This article at Discovery Channel's Planet Green website caught my eye. They list "45 food items people regularly buy that they could make at home: healthier, cheaper, and tastier." This in a nutshell has been my mandate for the last year or so, and I have bookmarked the article accordingly!
Until I read this article, I had no idea that you could make your own ketchup. I had heard that you could make your own mayonnaise - but I had also heard that it was really hard! Apparently you really need an electric blender to whisk it properly. And baking soda - you can make your own baking soda? That is crazy! Fortunately I bought a can of baking soda in 1998, and since I have used only 1/10th of the can (even though I bake frequently) I guess that can is a lifetime's supply.
I have actually tried several items on this list already, so I thought I would go through them with you.
Vanilla extract - okay, having said that? I haven't actually tried this. I was going to, but then I saw the price of vanilla beans at the store, and coupled with the price of vodka, I crunched some numbers and realized it was going to be cheaper to just buy it pre-made.
I have heard that homemade vanilla extract tastes and smells a billion times better than store-bought, so I would definitely like to try making my own some day. But let's not pretend that it will be healthier or cheaper.
(As a side note: I'm not sure how long I could hold out before just drinking the vanilla flavored vodka! Can you imagine how awesome it would taste with Coke? Or even just chilled?)
Jam- they specify grape jelly, but my part of the world (the Skagit Valley in Washington State) is famous for growing berries. Last year I must have put up four gallons of raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and tayberry jam. Enough jam to last me quite some time, I can assure you!
I had always heard that jelly and jam was hard. But if you're okay with making "freezer jam" which has to be stored in the freezer, it couldn't be easier! You hardly need pectin - just cook down the berries, and bang them in a jar. And it's oh so good! Not sure on the cost effectiveness, although I was able to get "canning special" flats from the farmers market.
Dill Pickles - yes, a thousand times, yes! You can make these all year round, and they are SO delicious. And pickled vegetables are ridiculously expensive! My biggest hint for pickles is to blanch the vegetables first, if you're using something "sturdy" like cauliflower or green beans.
French Dressing - again, why stop there? I learned how to make my own dressing a few years ago, and never looked back. Mix 1 T balsamic or red wine vinegar, 5 T olive oil (the best you can afford), and a splotch of Dijon mustard. Add minced garlic to taste, and stir well. The mustard makes it tangy, and helps emulsify it so it doesn't separate.
Until I read this article, I had no idea that you could make your own ketchup. I had heard that you could make your own mayonnaise - but I had also heard that it was really hard! Apparently you really need an electric blender to whisk it properly. And baking soda - you can make your own baking soda? That is crazy! Fortunately I bought a can of baking soda in 1998, and since I have used only 1/10th of the can (even though I bake frequently) I guess that can is a lifetime's supply.
I have actually tried several items on this list already, so I thought I would go through them with you.
Vanilla extract - okay, having said that? I haven't actually tried this. I was going to, but then I saw the price of vanilla beans at the store, and coupled with the price of vodka, I crunched some numbers and realized it was going to be cheaper to just buy it pre-made.
I have heard that homemade vanilla extract tastes and smells a billion times better than store-bought, so I would definitely like to try making my own some day. But let's not pretend that it will be healthier or cheaper.
(As a side note: I'm not sure how long I could hold out before just drinking the vanilla flavored vodka! Can you imagine how awesome it would taste with Coke? Or even just chilled?)
Jam- they specify grape jelly, but my part of the world (the Skagit Valley in Washington State) is famous for growing berries. Last year I must have put up four gallons of raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and tayberry jam. Enough jam to last me quite some time, I can assure you!
I had always heard that jelly and jam was hard. But if you're okay with making "freezer jam" which has to be stored in the freezer, it couldn't be easier! You hardly need pectin - just cook down the berries, and bang them in a jar. And it's oh so good! Not sure on the cost effectiveness, although I was able to get "canning special" flats from the farmers market.
Dill Pickles - yes, a thousand times, yes! You can make these all year round, and they are SO delicious. And pickled vegetables are ridiculously expensive! My biggest hint for pickles is to blanch the vegetables first, if you're using something "sturdy" like cauliflower or green beans.
French Dressing - again, why stop there? I learned how to make my own dressing a few years ago, and never looked back. Mix 1 T balsamic or red wine vinegar, 5 T olive oil (the best you can afford), and a splotch of Dijon mustard. Add minced garlic to taste, and stir well. The mustard makes it tangy, and helps emulsify it so it doesn't separate.