Flour Tortillas

Homemade Flour Tortillas

3 C flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 C warm water

1 Tbsp shortening or 3 Tbsp olive oil

Mix together flour, baking powder and salt.  Add in water and oil or shortening and mix until combined.  Knead with hands on a floured surface until smooth.  Divide into 10-12 balls.  Cover with a towel and let sit for 10-15 minutes. To form tortilla, roll out each ball of dough using your rolling pin until thin.

Preheat griddle or frying pan to about 350-375 degrees.  Place tortilla on griddle an allow to cook until it begins to bubble and blister.  Turn tortilla and cook other side until golden brown spots form.  Stack tortillas on a plate under a towel to keep them soft and warm.

Dinner Rolls

This is my favorite roll recipe because it is so versatile. By using the same recipe you can mold the dough into different shapes to give it variety like: Crescent rolls, Bow-Knot rolls, and Pan rolls.

(Makes 24 lg. rolls)
1 1/2 cups very warm water
2 eggs
1 cube butter, softened
5 cups bread flour
6 tablespoons dry, instant milk
6 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons salt
2 pkgs Rapid rise yeast

Directions:
Combine the warm water and sugar together in the mixing bowl. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast on the top of the water. Let stand 5 minutes to "proof" your yeast. After the yeast has become foamy add the remainder of the ingredients. Knead the dough either by hand or in a mixer until gluten has formed and dough feels elastic. Allow dough to rise until doubled approximately 1 hour. Roll out dough to desired shape and size. Let rise again for an additional 30-40 minutes.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Enjoy!

Veggie Wraps

Veggie Wraps are a great snack or meal. Fill them with lettuce, shredded carrots, thinly sliced cucumber, and avocado and if you'd like meat, add deli meat and a slice of cheese and roll it tightly and serve! My kids get them for lunch and afterschool. Have fun and get creative!

Vegan "Cheezy" Sauce

1C. Water
1/2 c. raw cashews
12 oz. jar of pimentos or 1/4 cup roasted red peppers

2 tbsp. nutritional  yeast flakes
1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Blend all ingredients until very smooth. Pour into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring until thick and bubbly.

Wheat Naan Bread

Wheat Naan Bread

Ingredients:

• White bread flour - 1 cup
•  Wheat flour- 1 cup
• Vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon.
• Salt - 1 teaspoon 
• Baking powder - 1 tea spoon.
• Sour curd (yogurt) - 1/2 cup
• Water - ½ cup or as needed.
• Some plain flour for dusting.

Preparation

• Mix flour, salt, baking powder, curd, salt and oil in a big bowl.
• Add water little by little and form soft dough. The dough should not be too tight.
• Knead well. Keep aside in a warm place for 3-4 hours or more, till the dough rises.

Making Naan:

1. Knead the dough again till it is smooth.
2. Divide in 4 big portions.
3. Sprinkle a little flour on the board. Place a dough ball on it and pat in a thick oblong or round shape as you like. You can also use a rolling pin if you wish.
4. Heat oven or grill .  Place the rolled naan on it and cook on both sides till brown spots appear.

Once the bread is done, add your favorite sauce or pesto sauce then top with fresh uncooked veggies, my favorites( onion, green, orange, red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini slices,). I prefer without cheese but if you do add cheese, just lightly sprinkle on top.  Cook for 10 minutes until cheese melts and veggies are lightly cooked. Enjoy!!

Zucchini and Carrot Muffins

These tasty zucchini muffins would also be delicious with about 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans, either in addition to the carrots or to replace them.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups finely shredded unpeeled zucchini
• 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot

Preparation:

Grease and flour 12 muffin cups. Heat oven to 375°.

In a mixing bowl, beat the oil with eggs, sugars, and vanilla extract.

Combine the flour, soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; add to the wet ingredients; stirring until blended. Fold in the shredded zucchini and carrots.

Fill muffin cups about 3/4 full; sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or granulated sugar, if desired. Bake for 20 minutes. Voila!

Pupusas Recipe : A Delicious Salvadorean dish, version one

1.- Obtain tortilla instant corn flour such as Maseca and mix with water until its consistency is such that the masa (dough) does not stick to your hands.

2.- Use refried beans and mix with 'Oaxaca' (you can buy this cheese at a Mexican supermarket or replace or blend with another soft cheese, like mozzarella. Mix until the consistency is similar to the masa prepared in step 1.

3.- Take the masa in your hands and make a ball about two inches in diameter. Once you finish, make a hole with your fingers, take some refriend beans and cheese mix (from step 2) and fill the hole with it.

4.- Cover the hole with the masa and flatten by using your hands in a clapping motion. This takes practice but the goal is to make a disc.

5.- Once you are done, place the pupusa on a preheated flat iron skillet. Leave it there until each side is cooked by noticing the dark spots (you'll need to flip the pupusa periodically).

Variations :

• Pupusas de Queso(Mexican cheeses): Use grated quesillo, queso fresco, queso Oaxaca, mozzarella, monterey or a combination. Add some minced green chile if you like.
• Pupusas de Chicharrones: With a filling of fried chopped pork that is made on a daily basis and found in Latino Grocery stores.  
• Pupusas de Frijoles Refritos: With a refried bean filling.
• Pupusas Revueltas: Use a mixture of chicharrones, cheese and refried beans.
• Pupusas de Queso y Loroco: With a cheese and tropical vine flower filling.Loroco can be found in jars at many Latin markets.
• Pupusas de Arroz: A variety of pupusa that uses rice flour instead of corn masa.
• Other Fillings: Cooked potatoes or finely minced, sautéed jalapeño peppers are also tasty fillings. Try a mixture of different fillings.