Meals From Scratch

There have been a lot of challenges since Kristin and I started our one-hundred mile diet in April. Ingredients are not always available, meat is expensive, and bread has to be made. The convenience of the grocery store has disappeared now that we depend on the offerings of local farmers. Despite and even because of all of the challenges we have gained many things from our experience as well.

We have both become more proficient in the kitchen. Kristin has become quite the homemaker whipping up yogurt, breads and other tasty staples. We have also gotten a lot better at using what is available. Which is why it might suprise you that we enjoyed Tacos tonight.

Thats right, in the middle of June we had locavor tacos with all of the fixins'. We slow roasted some pork on Sunday and then chopped some of it up for taco meat today. We used a homemade taco seasoning recipe and made our own corn meal tortillas from scratch. The cheese came from Millport dairy, the tomato from a farmer's greenhouse in Mountville and the lettuce from our garden.

We popped some popcorn on the stove-top and let the i-pod serenade us with spanish guitar. Try these recipes from scratch. Get every one involved and crank up the spanish music for a fun family night.

Taco Seasoning

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon of cyanine (optional)

Mix in bowl.

Brown 1 pound of meat and drain.

Mix in half cup of water and seasoning mix. Simmer till water evaporates stirring occasionally.

Done!

Corn Meal Tortilla

1 1/4 cups of all purpose flour

3/4 cup of Corn Meal

1 teaspoon of salt

2 Tablespoons vegetable shortening or oil (I used olive oil)

1 cup of boiling water (measured with a metal cup)

Mix dry ingredients.

Boil water.

Add oil.

Mix in water with fork.

Role dough into a log and cut into ten pieces. Sandwich the pieces in between two cuts of wax paper. Role until thin. Peel off one side of wax paper. Cook in dry skillet until brown spots appear then remove remaining paper and cook other side.

Done!