Over at the NWP’s iAnthology site, we’re starting a monthly “make with me” project.
For a variety of reasons, this site is restricted to members only (feel free to join!) so I am going to cross-post the “makes” here as well. If you try this, please post a comment or picture with what you did, either at iAnthology or here. Have fun!
[cross-posted from iAnthology]
Welcome to the first iAnthology “Make with Me.” We’ll be doing the “maker” projects monthly, and there’s a lot of flexibility in what you make and how you do it, so feel free to diverge from our suggestions in any way you like.
This month, we’re going to make food — real food, not the kind that comes in a styrofoam carton or frozen in a metal tray. Think of something that you normally buy pre-made and try making it from scratch. You might just find that it isn’t that much extra work, and the results are not only healthier, but delicious….or you might come to appreciate even more the conveniences of modern life. 🙂
Here are a few examples of things you might try, ranging from simpler to more involved:
- Salad dressing
Rather than using dressing from a bottle or a mix, try making your own. I like to start with a little garlic and dijon mustard and then whisk in some vinegar, oil, and fresh herbs. Here are some other ideas you might want to try from The Kitchn and Food Network.
- Granola
I love fresh granola, and it’s not hard to make (and much healthier). Here’s one recipe. You can vary the ingredients quite a bit. No coconut, no problem. Any kind of dried fruit will work, including raisins. I also like to add chopped nuts, flax, or sesame seeds.
- Macaroni and cheese
Mac and cheese is one of my favorite foods, and the powdery bright orange mix in a box kind can’t compare to homemade!
- Bread
There’s nothing better than fresh made bread, and it’s not as hard as you might think. Here’s a recipe for my favorite fast French bread (you can leave the loaves in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or skip that part and just let the loaves rise for an hour or so at that point instead), and here’s a lovely no-knead bread that takes a bit longer but is easy and so good!
- Cheese
Cheese making sounds complicated, but here’s an easy ricotta recipe that requires nothing more than milk, lemon juice, and cheese cloth. Maybe others have different cheese making experiences they could share.
So, get making, everyone! We can’t wait to see what you come up with. Don’t forget to post a picture and a recipe or other information about what you made and how it turned out. (And remember, that we can learn as much from “failures” as from successes….I’ve have a lot of food disasters. I try not to let them discourage me. 🙂