Homemade Popcorn in a Kettle

A sure way to get my family excited about a snack - tell them we are having popcorn! At our house, this "meal" comes up about every Sunday night. And I mean meal too. Our small family of four puts away about three batches worth in one night alone. By that I mean, three full cups of unpopped kernels goes into the "popper" (one cup at a time) and into our huge popcorn bowl, as we call it. Our bowl is very large, I mean gallons large.

I have fond memories growing up when we'd have our popcorn supper on Sunday evenings. Actually my dad is the one who makes the popcorn now. Last I recall, he makes it a few times a week in small batches for an evening snack these days.

I thought you might like to know how we make this delicious and inexpensive treat at our house.
Homemade Popcorn
We get out our 10 quart (no, I'm not kidding) heavy duty kettle.
I have ready on my counter:
3 cups unpopped popcorn kernels (enough for 3 batches)
extra large bowl (to put popped corn into)
oil (currently I'm using coconut oil)
homemade seasoned salt & nutritional yeast
I put oil into the kettle, covering the bottom and 2 popcorn kernels. Put the lid on to cover. I turn the stove on medium heat and then wait until I hear the 2 kernels pop. Then immediately I put in 1 cup of popcorn kernels, close the lid and then give the kettle a "swirl" around to get them coated with oil.
At this point, I wait to hear more popping. When it's pretty steady, I turn the heat to the lowest setting until it gets slow again, then I'll turn it up again a bit more, to finish all the popping. During the popping time, I make sure to "shake" and "swirl" the kettle to keep things moving now and then, so it won't stick and burn to the bottom. I use a heavy bottomed kettle for this reason too.
When the popping stops or is really slow, then I turn it off and wait for anymore to finish popping. Then I open the lid, putting it carefully somewhere it won't melt anything (also, there is oil on the lid by this time, so I make sure there is a safe place to place the lid, keeping this in mind). I use hot pads and pour the popped popcorn into the popcorn bowl. I repeat this another 2 times with the other 2 cups of popcorn kernels.
Add seasonings and stir by using a serving spoon to "scoop" it from the bottom to the top carefully, rotating the bowl as you go (since by now, the bowl is very full).
I like this method, because it seems to me the best way to pop nearly all of the kernels. I rarely get more than 10 unpopped kernels. Seriously. With 3 cups popcorn kernels unpopped for all my batches total. Try it. It works.
Cinnamon/Sugar Variation:
Instead of the usual salt and nutritional yeast, sometimes I use turbinado ("raw") sugar and cinnamon as a dry topping after popping, with just a smidge of salt. Oooh - so good. I prefer this sweet version of popcorn over the syrupy candied "kettle" corn out there.
Pretty decent for a girl who loves an air popper for popping popcorn. Can't wait till we get back for that! I still love air poppers, but none around here, so I had to learn the art of popping corn on the stove. Don't own a microwave (never have) either. My husband says it smells like a theater around here when I'm using coconut oil.

Flour Tortillas

I have made homemade corn tortillas before (delicious), but it's been a long time since I made homemade flour tortillas. I have forgotten how good they can be. It's true that when you start making them at home, you'll wonder why it took you so long. They are that good. My daughter couldn't get enough of them.

Looking for a recipe, I came up with a couple of versions of the basic recipe. Some had flour, water, oil, and salt. Others added baking powder. I decided to do one batch (one dozen) of one recipe with baking powder and another batch without. My recommendation is to make it without, because I didn't think that it made that much of a difference. And I like fewer things in my food to do the job. It's nice to know I could still make these without baking powder in the house.

Here is my version of rustic flour tortillas...chewy and pull-apart-able goodness.

Rustic Flour Tortillas

1 3/4 cup unbleached flour

1/4 cup whole grain wheat or rye flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder (optional)

3 Tablespoons oil (or less)

2/3 -3/4 cup warm water

Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Mix the oil in with the warm water and pour them in the dry ingredients and mix together. The dough should not be too dry or wet. If too dry, add water. If too wet, add flour. Knead for a couple of minutes. The dough should be moist. Let the dough rest for 1 hour.

Divide the dough into 12 pieces, rolling them into small balls between your hands. Cover them with a thin damp towel to rest for at least 10 minutes (up to 1 hour or so).

To shape, use a rolling pin to roll them out thinly. Rolling from the middle out, rotating the dough circle to get a more even shape and turning over. Use flour on the rolling pin to keep the dough from sticking. They should be about 7 inches in diameter or so, about 1/8 inch thick (they shrink slightly when you cook them).

To cook, preheat a dry skillet on medium heat for a few minutes. You will not need any oil to grease the pan. It helps to keep the tortilla from sticking to the pan by "shaking" the pan or moving it with your fingers carefully while cooking. Cook for about 30 seconds on one side, then flip over and do another 30 seconds on the second side. As the first ones cook you'll be able to adjust your stove as necessary, finishing the rest the same way. They will be done when light brown spots start to appear. It may puff up.

To keep them warm, put on a plate and cover with a dry towel, placing part of the towel underneath to keep the bottom one from getting soggy. Keep them covered, opening only to put another cooked one inside, until serving time. Serve while still warm.

A great link to learn more about what goes into making flour tortillas and other tips, check out James W. Peyton's web page on flour tortillas.

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Gadget review: Revel Tortilla Maker (CTM 660 -120 V):

I had a chance to do something yesterday that I've been interested in doing for awhile. I borrowed a friend's electric tortilla maker. It shapes and cooks.

Like a waffle iron that has flat plates, this small appliance does the work of rolling out the tortillas and then proceeds to cook them right away. Very convenient.

I'm not sure if I will ever buy one, but it satisfied my curiosity about this gadget. If I ever find one (or one similar) second hand and cheap, I would not pass it up.These run about $30-40 dollars new, so you have to think about how much you make tortillas to make it worth the price if you can't wait for it to show up on the second hand/garage sale market.

If you have a rolling pin (and some time) and a stove top, tortillas can easily make it to your supper table. An inexpensive (non-electric) tortilla press makes the work go faster. This electric gadget a little quicker, but not much. I have used a (non-electric) tortilla press before and that is handy too, doing the job of rolling out in one easy motion. The cooking part has to be done on the stove, but otherwise makes the tedious job of rolling out much quicker.

You might do what my friend finds useful for her growing family. She uses this to shape and start the cooking, then transfers it to another skillet on her stove to finish cooking and keep things moving. This can be a good idea when you want to get more done in less time. When I used it, I cooked them exclusively on the tortilla maker, because I wanted to see how it could do the whole process. I liked the results. Next time, I might do some on the stove and some in the maker to make it go quicker, using the tortilla maker to shape them all. Some people find using a couple of skillets on the stove to cook them is handy as well.

Tiger Nuts

What looks similar to peanuts at first site and tastes like a slightly sweet Chinese chestnut and doesn't need to be peeled before eating?

Tiger Nuts

They are about the size of peanut shells (groundnuts) and are actually a small tuber. They are fibrous and can be peeled, but it's not necessary. They are used to make Tiger "milk" and a drink that is popular in Spain where they are also grown.

I like them. They remind me of the Chinese chestnut trees that my grandparents had at their place. You know, the chestnuts that people use to roast or put in their Thanksgiving stuffing? Like those. Street vendors sell them to motorists in very slow traffic.

The ones we get here are fresh and raw. Inside their creamy color just adds to the chestnut similarity. More juicy than a chestnut and sweeter, they are great for snacking on. Kind of reminds me of eating carrots in texture, but more like celery without the strings - but sweeter. Getting your fiber with these little gems will not be a problem.

If you ever get a chance to try some, I recommend it - fresh and raw are best, of course. But for those of you who don't have access to them, you'll just have to imagine it.

Links to click on for more information...

A very good overview and descriptive article:
Tiger Nuts (article in encyclopedia format)
by Dianne Mason

A company that sells them commercially from Spain, with good information throughout their site:
Tigernuts Traders

You know you live in Africa when...

Where has the time gone? Moving time is here.

Exactly one month from now, we are returning to the United States. We left with a 8 year old and a 4 month old. We will return with a 10 year old and a 2 year old. We left one state and return to another. We left family and friends and we leave here with good memories of new friends we've connected with here in the land they call Ghana.

You know you're a foreign missionary in West Africa when:

• your luggage consist of plastic totes
• your "luggage" is closed by plastic cable ties attached through drilled holes in the tote lids
• you learn words in a different language to communicate to people you see everyday
• you sleep with a mosquito net over your bed/mat
• you have diarrhea a few days a month on average
• you'll eat hot cooked things off the street for awhile until you live there long enough to eat raw things (prepared by someone else) without getting sick
• you weigh your "luggage" to use it to max capacity (for us 50 pounds each, two pieces for each person)
• you point to things without using your index finger
• you start speaking with a British English accent instead of talking the "American" English, because it is easier for people to understand you
• you know what "light off" means (power is out for unknown reasons & amount of time)
• you know construction barriers are just for show
• you know there's always a walking path that people back home would think looks like a "cow" path
• you think that a handkerchief is a necessity and you carry it with you everywhere
• you think "clean, pure" water comes from plastic bags or bottles
• the street vendors put hot liquid porridge in "poly" (plastic) bags
• most people cook outside
• you have your house water supply delivered once a month by truck
• you have a mango tree in your back yard (or avocado, or lemon, or plantain, or banana, etc.)
• you have a palm nut tree in your backyard (or coconut, or maybe bamboo growing)
• you have a tin roof
• your "front door" is a large metal gate by the road
• you think dust is normal on your kitchen table (which is used at least three times a day)
• you have no carpet
• your floors are cement
• you have a dry season and a wet season
• the popular sport in the country is football, otherwise known in the states as "soccer"
• your neighbors have no electric, but have mobile phones
• you see how long your clothes can last before you get more than one hole in the fabric
• you don't own a car and haven't driven in two years
• your whites aren't so white
• you hardly notice the roosters crowing at all hours of the day (or night)
• you think white chickens are boring
• your spelling is starting to lag
• you go to a village church that has 20 people in attendance and they have a sound system with microphones set up to use
• there are plastic arm chairs everywhere
• "tie and dye" fabric is available where most fabric is sold
• car repairs are done right on the street where the vehicle broke down
• the prices go up because you are now their friend
• umbrellas are for shade
• ladies (and many men) carry everything on their heads, not babies and young children - they go on their mama's backs
• the plumber and electrician wear flip flops
• you have a watchman (nighttime security)
• you haven't worn socks in two years
• you don't think your two year old knows what a blanket is
• you make free calls around the world using Skype on your computer
• your road looks like a stone ditch
• the local market sells bat, grass cutters (like groundhogs), fresh snails and fish all without refrigeration
• the local market sells plantain, bananas, white yam, fresh coconuts, avocados, mangoes, garden egg (eggplant), hot chili peppers, fresh pineapple, fresh ginger - all at what would be considered cheap prices in northern climates back in the US
• you like the corn (called maize here) even though you know it's not sweet corn
• you eat your boiled or grilled corn with a piece of fresh coconut on the side
  
• you've eaten fried everything (no meat, of course) off the street
• you think the state of Pennsylvania would have a hard time trying to do car inspections here
• "it must be malaria" is said whenever anyone gets sick
• people are really afraid of your dog
• you live in a country (slightly smaller than Oregon) with tropical climates which include: warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast (along the Atlantic Ocean -Gulf of Guinea) ; hot and humid in southwest (with rain forest); hot and dry in north
• you can get a guy's haircut for under $1.00
• people actually like rice and beans, yourself included
• speed limits are merely suggestions
• it's both hard and easy to be "green" (take the ecological footprint quiz)
• the word "chop" has two meanings - eating food or stealing something
• mowing the lawn involves using a knife

There are so many more I could add. I'll miss Ghana.

Blogging...a little of this, a little of that

Blogging....a term I didn't even know 2 years ago, is now something I do almost every day. I am having fun "putting down on paper" all the things that I have learned in the kitchen and other simple things that have become second nature to me and my family. These things have come through trial and error and otherwise gleaned tips from friends, family, and the occasional stranger.

Live and Learn: I am also learning through the comments and questions people have sent my way because of this "journal." I am always wanting to learn new things. Some things were planned, some not, but I have always been thankful for experiences which have shaped my life.


Beginnings: I started this blog in April 2008 and now have over 50 posts (I know, I'm still young at this) which seem to me a small goal accomplished. To borrow from the omnivore, "there's only one way to eat an elephant, one bite at a time." I am finally organizing my thoughts and recipes in one place - here.



Site Counter: There is a site counter at the very bottom of this page (and every page) that shows which countries (with flags) have visited my blog site. To date 35 countries have visited since I added this free tool (late May 2008). Click on it and it will show you the full names of the countries. This is a very fun tool. If you have a website or blog and you want to put one on your site, just click on mine and it will give you the option of setting up your own.



Free of...: This blog has not cost a cent to set up and maintain. I am enjoying this free writing outlet. From the beginning I have wanted to remain free of advertisements as well. I don't know if I will ever accept ads or not, but I choose rather to tell you of those things which have helped me along the way. I do not get paid to endorse these products or companies. In this way, I can freely choose which ones I want to tell you about and avoid all the ads that could show up on the side bar that I don't want. "Signs, signs, everywhere signs" are not conducive to easy reading either. So simple and to the point are really what this blog will look like. When I do mention someone else or link to another site, I am not necessarily endorsing everything they say or portray.



Photos: I have chosen to use my own photos for examples and illustrations. This brings out the "do-it-yourself" in me. I don't do this to promote myself, but rather to show real life versus all the professional photography and flawless paintings out there. It is so I can improve my own abilities as a photographer and to show real foods (etc.) and not airbrushed photos or fancy art. I am not opposed to it entirely, but I appreciate when people do their own, that's all. A few photos were taken by my wonderful husband.



Frequency of Posts: I have a family like many of you, so there will be times when I cannot post as often as I'd like. I aim for between three and five posts per week. Many weeks I can post everyday. Thanks to the option to post date publish, I can write a few posts in a day and then they will publish one a day as I schedule it. It is nice when things run themselves, isn't it?



Gimmick free: You will not find anywhere on my blog a way to coupon or use rebates, etc., because in my life that doesn't happen. I am not the "coupon queen." I do not try to "work" the sales to get free things and then give them away or sell them. I believe that we "vote" with every dollar we spend. Be it for mass marketing and factory farms or local merchants and smaller organic farms.



Drive the "green" way: "It ain't easy, being green" might be more about being a frog than saving money. But the truth is that real simplicity (hand in hand with "living lightly") gains more momentum from using less of everything. Things like using less money, using less consumable goods, using less fuel, using less energy in general. Sometimes it means doing more yourself to get to this goal. "Going green" seems to be a catch phrase as of late. I hope that "going green" can also mean a lifestyle change (and maybe eating more greens!) in the process.

Recipes: I do like to make my own foods from scratch. My goal is to be a vegan friendly place for people of all tastes (vegetarian or not). My recipes might be simple sometimes, more complicated other times. Being vegan (pronounced VEE-guhn) usually means that you are willing to try new things and "veganize" your favorite foods so you can still enjoy them. So you'll find dairy free alternatives and how to cook and bake without eggs. Having wheat free recipes is helpful in my own family, but occasionally you'll find them here (or in the sprouted form which we tolerate much better). As I learn, I'll pass it on to you.


Please keep reading and keep posting your comments. Thanks.

Bean Sprouts

I decided to use my Easy Sprout sprouter again, but this time for bean sprouts! I used a small bean that looks like a black eyed pea, but it was dark red when dry. I'm not sure what they call them here. Sprouting not only enhances the nutritional value of beans, but it helps with digestibility and saves cooking time!

I soaked them about 8 hours. Since I had so many, I cooked most of them up, amounting to about 3 quarts when finished. The ones I separated out for sprouting amounted to 1/2 cup (after soaking). I rinsed them and put them into my sprouter and this is what they looked like after one day...

And the next day...

Aren't they beautiful?



I made sure to rinse them a few times daily as this helps keep them fresh. Since bean spouts should be cooked before eating (exception might be lentil sprouts), I boiled them. Next time I will steam them as this preserves nutrients better than boiling does. I did pop the skins off before cooking, but I don't think you have to.

In my quest to lessen/eliminate the gas problems associated with beans, this has promise! =)

For more on bean sprouts, check out the Sproutpeople.
Click here for a fun printable bean sprout shape book for young children.

Financial Independence

I keep hearing about everyone tightening their financial belts. It seems that indeed our world does revolve around the oil "crisis." You don't realize it until the (US) economy suffers (more than usual). How do we know? Fuel and food prices have been going up. These two affect us everyday - it finally hit our wallets. It is starting to "hurt."

I remember when Amy Dacyczyn (author of the Tightwad Gazette newsletter and books in the 1990's) talked about being frugal, in varying degrees, as a way to live your entire life. She talked about living your life, not based on credit, but based on paying for everything with cash. "Pay as you go" as the phrase goes.

She talked about her and her husband's goal to have a large family and a home in New England (USA) with an attached barn. Nobody thought it was a realistic goal. You know what? They now live in Maine and have six children. They own a pre-1900's farmhouse with attached barn! Her husband retired while she was doing the newsletter. And she retired from the Tightwad Gazette when her goals were met. How about that? She finished up her work when most people would have just been getting started. Her writing was popular. Still is.

I like her name, Dacyczyn...it's pronounced "decision." Mrs. "Decision" made the choice to enjoy her family and be financially independent while still having children at home. Financial Independence (“FI” as it's called for those in the know) is achievable for many people, but most people think that they need to work the rest of their lives. These days people only hope to retire and enjoy the end of their days with "ease." She had some pretty interesting ideas about the economy and how it should be handled. I liked them and I think she showed real insight that the rest of us should consider. I wonder what her thoughts are on the stimulus checks these days? Hummm...

What about enjoying the days you have now? What about working in a field of your calling and enjoying every minute of it, instead of waiting 20-30 more years to "relax" with arthritis, bifocals, thinning hair, and maybe a cane, all on a fixed income? (By the way, I am using a stereotype here - in no way do I imply all people are like this, but it's more likely when you are older).

How about living the way you want now, not luxuriously, mind you, but on purpose? You can enjoy your family now. Enjoy being debt free. Enjoy the freedom that comes with not worrying about money. Enjoy sleeping at night. Enjoy your spouse more because you will not have the #1 cause of divorce in your house - financial woes.

Surely God does not want us to be slaves in bondage to the money driven life people have because they think they need more to live the "American dream" lifestyle. Are the diamonds and gold, the latest style in clothing, pools, electronic toys, numerous cars in the driveway, and fancy televisions and stereos all worth it? Most people in the world will never own anything like that list. And many are happy people despite this.

I have known poor people and I have known frugal people. "Poor is a state of mind" - a statement that is very true. Frugal is a choice. Sometimes we think we have no other choice. If you say you're "broke," then you have a "poor" mentality. If you choose to save money by growing a garden and not eating out, then you are being frugal. If you choose to be a stay at home mother for your children, when everyone thinks you're crazy because "it takes two incomes in this world to raise a family," you might be of the frugal persuasion.

I started this post talking about the economy. Let's go back to that for a minute. Who do you think is having a hard time budgeting now? Those that are (more or less) forced to because of their skyrocketing expenses to maintain their fancy lifestyle? Or those that have lived that way for years?

I remember when the Y2K scare was on everyone's mind. Coming up to the year 2000, banks, schools, utility companies, all computer using businesses were having to become 4 digit year friendly to "save" their records and so everything wouldn't just "stop" as we were told. All because of going from "1999" to "2000." People stocked up on non-perishable foods (grains, beans, dehydrated and canned foods). People bought generators. Lots of them. Some people were ready to "camp" out. Or they thought they were.

Who do you think was standing by wondering what all the commotion was about? People that already were doing these things for years. The Amish do not use generators and they don't rely on electricity to lives their lives. And others that are "off the grid" need not worry that their dependence on electricity will stop them from making breakfast and being happy.

I'm not saying we should all be Amish (many are them are fine people, I know). I am saying that for true financial success, the result of a lifetime of financial stewardship really shines through the longer and more intense you are about it. Even if we don't want to or can't achieve total financial independence, we can still be satisfied and financially secure. Dave Ramsey would approve.

Today being July 4th (Independence Day in the USA), and being in Africa just makes me think a little more about true freedom. Did we gain independence only to be slaves to the "almighty" dollar?

I'd rather choose for my family to stay debt free (more than 1 year now!) and control my money before it controls me. You in?