Sunday, April 5, 2009

New Food Finds

Ok, so it isn't really NEW food, but we continue to amaze ourselves at the things that we have been able to make ourselves. By make, I mean, from scratch, no boxed meals or mixes that you just add soup to. This is no big deal to a lot of people, but it has taken some getting use to for us. We didn't think that we used as much Campbell's soup and Hamburger Helper as we did, but we quickly found out that we not only used it, but we didn't know how to cook without it. So, I just want to share some of our recent successes that have been like a little slice of home. We made our very own flour tortillas and when tortillas actually became available in the grocery store here, the kids didn't like the store bought ones....they wanted moms! It did my heart good. Of course it is more trouble, but not that much more and it was fun making them. I think I have mentioned it before, but we have been making our own barbecue sauce and maple syrup. These have been favorites too. I made some drop biscuits that I added a type of cheese to (since we don't have cheddar in Brazil) and garlic. They tasted just like the garlic cheese biscuits from Red Lobster, which Paul and I have always loved. But the latest creation was Rotel chicken spaghetti without the Rotel. I got a taste for it and wanted it, but there is no Rotel or Velveeta in Brazil. I found a processed cheese spread that I thought I could make work and boy did it work. As far as Rotel, well, I got tomatoes and jalapenos and made my own. We haven't had chicken spaghetti in probably a year and a half and this was mouth-watering good. We are not only getting used to cooking in Brazil, we are actually liking cooking in Brazil.

4 comments:

The Fryar Family said...

HEY!! Hilarious! Chicken Spagetti and Mexican Chicken (same stuff on Doritos) were my staples in the states too! I found a short cut to making Rotel... I get the Salsaretti brand tomato sauce, and Strain it! Then put it in soup mixture made with those individual soups - "Creme de galinha" and Mushroom "Champiginon". It's FANTASTIC! I mix those soups together with a small amount of water/milk/whatever... and then add grated PRATO cheese! YUM! Same thing for Mexican chicken, just put over Doritos. This shortcut will help on the home-made Rotel making. ALSO... Requijo Cremoso(white and yellow) mixed together make GREAT Cheese dip with a SMALL bit of Taco seasoning! (Taco seasoning, TacoBell sauce packs, & Spaghetti seasoning are always in our 'Gift boxes!') **Love you guys!** We're gonna make it down there sometime to see you!! :)

The Fryar Family said...

Oh... AND... I about DIED about 3 weeks ago.... WE FOUND TORTILLAS!! Our "supermarket" EXTRA carries them now! YIPPEE!! We eat Fajitas like weekly! Cheap, Easy, Not very fattening... can't beat it! :)

Lauren. said...

So glad to see you guys are adapting well! I find there's nothing quite like the food that you know and love! Love to hear your updates! I actually found your blog while researching brazilian first birthday parties (trying to get ideas for Isaac's) and found the ladybug birthday party post! hehe So glad I did, now I'm praying for you and your family on your mission! What a wonderful calling! I haven't been down to Brasil yet, but I'm hoping to go down eventually! :)

Rachel Isbell said...

HELLO FRIEND!!! So, I just found your site on the Fryar site....so here I am checking in on you guys!!!! I love this about cooking!!! OH, I SO REMEMBER HOW HARD IT was...especially for me because I ONLY EAT CHICKEN...yeah that really put a limit on our food! We made taco salad ALL the time. Used Doritos Chips, beans, chicken, lettuce, and you know the veggies you need. We made our own homemade salsa. Tomatoes, red jalapenos (that was the only ones we could find that were spicy), garlic, onion, cilantro, lemon juice, vinegar, and salt. Blend it all together and yummy!!! We also made our homemade tortilla chips....someone sold corn tortillas....look around and if you find it BUY LOTS!!! Then freeze them...cut them into triangles and fry them in oil! :) YUMMY!!! I craved Mexican, can you tell? Love you guys!!!
Rachel