt cheese.

Remove from oven.

Top with crunched corn chips, lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, etc.