Things I've learned ...

The following are a few recipes I have acquired over the years as I have lived in places where one could not always find certain items. These days it is much easier to get imported items over seas, but they are often very expensive. I have found many of these items to also be expensive here in the USA.

Ranch Flavoring Mix

2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. dried minced garlic
2 tsp. dried minced onion
2 tsp. parsley flakes
2 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. paprika

Mix together. Makes 1/2 cup dry mix. Variations: 1) Add 1 T. mix to 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup sour milk for creamy salad dressing. 2) Add 1 T mix to plain yogurt for dips 3) Combine 2 T water with 1/4 cup vinegar. Stir in 2 T mix, then add 2/3 cups vegetable oil. Shake well for salad dressing.


Taco Seasoning Mix

1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1 T flour
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
Mix well. Equals one packet of seasoning, enough for 1/2 kilo meat. ( 1 lb)


Whole Milk Ricotta

2 liters whole milk
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice or white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
Pour milk into saucepan. Heat slowly to 200* Stir in lemon, cover and turn off heat. Let stand until a solid surd forms.(3 -4 hours) Strain through cheesecloth. let drain for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The longer it drains, the firmer the curd.Turn cheese into a bowl and salt to taste. refrigerate. ( great for lasagna and recipes that call for ricotta or cottage cheese)


Blender Mayonnaise

1 egg
2 T vinegar
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup salad oil
Put 1 T of vinegar and all other ingredients EXCEPT the oil into blender. Cover and blend on low. Slowly pour 1/2 cup oil. Blend on medium. Add the second T of vinegar and the other 1/2 cup of oil into blender. Blend on high. yields: 1 cup


Homemade Mustard

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
5 T dry mustard
dash of salt
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
Tumeric

Mix sugar,flour, dry mustard, and salt together in saucepan. Add water and vinegar. Cook until desired thickness mixing with wire whip. Then add the tumeric to desired color.


Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 cup hot water
1/4 cup margarine
2 cups white sugar
4 cups powdered milk
Blend until well mixed. Keep refrigerated.


Evaporated Milk
1 cup dry milk
1/3 cup boiling water
1 cup sugar
3 T melted butter Combine all ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Refrigerate. Yields:1 and 1/2 cups.


Teriyaki Sauce

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1 tsp powdered ginger
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup honey
Use to marinate meat overnight. Good for chicken, beef, tapir, deer, wild boar and capybera!:)

Play Dough

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 T cooking oil
Mix all dry ingredients together.. Add food coloring to the water. Add colored water and salt to the dry ingredients. Cook stirring constantly until mixture forms a ball. Store in air tight container and may be refrigerated for longer use. NON TOXIC!!!


Baby Wipes

2 cups hot water
1 - 2 T baby shampoo
2 T baby oil
1 roll paper towels

Remove cardboard form center of towels and cut entire roll into half. Mix water, shampoo, and oil and pour over paper towels. Store in air tight container. Use best quality of paper towel available.

And especially for missionaries!

Unleavened Bread for Communion

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2/3 cups shortening
6 T milk
Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening with a fork. With fork, mix in milk. Form into ball and let rest 5 minutes. Heat oven to 180* C ( about 375* F) Roll dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Score dough into 1 inch squares without cutting completely through. Prick each square 2 or 3 times with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.