homemade tortillas....just because

Every year my Mother-in-Law buys me a subscription to Taste of Home magazine for my birthday. Well the latest one had a recipe that has already become a favorite in our house! Now, as I'm posting this, I'm very aware that this probably isn't the most traditional tortilla recipe. God blessed me with a sister-in-law who is from New Mexico and she (Gina) has got tortilla making down as an art form (see, she got me addicted to fresh tortillas!) Anyway, here's the recipe....should these be called "Gringo Tortillas"? Who knows, I don't care! They're easy and tasty!
Tortillas in No Time
from Taste of Home magazine, June/July 2010
Prep/Total Time: 30 min.
Yield: 8 Tortillas (I always double this)

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup water
3 Tbsp olive oil

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Stir in water and oil. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 5 to 6 times (lately mines been VERY sticky so I've added flour until it's a soft dough) Begin heating a large non-stick skillet (I use my 10-in. cast iron skillet) Spray lightly with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Divide flour into 8 portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 7-in. circle. Cook tortilla for 1 minute on each side or until lightly browned. Keep warm.

That's it! Pretty easy! What makes it even more fun is that I have a helper (tonight it was my 7 yo) to do the cooking while I roll out the tortillas....kind of an assembly line. They watch for a few bubbles and then flip it. By the time I have the next one rolled out, the cooking tortilla is done. Great teamwork!

Enjoy!! We're having beef fajitas on fresh tortillas tonight!!

Yay! More Catering!

Call me crazy, but I LOVE to cook. I've come to realize that this is one way I can show people I care about them, appreciate them. Guess that means I'll make a great Grandma someday! :) But this is a passion for me. God has granted me the skills to be a good cook, and also granted me the desire to share the fruits of these skills. So, yes, I've got another catering job. Love it! I am by no means a professional caterer, but rather, I am doing something I love so I am doing my best. (Get it?) My first catering job, many years ago, now, was for the wedding of the daughter of some dear friends. My first chance to cook for a crowd. They had faith in my abilities and let me run with it! Wow (it was also a wonderful experience in that they had an amazing kitchen in their house!) Since then, I've helped with a brother-in-law's wedding, and have recently been asked to cater week-end-long events (at retreats put on by the Hill AFB chapel; I feed the staff, avg from 30-50 people). I love it!! What an experience. Tiring, yes, but so fullfilling for me! I don't get paid, I do it for the experience, and for the chance to bless these people as they reach out and serve and bless others. Many have called me crazy, maybe I am, but I LOVE doing this, truly this is a ministry opportunity for me. Who knows where this will take me, but for now I know that I am serving right where God has asked me to be.
So, you wanna see the menu? :) And yes, most of it is made from scratch by me.
This is for Saturday morning through Monday lunch time
Saturday
Breakfast: muffins (made by the commissary, as we'll be packing and then unpacking until after lunch)
Lunch: sub sandwiches, chips and soda (again, sandwiches made by the commissary)
Dinner: Fruit Tray (early); Meat lasagna; Spinach lasagna; Rolls; Salad; Carrot cake (shhh, I'm hoping my husband will have made the next rank, so I'm making this especially for him....but they don't have to know that!)
Sunday
Breakfast: Bagels; Fruit; Breakfast burritos
Lunch: Grilled Pastrami sandwiches; Fancy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches; Greek Pasta Salad; Chips
Dinner: Chips and salsa (early); BBQ Brisket; BBQ ribs; Baked Beans; Coleslaw; Strawberry Spinach Salad; and Cheesecake Squares for dessert
Monday
Breakfast: Pancakes and sausage; fruit; bagels
Lunch: Brisket in tortillas; BLT Salad sandwiches; Greek Salad; Chips

So, call me crazy, but I'm going to have a good time!