Monday, October 22, 2012

Freeze Dried Salsa


I really love to make fresh salsa, or if I don’t have fresh tomatoes I used canned tomatoes to make fresh salsa even in winter.   If I’m feeling extravagant I purchase fresh salsa from the local grocery store.  My local grocery store makes fresh salsa that is amazing.  I love it.  


Recently when a friend of mine, told me about the awesome salsa that she had made from freeze dried tomato dices, I was skeptical.   To put it bluntly I didn’t believe her. 

A couple of days ago I was asked to bring a dish to a presentation about food storage that was
·        Super easy to make
·        Highlighted freeze dried vegetables.
·        Was made from shelf stable ingredients 
·        Could make in advance and transport safely.

I immediately thought of this salsa recipe and after trying it I found that my friend was right freeze dried tomatoes do make an amazing salsa.




Freeze Dried Salsa

 
    3 c freeze dried diced tomatoes
    1⁄2 c freeze dried green chili peppers
    1⁄2 c freeze dried sweet corn
    1⁄4 c freeze dried chopped onions
    1⁄4 c freeze dried red bell peppers
    1⁄2 t cumin
    2 1⁄4 c warm water
    1 T Cholula hot sauce (more if you like hot salsa)
    1 1⁄4 T lime juice
    1⁄4 t salt
    1⁄4 c cilantro (optional, I never have so I usually leave out)

Mix all ingredients together and stir well for 30 seconds.  Refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Bread Machine Honey Whole Wheat Bread







Honey Powder is one of the foods that I get asked about a lot, so when Shelf Reliance recently came out with Honey Crystals I decided to try them. 
Info on Honey Crystals:  THRIVE Honey Crystals are made with pure honey AND natural cane sugar refined. Adding water and heat will allow the honey crystals to reconstitute into a product consistent with the color, flavor, and texture of real honey.

  • Product of the USA
  • Not genetically modified (non-GMO)
  • All natural
  • More calcium, iron, and potassium than pure honey


What I like Honey Powder/Crystals:

  • No Sticky Mess!  My goodness I hate the sticky mess that fresh honey can make.  When I’m making bread and I use honey Powder/Crystals I Love, Love, Love how I can just measure and dump with no mess. 
  • Honey Crystals/Powder does not solidify.  As fresh honey ages it can develop crystals which make it impossible to pour.  You can slowly heat the honey either in a pan of warm water or by leaving it in a sunny window and the crystals will dissolve leaving you with smooth flowing honey.  But I don’t like doing this.  It is a hassle and I warp the plastic container that I store my honey in.  Which I hate.
  • Honey Crystals/Powder comes in a convenient container.  You can choose a pantry can or a number 10 can.  These sizes are both very standard and fit in cupboards or on your food storage shelves.  Fresh honey when purchased in bulk often comes in very large and hard to maneuver containers.    
  • Honey Crystals can be used in ways that fresh Honey never could be. 
    • You can make your own mixes including the honey.  The bread recipe below would easily be made into a mix.   Just measure all the dry ingredients into a ziplock bag.
    •  You can sprinkle it on toast for a mess free sweet treat.   

How do I use Honey Crystals/Powder?

My favorite way is in bread.  It is fall and that always makes me want to make bread in the bread maker.  –Steve this recipe is for you.  Thanks for asking. 



If you need:
Add this much Honey Crystals
Add this much water
¼ cup Honey
6 Tablespoons Honey Crystals
2 Tablespoons water
1/3  cup Honey
½ cup Honey Crystals
2 ½ Tablespoons water
½ cup Honey
¾ cup Honey Crystals
¼ cup water
1 cup Honey
1 ½ cup Honey Crystals
½ cup water



Bread Machine Honey Whole Wheat Bread

Printable Recipe

Make 1.5 pound loaf
1 ¼  cups water
1 ½ teaspoons salt
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup honey crystals  (if using fresh honey use 1/3 cup honey and be sure to subtract 1/8 cup water)
1 tablespoon dry milk powder
1 ½ tablespoons shortening
1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 Tablespoon Dough Enhancer

Mix the salt with the water.  Place ingredients in bread machine pan in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select Whole Wheat setting, and choose the light crust option. Press Start.