Homemade Cheese Crackers

Here is my next homemade experiment from the Outer Isles . I love Cheezits. I could eat my weight in them. Instead of reaching for that box in the middle isle I am trying my hand at recreating this yummy treat. I used this recipe from In the kitchen with Kath.

Blend ingredients

Flatten the dough

Cut into squares

So good!

These crackers were delicious. The recipe didn't make that many but it was enough to satisfy my craving. The freshness on these is only a few days so if you wanted them around all the time than it would be easier to buy the ones in the store, but for a nice treat they are perfect.

Homemade Marshmallows

Last week I introduced a new series called The Outer Isles. This is my first attempt at making something from the middle isles of the grocery store. I should add that all the things I make won't necessarily be any healthier, but homemade. When Will and I visited Knoxville for an interview we were looking for a coffee shop. We picked the one that advertised homemade marshmallows (easy choice). To our disappointment the owner hadn't made them in a while. I have thought about these marshmallows on and off for the last couple of months. How hard could they be? I am going to be honest it never occurred to me to make marshmallows I just assumed they were something factories invented. I thought it would be pretty labor intensive and not worth it. I mean how good could homemade marshmallows be? I was wrong. Like everything I have ever had homemade these were pretty magnificent.

Here are the ingredients and the recipe I used.

A little plain gelatin and water.

Lots of corn syrup and sugar.

Boiling of the sugars

Mixing

Pour into the pan.

Let it sit for 5 hours or until it gets firm.

Dump it out.

Cut away.

And serve.

The Outer Isles

{snap}

In the last year and a half food has become an increasingly important topic. It started mainly when I was pregnant. One soda here and there became a couple a week. I was craving sugar and eating very few vegetables. When it came time to get screened for gestational diabetes I was ready and it never occurred to me that I would be at risk. When my results came back it showed that my numbers were high. My doctor thought it may be an inaccurate test, but I didn't care I couldn't stop hearing those words gestational diabetes. She talked to me about my diet. I realized I was snacking on nothing but crackers and an occassional piece of fruit. I decided right then that I had to change how I ate. I had already started making more food from scratch due to the limited amount of prepackage/prepared food that was available. Cooking took longer, but there was a sense of satisfaction from cutting and sauteeing that was therapeutic. When we headed back to the States we both wanted to continue cooking from scratch but we knew it would be hard with the convenience of home.

When we got back I was talking to a friend about food and she said, "We usually shop the outer isles when we go to the grocery store." I must have had a quizzical look on my face because she went on to explain what she meant. In most grocery stores fresh produce, dairy, and meats are all located on the outer perimeters. The processed foods and sweets tend to be in the middle.  By keeping to the outer edges they are able to eat healthier (this doesn't mean they don't sneak a bottle of coke or other fun items from time to time).

I am not saying that I am swearing off the middle isles all I want to do is have a little experiment. Before I go to purchase an item on the middle isles I have to at least try and make it first. I am not committing to making that item from scratch from here on out. I just really want to see if I can make tasty food from scratch. I don't know how often I will get to post so I am not making any kind of regular promises. I would love it if you would join me. I will take tips or any reasonable requests for food to try and create. Here's to cooking!