I'm Back, I'm Healthy and Now I'm A Texan

It's been a tumultuous year since I posted over a year ago.  We no longer travel and settled north of San Antonio. I'll explain it all real soon, but I don't want to talk about that today.  I'd rather share my recipe for Cream Cheese and Jalapeno tamales.

I started making tamales a few years back because I spent a fortune buying them so I decided to teach myself so I can have an endless supply. The first time I had cream cheese and jalapeno tamales (or any tamale at all) was Delia's tamales in Mission TX.  Everyone knows and loves their tamales, just ask any Texan. Mine don't compare, but I take great pleasure in spending the day making them. I also make traditional pork tamales, but these are by far my favorite!

Let's get started:
You will need basic ingredients such as lard (shortening will do, but not as authentic), corn husks, cream cheese and jalapenos.  You can season the masa with garlic powder, paprika, chili powder or even taco seasoning mix.

  

Soak the corn husks in warm water for about 1/2 hour until softened.  Since they float, weight them down with something heavy so they remain submerged. Like a can or brick wrapped in foil.

While the husks are soaking, make the masa.  Mix equal amounts of masa harina and warm stock or water (I used about 4 cups), and your seasonings.  I used 1tsp baking powder,1 Tbl garlic powder, 1 Tbl paprika, 1 Tbl chili powder. Use your imagination! The masa should be the consistency of peanut butter. Add more masa harina or broth to get the right consistency.

Now make the filling.  I used 2 blocks of cream cheese, 3 large jalapenos and 1/2 large onion.  I chopped the jalapenos and onion in a hand chopper then add the cream cheese. I don't remove the seeds from the peppers because that's where all the heat is! Of course you might feel differently so the seeds can be removed.  Use gloves, trust me. Mix well. 

Now it's time to assemble.  Place your bowl of masa, filling and soaked husks within easy reach.  Spoons are handy and a masa spreader is helpful. Work on a cutting board, easier to clean up.  A large plate to hold all your delicious tamales!

Here's how to assemble:
Pick a husk and dry it off with a clean towel. 

Spread masa on the husk. You can use a masa spreader or the back of a wet spoon. Spread the husk out so you cover the folds too. Don't spread the masa to the side edges since you'll waste a lot when you roll them up.   Place filling in the center.

To roll, fold the husk so the masa meets, then roll it up tightly.  Fold the bottom up and tie with a strip of husk (it's pretty strong). I tie my tamales because the are more manageable and don't unfold while steaming. 

   

Pack them upright in a tall pot with a steamer in the bottom. This prevents the tamales from touching the water.  Place a couple pennies in the pot.  If they stop rattling, you need to add more water.  

When the water starts boiling, turn heat down to medium low and steam for 2 hours.
Remove lid to let tamales cool.  Remove and eat immediately (!) or freeze them if you have restraint.  Enjoy! 

I'm Such A Thrifty Country Girl!

I always thought I would have made a good farm wife, but life took me elsewhere.  But now I can fulfill my dreams of being as self-sufficient as possible.  I'm starting a garden, hang my laundry out in the sun, can and freeze local produce and generally try to live as close to the land as possible and save our precious resources.   

Recently I posted my dishwasher detergent recipe, so today I'm going to show you how I make laundry detergent.  I haven't bought laundry soap in a couple years since I started making my own, and I'm horrified at the price of detergent when I see it in the stores!  I can't imagine why people spend precious dollars on something they can make which works just as well, is more natural and with no chemicals to clog up our serwers or septic tank.  I don't even have a box to see what's in the stuff anymore, so go take a look at your box or bottle of detergent.

There are many variations for both liquid and powdered laundry soap, but they all use the same basic ingredients:  Borax, Washing Soda, bar soap, and water of course.  I found that the liquid, while a little more trouble to make, works better for me.   I've tried a couple recipes, but the
Dugger Family recipe works well for me.  http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html which I am showing here. 

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar (you can also use Ivory bar soap)
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

 

After sitting a few hours or overnight, this is what it will look like.  Sort of like Jello.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with the gel and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will continue to gel).  I use a plastic quart bottle.

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.  I didn't add anything because it already smells so good!

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

You can also check out Planet Green's recipes, a little different proportions and they don't dilute the gel: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/make-your-own-laundry-soap.html I find that diluting the gel doubles 5 gallons of soap to 10 gallons, which can last up to 6 months, depending on how often you do laundry (there's only 2 of us, so it lasts for over 6 months)

Try it!  It's good stuff and really does clean your clothes!