Tortillas

Seriously the best and easiest tortillas I have found!!  The method for rolling the dough out is the key.  (Obviously also the ingredients because I tried the method with a different recipe, and it failed.)  Try this at least 3 times before you give up on tortilla making! 

4 c. flour
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. oil
1 1/2 c. boiling water

Combine dry ingredients.  Mix in oil (expect lumps).  Stir in boiling water.  The dough should be soft and workable.  (Think playdough.)  As soon as you can touch it, mix it by hand.  Remaining oil lumps are still okay!

The awesome METHOD:

Grab a small handful of dough and shape into a ball.  If you want a round tortilla, get a round ball!  (As you get going, you'll find the right size ball/tortilla that you want.)   Start rolling out on a floured surface.  As soon as it turns oblong, turn over and rotate.  Roll again and turn again.  Keep flipping the tortilla over as you roll so you keep the shape and so the tortilla does not stick to the counter. 

Warm a flat skillet to 350 degrees.  Cook the tortilla for a minute-ish on one side and then flip!  They cook very similar to the store-bought uncooked ones.  LAST IMPORTANT STEP.  After cooking, place in a container with a lid (like a tortilla container) so the heat/moisture stay there.  It helps the tortillas be super soft and easy to fold into a burrito.  Amazing!!

Homemade Brown Bread

Homemade Brown Bread

1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup old fashioned oats
2 Tbsp shortening
2 tsp salt
1 package (1 Tbsp) active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
4 3/4 to 5 1/4 cups all purpose flour
Melted butter or margarine

In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients.  Cool to 110-115 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.  Sprinkle with sugar.  Add oat mixture, brown sugar, molasses and 3 cups flour; mix well.  Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.  Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl; turn once to grease top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.  Punch dough down.  Divide in half; shape into loaves.  Place in two 9x5x3 in. loaf pans.  Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30-45 min.  Bake @ 375 for 30-35 min. or until golden brown.  Remove from pans; cool. Brush with butter.  Yield: 2 loaves.

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread     (From Judy Riches)

Mix:                                                       Add:
3 1/2 c. flour                                          1 cup oil
3 c. sugar                                               2/3 c. water
2 tsp soda                                               4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp salt                                           2 c, pumpkin
1 tsp cinnamon                                       1 c, nuts
1 tsp nutmeg

Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.   Makes 1 large bundt pan or 2 loaves.