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Farm Kitchen:  Why buy it when you can just make it?  |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 02 2012 : 2:11:11 PM
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Ok, since spending time here, reading past issues of MJF Magazine and just kind of thinking in our lives, it's become harder to get my groceries! I walk around the store and look at things that I would normally get and think, why buy it when I could make it?
Take, for instance, today. My boys wanted rolled up sandwiches for lunch. I looked at the tortillas in the store and thought that I've always wanted to try to make them. I've seen blogs saying it was quite easy so I walked away, came home, found some good recipes and tried them out. Oh. My. Goodness!!!! They were so good. My boys have now asked me to never buy them again.
Anyone else have this "problem"? What have you learned to make at home that really, truly does taste better than the store bought version?
On a side note, I'm now going to get a tortilla press. I just don't have the time or patience to roll them out thin enough.
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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Bayou Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
252 Posts
Jennifer
Star City
Arkansas
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2012 : 2:18:49 PM
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Would you mind posting your tortilla recipe or a link? I would love to try them.
I used to go to a cafe in town on Saturday mornings to treat myself to western hashbrowns. It hit me one day that I could just stay in my pj's and make them at home. Now, that is one of the things my children get excited to see on the menu. They were so much better at home than at the cafe.
~Jennifer~
Farmgirl #3803
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2012 : 2:48:18 PM
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For years I haven't bought or made cakes much cause I didn't care for the frosting from most bakeries, or the canned stuff. I started recently making my own and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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marthajane
True Blue Farmgirl
196 Posts
Anna
Orlando
FL
USA
196 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2012 : 4:09:33 PM
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Heather-funny the icing is the only thing I like about store bought cake...I esp dislike the price of store bought cake!
Could you be willing to share your icing recipe I would appreciate it!
Also, have a hash brown story...Always enjoy them little round potatos from Hardees, and the hashbrowns from McD...now I buy them at the grocery store...I find the hashbrowns are the only breakfast treat I can't live without.
Finally,thanks for sharing the inspiration about the tortilla press...that sounds like a must have!
Happiness IS being a MOM |
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JThomp
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Justine
Raymore
Missouri
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2012 : 5:03:57 PM
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I'm finding that I'm thinking the same way more and more. We gave up store bought pizza crusts years ago and I make my own. I made my own vanilla extract for the first time last year and it was incredible!I'd love to try making tortillas. That is a favorite around here. We all like those big soft pretzels, so that is on my list of things to try to make soon. We got an ice cream maker for Christmas and I can't wait to try that out. I just love homemade ice cream but have never made it.
FarmGirl Sister#2904
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2012 : 5:31:21 PM
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Ok this is a loose recipe as I really don't measure things.
Approx 1/3 to 1/2 a 8 oz block of cream cheese
1 1/2 to 2 sticks of real butter (depending on how much I want to make).
a splash (around a teaspoon) of vanilla extract
and approx 2 cups of powdered sugar, I think I usually end up using more but I only measured the first time, after that I just pour in what looks right, mix, and keep adding more till I get the texture and flavor I want.
I use a rubber spatula to mix it all. Also if the cheese and butter are room temp it helps a lot! lol If you have beaters or a mixer though I have a feeling it would be a lot easier! haha
I have made chocolate version by just adding unsweetened cocoa powder. (in the baking section). Again I didn't measure just kept adding till it tasted like chocolate enough to me! haha
I plan on trying this with some fresh smashed strawberries and strawberry extract soon too.
The store bought frosting I have had the last few years taste like plastic and chemicals to me. And has a weird texture that sticks the tongue like grease! That's why I don't like it. The frosting above reminds me of what used to be sold at my favorite places. You can also make it with just butter and no cream cheese as well. Either way is really good! lol
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2012 : 08:27:16 AM
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Wendy, I'd love to have your recipe for tortillas too if you don't mind sharing. We use mostly corn tortillas since I can't do the flour ones, but hubby likes them once in a while.
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2012 : 08:55:29 AM
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Here's the recipe I tried yesterday. They turned out yummy!
From More With Less Cookbook:
Combine in mixing bowl:
2 C. unsifted flour
1 t. salt
Cut in with pastry blender:
1/4 C. lard or shortening
When particles are fine, add gradually:
1/2 C. lukewarm water
Toss with fork to make a stiff dough. Form into a ball and knead thoroughly on lightly floured board until smooth and flecked with air bubbles. Grease surface, cover tightly, and refrigerate at least 4 hours. (I was impatient and only let it sit for about 20 minutes at room temperature) let dough return to room temp. before rolling out.
Divide into 8 balls for large tortillas, 11 balls for 8 inch size. Roll as thin as possible on a lightly floured board. Drop onto a hot ungreased griddle. Bake until freckled on one side. (about 20 seconds) Flip to second side.
Although they did turn out yummy and the boys loved them, I'm not sure I had the dough completely right. Then again, I didn't let it set in the fridge. Oh, the rolling out part. Oh my goodness, that was tiring and I work out regularly! Definitely going to get a tortilla press.
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2012 : 10:50:21 AM
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I'll have to try the tortillas. As far as making it instead of buying it, I feed hubby, me and little man on $50-$80 a week, which as you know is not much. I can't afford to buy ingredience for things let alone the store bought stuff. I do the best I can, but these days, it's harder than it seems.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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GirlwithHook
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Alyce
Madison
WI
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2012 : 8:12:32 PM
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Heck, making it is a lot more fun than buying it in a store! That reminds me, I need to price yogurt makers....
A hook, a book, and a good cup of coffee.... |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2012 : 06:14:52 AM
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If you're ever wondering what's worth buying vs. making, there's a new book on that very topic (came out last fall).
http://www.amazon.com/Make-Bread-Buy-Butter-Shouldnt/dp/1451605870
The author, Jennifer Reese, also writes a blog. I haven't read the book yet, but I intend to. Her blog is a lot of fun to read--kids, chickens, goats, dieting--and I've discovered some great recipes from her suggestions.She cooks through one cookbook at a time and then decides whether it's worth investing in or not.
http://www.tipsybaker.com/ |
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sjmjgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
566 Posts
Stephanie
Mt. Vernon
Iowa
USA
566 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2012 : 1:30:00 PM
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Heather-That's the same recipe I've been using for years! FYI- when using strawberries, I found that I didn't even need the strawberry extract. Very good!
Farmgirl Sister # 3810
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
- Dalai Lama |
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nanr42
True Blue Farmgirl
160 Posts
Nan
WALDPORT
Oregon
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2012 : 8:23:12 PM
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I'm new to this forum, and I enjoy seeing what you're doing. I'd like to make tortillas, too. I've been having trouble doing my own cooking lately, partly because my mother died in 2008, and my schedule has changed. I"ve been using MJF Bakeover mix, and like it very much. But still, I'm having trouble getting back to the normal cooking. I have been going to the natural food store and getting a lot of stuff in bulk.
Also, it's not hard to make yogurt in the oven. I'll look for the recipe I"ve used. Also, making ricotta is super easy. |
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Farm Kitchen: Why buy it when you can just make it? |
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Why buy it when you can just make it?
