WHY do I do this to myself??? About This Page:

[graygables]

DDs wanted fajitas for dinner. I have no flour tortillas, so I look up a recipe on allrecipes.com. Found an easy one, made it up and, DANG, but those are good tortillas! 9yo said they were, "exquisite". (drama queen ) So, add tortillas alongside croutons on the list of things I must make myself since I spoiled everyone.

Do you have any recipes for good stuff that would be easier to just buy already made?

[WDWJAMBA]

I went through a phase where I made all of our bread and cookies from scratch rather than buying them. It took up more time than I had, so it wasn't convenient to continue.

I am getting a bit more conscious about the additives they put into things, so I think it's great that you make them from scratch.

[MELLAMOUSE]

I started making Paula Deen's Chicken Noodle Soup. It takes some time but I don't think we'll go back to canned anytime soon.

BTW Could you possibly post the tortilla recipe? I'm really trying to do as much from scratch as possible now because I want to have more say in what goes in our mouths. With so many food additives now I really am trying to make healthier choices for my family.

[graygables]

It was painfully easy :
5 cups flour (I used 1/2 white, 1/2 white whole wheat)
1/2 cup shortening (but I used about 2 Tablespoons Smart Balance and the rest coconut oil...it's healthier!)
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cup boiling water

I dumped all the dry in my kitchenaid with the oils and set it to spin with a bread hook. Dumped in the boiling water and let it knead. I did add an additional probably 1/2 cup flour (it was humid today). Roll into balls (between tennis and golf ball sized) and set to rest for an hour (up to 8, but mine only had about 45 minutes). I used my electric griddle so I could do 2 at a time, but a skillet, preheated would work, too (do NOT grease!). Dust a surface with flour and roll each ball into a very thin circle (like shape...some of mine were more hearts and I was hoping for a Mickey, but could never get it right!) Place on hot skillet and watch for it to "bubble". When it does, give it a flip for about 30 seconds and remove to a towel (to cover and keep warm). It took about 15 minutes of production time and the recipe made about 18 8" tortillas with my double-wide griddle.

[scottjs]

Dawn you sound like a great cook!!! I am pathetic!!! I can sort of boil water though I usually burn it!!!

[chezp]

Congrats on making those from starters. I used to make a lot of cakes that would've been easier to buy, but now I just find sadly I don't have the time any longer.

[revral]

Dang. Now I'm craving fresh homemade tortillas. My aunt (dad's brother's wife) is mexican so growing up I ate alot of homemade tortillas. Most of them warm out of the pan with a little butter or margarine. Yummm. Thanks for the trip down memory lane and the recipe Dawn. I've taken to making my own bread. I have a machine so I literally put the ingredients in, plug it in, set it, push the start button and walk away for few hours. I also just replaced my ice cream maker that died so I'll be making my own ice cream again.

[graygables]

Originally Posted by scottjs

Dawn you sound like a great cook!!! I am pathetic!!! I can sort of boil water though I usually burn it!!!

Scott, I always say if you can read, you can cook. Seriously, my mom is a TERRIBLE cook, so I learned from reading the cookbooks. Obviously, there is some basic knowledge in measurements and terms (like saute and such), but you can get that from Joy of Cooking. It also helps to watch a LOT of Alton Brown shows! These tortillas were super easy. Toss some beef kabobs on your George Foreman grill and brush them with a little Italian dressing, splash of soy sauce, bit of lemon juice, and a good sprinkle of cilantro, then nestle them in a homemade tortilla for a different fajita experience!

[Disney_Scarlett]

Oooh, sounds so good. My sister makes her own tortillas too, and they are better.

My mom makes her own croutons and never buys chicken salad or egg salad or stuff like that from the grocery store/deli - she makes it herself. I can't stand jar spaghetti sauce, we always make our own. Can't think of anything else, really.

[Colexis Mom]

They sound delish

[MELLAMOUSE]

Thanks for the recipe. I'll have to try this soon.

[RobDVC]

Clever!

[DopeyGirl]

Tortilla chips.

Well, I have to buy the corn tortillas, of course, but I buy them in the stacks of 100 due to the fact that we use them so often. We use them for enchiladas . . . I cook them in butter and just eat them . . . I fry them up into shells when we have tacos . . . but best of all, I never buy tortilla chips anymore becuase I would much rather make fresh ones on my own.

I also make regular corn and flour tortillas on occasion. I have come to the conclusion that I will never make them as well as the little ladies in my favorite mexican restaurant in San Diego, though. :

[Chrissi]

Lattes and Cappuccinos. My DH makes them since Starbucks is a major treat these days. Besides, my DH's are better. Makes you realize just how bitter Starbucks coffee is.

I also make my own chocolate-covered treats for holidays and gifts. As a former chocolatier, I just can't see spending $14/lb. for something I can make in my own kitchen for less than half that and just as well.

On the other side of that coin - I grew up with real gravy (marinara sauce), but I think the stuff in the jar can be every bit as good with a little tweaking.

[Skatetigger]

I have been on a gucamole kick lately so I make that from scratch as i can control how spicy it is. I am getting pretty good at picking out the right avocados too.

Oh we have now been making popcorn instead of using Microwave popcorn. We have a whirly pop that we love(we actually used it so much we think we have to get a new one). I use a bit of canola oil and the corn and the add salt and it's SOOOOO good

My mom use to make us homemade croutons all the time. They were soo good.
Dawn-How do you make your croutons?