I guess that's mostly because I haven't been experimenting too much with entire dishes themselves (or I just haven't had too much luck with the new ones I have tried). Instead, I've been experimenting more with learning how to make a lot more of individual, everyday items in my own kitchen. Things that typically come in cans or bottles have been on my recipe to-do list over the past few months—not quite the sexiest of food blog posts.
More and more, I've found myself asking, "How can I make that myself?" Whether it's hummus, bagels, granola bars or chicken stock, I've become much more confident when it comes to making these convenience foods myself, and started walking through my cupboards and fridge shelves wondering what I can recreate next.
Here are some of my latest exploits in this attempt to DIY my menu:
Exhibit A: My homemade hot dog buns. I have a recipe that I use in conjunction with my breadmaker that makes wonderful hamburger buns, but I was afraid to use it to make hotdog buns because I wasn't sure how they'd turn out size-wise. Surprisingly? They are much easier to make than hamburger buns when it comes to getting them the correct size. Plus, they just look better than hot dog buns you can buy!
Exhibit B: My foray into salad dressings began with a raspberry viniagarette, which my husband loves, shown above. Personally, I'm more of an Italian dressings person. So far, I've mixed up one Italian dressing recipe a couple of times, but have another one I'm eager to use to see if it suits my liking more.
Exhibit C: Using my crock pot to cook up homemade refried beans. One of my favorite things about eating at a Mexican restaurant is the ubiquitous side of rice-and-beans that comes with your meal. But I hate buying things that come in a can if I can help it, so this recipe was a hit on the very first try! Those are my kind of recipes...
Currently, my list of Things To Make Myself includes: ranch dressing; bbq sauce; baked beans (in a crockpot, using dried beans); salsa; spaghetti sauce.
This process of testing and trying new recipes has developed slowly over the past few months: Slowly, as I think of one product I'd like to remake. Slowly, as I buy up the ingredients to make it once my store-bought version runs out. Slowly, as I cross my fingers and give it a go. Slowly, as I take my first bite.
And through that process, I've learned that there's a lot of things I can make myself that taste just as good as the store-bought version, but are (more often than not) healthier for you and cheaper to boot.
Plus, let's face it: You can't put a price tag on the satisfaction of being able to say, "I made it myself!"
Related Posts
Recipe to Make Your Own Chewy Granola Bars
Recipe to Make Your Own Bagels in a Bread Machine
Congrats! I love making stuff from scratch! Spaghetti sauce is a fun one because you get to play with the spices until its just the way YOU want it!
ReplyDeleteAlso peanut butter. We love making our own homemade peanut butter.
I've been interested in making things from scratch, but haven't even had the time for that lately. Now that things are finally slowing down a little, this post has inspired me to really give it a go!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I'm looking forward to making from scratch is brats. I saw a video on it a year ago & have been dying to try it out myself.
@ PJ - I haven't found a good spaghetti sauce recipe to start with yet. I've tried one or two "bases" but they were both disappointments!
ReplyDelete@ apockylypse - Wow! I've never thought to make brats from scratch! Let me know how that goes; I imagine making sausage would be very similar. That's exciting!
So impressed! Your buns look divine! ;)
ReplyDeleteI've been doing the exact same thing! I just started making the best homemade granola, and today while I was at the grocery store I said, "I need to make hot dog buns!" We're so on the same page :)
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