Home Made Tortillas

I have been making my own tortillas for about 2 years now. I am not sure how "authentic" they are. However, they are delicious and far better than any store bought tortillas I have ever come across.

My recipe (shown below) has directions for both mixing by hand and mixing in a food processor. Being a working mom, I have always used the food processor. I have been very happy with this process and have never attempted to venture further than that. Last night however I took the plunge. I made them entirely by hand. The only electronic assistance was from my stove top. It was surprisingly quick and extremely satisfying.

I have seen many recipes, most have lard or shortening. I don't use lard nor shortening for anything and don't plan to store it just for one recipe so, I like this recipe. My sister in law gave me the recipe, but I am pretty sure she didn't author it. I would love to give credit where it is due, I am just not sure who it is due to, regardless here it is.

Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas

1 Cup unbleached or all-purpose flour
1 Cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 Cup canola or vegetable oil (I use extra virgin olive oil)
2/3 Cup warm water

"For hand mixing:
Rub flour, salt, and oil together with your fingers until completely incorporated and fine crumbs form.

Pour water into dry ingredients and immediately work it in with a fork. Dough will be in large clumps. Sprinkle with flour and knead until smooth.

Allow dough to rest in a bowl covered, for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Roll out or press tortillas as flat as you would like, brown in frying pan on medium-high heat foe about 15-20 seconds per side. Place hot tortilla on a towel and cover with another towel. (I don't do this) After each tortilla is placed in the towel, lightly spray with a water bottle to keep tortillas moist. (Or this) Makes 8-10 medium sized tortillas. (I get closer to 8 fit in my pan to cook size)"

Okay so I haven't mastered the perfect round tortilla, but you should have seen my first few batches. Keep in mind this is a learned skill, it will take some practice.

For those, like me, that still want to use a food processor same ingredients as above and...

"Food Mixer:
Place flour and salt in bow of food processor. Add oil and process for about 3 seconds. With machine running, pour water through feed tube in a steady stream. Let machine run until dough forms a ball 4- 6 minutes. Allow dough to rest and prepare and cook same as above"

I usually double the recipe and put the extras in a zip-lock style bag and store them in the fridge for about a week (if they make it that long).

Soil Prep Class

So I am sure you are all wondering how the Soil Pep Presentation went at the Home and Garden Show. Well it went great. I am so glad to be associated with the Master Gardener program. Ever since I became certified, I have had quite a few opportunities to volunteer my knowledge and desire to help people learn about gardening. It was fun to talk about soil prep, which is a very essential part to a successful garden. A few key take aways from the show to keep in mind when preparing your own soil.

• Don't be afraid to work the Arizona soil it has an excellent base and 19 of the 20 micro nutrients a flourishing garden needs.

• Living organisms (bugs, algae, bacteria) are not all bad. Take the time to learn who is who!

• Compost Compost Compost if you add nothing else to your garden make it be compost! Compost can help overcome several of the challenges our native soil can have. More on composting to come.
  

• Find your motivation! Whatever your motivation is to garden find it and keep it real! Gardening is a learning experience. As in life you are bound to goof every once in a while. Stay positive and remember that every time you don't succeed, you are learning more and gaining more knowledge.

• Have fun! don't sweat the little stuff, but if you are remember there are tons of resources out there!

There are several things you can still be planting now. I am going to be planting more carrots in the next few days here. If you like peas go for it. Beets, Radishes, Green Onions, and Spinach just to name a few. Enjoy and Happy Gardening!

This is why I garden

This is one of those experiences as a mother that I am glad I have prepared for.

Earlier today my daughter came up to me and asked if she could have a carrot. I asked her where should we get the carrot from and her response was from the garden. How thrilled I was to have her know where carrots should come from.

I was so excited to have her pick her own carrot. She hasn't quite learned how to distinguish a more ripe carrot so hers was on the smaller side. She did however pick it all by herself. I helped her wash it and she thoroughly enjoyed eating it. After she was done we took the stem out to the compost bin and she put it in all by herself. She took full opportunity in having the lid off the compost to check out all the other waste that was in it.

This is why I garden. The feeling of being able to have vegetables available for my family to eat healthy is what helps give me the motivation that I need to overcome the discouragements that can sometimes come along with home gardening.

Happy Gardening Everyone!!

My Favorite Socks So Far

Since I am a crafter by heart, anytime I can combine crafts into something useful for my family I'm all over it. When I came across loom knitting I was hooked. My family has several pairs of handmade wools socks now, and I am sure they love it! Though I am not sure they would tell me otherwise.


A few days ago I finished this pair of socks for my 2 year old. This is by far my favorite pair of sock yet. The picture just doesn't do it justice! (and I probably should have taken the picture before my daughter wore them all day and stretched them back out) I am not sure if it is the colors or what, but I am in love with this pair of socks.


I think the colors are a little bright for myself and for sure not in my husbands color preference, but for a toddler perfect!