Cool reference for kitchen conversions

Below is a great reference for converting measurements. This chart is handy for those times when you may need to convert 1/3 cup to tablespoons.

 

Source:  http://sblattindesign.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/measure-up/

Flour Tortillas Like Rio Bravo Used To Make

There used to be a restaurant in Nashville called Rio Bravo.  Rio had great Tex/Mex food and made all of the tortillas in-house, fresh and warm.  Unfortunately, the Rio Bravo chain had to file for bankruptcy, so Nashville lost a great eating establishment.

It is easy to Eat At Home and make your own flour tortillas.  Unlike corn tortillas, which require mesa harina cornmeal, flour tortillas can be made with ingredients you probably already have.

The "comal" is a flat cast iron pan.  Cast iron takes a little while to heat, but retain heat for quite a while.  For my stove, I started at level 6 (on a 10-point range) and then decrease to 5 (medium) for cooking the tortillas.  No oil is required on the pan. 

Ingredients (makes eight 6-inch tortillas)

• 2C Flour
• 1t baking powder
• 1/2 t salt
• 2T Olive oil
• 3/4C warm water

Directions

1. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Mix in oil and rub the flour with a fork or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
3. Add the water and form into a dough.
4. Let the dough rest 10 minutes.
5. Divide into eight pieces and form into balls.
6. Let the tortilla balls rest 5 minutes.
7. While the dough is resting heat your comal or nonstick pan over medium heat.
8. Roll out the tortillas on a well-floured surface.
9. Place on an ungreased pan and heat for 45 seconds on each side.

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Irish Soda Bread

St. Patrick's Day, the primary time that Americans celebrate their Irish heritage, has already passed for this year.   However, you can enjoy a taste of the Emerald Isle any time by whipping up this quick bread.  In Europe, baking soda became available and popular in the mid 19th century.  The baking soda interacts with the acidity of the buttermilk to create the leavening action.

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Spray a baking pan with nonstick spray and coat with flour.

Ingredients

• 3/4C raisins
• 2C flour
• 3/4t baking soda
• 1/2t salt
• 1T sugar
• 2t caraway seeds
• 3/4 + 1T buttermilk
• 1T melted butter (optional)

Directions

1. Place raisins in a small sauce pan and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer while preparing other ingredients.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, and caraway seeds.
3. Remove raisins from stove and drain.  Add to dry ingredients.
4. Add buttermilk and stir to combine.  A soft dough will form.  
5. Place on the baking pan.  Using a large knife, score a large "x" into the top of the loaf, about an inch deep.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes, until the internal temperature is 200 degrees.
7. Cool on a rack before slicing.

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Serendipity Sesame Crackers

From time to time you might set out to make or do one thing and end up doing another.  Pavlov actually started out studying the digestive tracks of dogs, but soon realized that conditioning dogs to salivate when he rang a bell was much more interesting.

We wanted to make crackers with basil and sun dried tomato, but alas, had neither of those ingredients.  Instead we may these fantastic sesame/sun flower crackers that are somewhere in between sesame sticks and crackers.  These hearty crackers are the perfect accompaniment to soups and snacks. 

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients

• 1C whole wheat flour
• 1/2C rye flour
• 1t salt
• 1/2C sesame seeds
• 1/4C sunflower seeds
• 1/2C water
• 3T olive oil

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well until combined into a dough.  You may have to finish mixing with your hands.
2. Place the dough on wax paper and cover with a second sheet of wax paper.
3. Roll out to 1/8-inch thick.
4. Peel off the top sheet of wax paper.
5. Score the rolled out dough to the desired number of crackers.
6. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Never buy peanut sauce again Peanut Sauce

Thai cuisine includes dishes with a peanut sauce component. A peanut sauce is versatile as it can be used as a dressing, dipping sauce, or as part of a main dish. Additionally, you can adjust the spice and sweetness levels to your preference.

Ingredients

• 1/3C creamy peanut butter (fresh grind from Whole Foods works well)
• 1 stalk lemongrass – white bulbous part only, finely minced
• 1 fresh red chili pepper (serrano pepper) – finely minced
• 1T soy sauce
• 1/2T brown sugar
• 1T sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
• 2T lemon juice
• 2t grated fresh ginger
• 1t Sriracha chili sauce
• 3T coconut milk

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until well blended. Add additional Sriracha if desired.

Douglas G Pratt, 2014

Better than mad cows vegan roast

This recipe makes a vegan roast that can used in sandwiches, casseroles, or as a main dish (served with mash potatoes, gravy, and a vegetable or two). Two ingredients in the broth - walnuts and caramelized onions - give the roast a dark, rich texture.

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4C walnuts
• 2C water
• 1t salt
• 1T beef style seasoning
• 2t paprika
• 1/4t celery salt
• 1/4C nutritional yeast flakes
• 2 1/4C vital wheat gluten flour
• 2T flour]\

Directions

1. Saute onion and garlic. This recipe is best with slightly caramelized onions.
2. While onion and garlic are cooking, combine walnuts, water, salt, nutritional yeast flakes, and seasonings (everything but the flours) in a blender.
3. Mix the flours in a large bowl.
4. When the onion mixture is ready place the mixture in the blender and blend until smooth, usually a couple of minutes.
5. Pour the liquid mixture into the flour and stir until well combined and a dough forms.
6. Shape the dough into a roll about 8 inches long.
7. Wrap the roll tightly with parchment paper and then with foil.
8. Bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours (120 minutes).
9. The roll should be firm and the internal temperature slightly less than 200 degrees.

Douglas G Pratt, 2014