homemade Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Winstead Wandering

Homemade Corn Dogs

November 20, 2015 by Abby

Homemade corn dogs are easier than they look and, with their crunchy-yet-fluffy exterior, they’re delicious, too.

I don’t even know why I still eat corn dogs. I don’t, really, at least not on a regular basis. What I mean is, after the thin, mealy, flavorless corn dogs served for lunch during my elementary school days, how do they even still sound appealing?

A couple reasons, really. The first is that I like hot dogs. Nitrites and carcinogens aside, I enjoy eating them, and since I don’t consume three a day- or even three a year, I would guess- I think I’m safe. The second reason is because they’re fried. So that’s a no-brainer. And lastly, the whole portable food-on-a-stick thing is just plain fun.

Since I have no plans buy a box of these guys from the frozen foods section of the grocery store, I’m forced to make them from scratch when the craving strikes. Okay, fine, to be honest, I’m forced to watch my mother-in-law make them. But she’s pretty much the master of fried anything, so I defer to her. It’s better for all of us.

Let’s talk about these bad boys. There’s the hot dog on the inside, which should be good quality. Skewer the dogs and dip them in the thick batter, and then transfer them to the hot oil. They’ll puff up and darken and turn into a description-defying crunchy-yet-fluffy treat.

Clearly, this isn’t an all-the-time recipe. But when your craving carnival food, but not the sweaty crowds and death-trap rides, whip up a batch of these homemade corn dogs and enjoy.

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Homemade Christmas Gifts with Photos

November 18, 2015 by Abby

Homemade Christmas gifts are the perfect way to save money and add your own special touch to every present you give.

One of the best things about having children- aside from the unconditional love and the constant companionship and the general adorableness- is the endless gift-giving possibilities. You can get away with giving all kinds of presents that are unacceptable when you’re childless: crayon scribbles that will lovingly be referred to as art and photos that will be cherished for years.

While framed photos are nice, they’re also boring. For just a little extra effort, you can create custom gifts that are both functional and sentimental. Because if there’s anything parents and grandparents love more than hanging photos of their grandkids on their walls, it’s covering every available surface with them.

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Baked Homemade Potato Chips

November 11, 2015 by Abby

Thinly-sliced potatoes, seasoned however you’d like, are baked until tender and crispy. It doesn’t get much easier than these baked homemade potato chips.

Real talk: I’m sitting here, catching up on Grey’s Anatomy- the show I hate that I love- and trying to figure out how to accurately describe these chips to you.

I feel like I say this a lot, but I was skeptical that baked homemade potato chips could even come close to measuring up to the real thing. Because, if we’re being honest, real potato chips are really.freaking.good. The unmistakable crunch, the generous coating of addictive flavors. You want some now, right? Because they’re that good.

I don’t buy real potato chips, mostly because of that eat-the-whole-bag habit I have. It’s just safer to maintain distance. I do, however, keep potatoes around. I bake with them pretty frequently (Exhibit A. And B. And C. And D. And E.).

Sidenote: I seriously didn’t realize how many potato recipes I have until I just included them all here.

The biggest reason I decided to go ahead and try making my own baked chips is that I knew it couldn’t go wrong. Sure, I knew they might not measure up to store bought, but they’re potatoes; they’d still be edible.

I’d be lying if I said these are just like the real thing. Clearly, they aren’t going to trick you into believing you’ve just opened a bag of Lay’s. But they are awesome, plus they’re healthier and cheaper, too. The best part is the endless array of flavor possibilities; you can sprinkle these with any seasonings or spices you have around. My next plan is to make a batch brushed with vinegar and sprinkled with sea salt.

I’ll keep you posted.

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salted caramel hot chocolate

November 2, 2015 by Abby

Homemade salted caramel hot chocolate that rivals the coffee chain version. It’s rich and smooth and, if made with almond milk or a similar milk substitute, it comes in at under 200 calories.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but that doesn’t mean I don’t lament the fact that the nearest Starbucks is 80 miles away. EIGHTY. MILES. This is The South, y’all, and we don’t value our heated caffeine like our Northwest-living counterparts. I don’t even know how for I’d have to go to find the nearest drive-through coffee stand, but it’s far.

The reason I feel the need to whine about my lack of access to a beverage that I don’t even consume? Hot chocolate. Even though I’m not interested in coffee, sometimes I’d give my firstborn- most days, really, I’d probably get more for the second one- for a cup of hot, rich, decadent cocoa.

Don’t even get me started on the powdered packet stuff. Guck. I’ve tried a few homemade recipes, but it seemed like the ones that boasted richness called for melted chocolate and specialty syrups. No thanks. Others claimed to be a substitute for the coffeehouse version, but ended up weak, watery, or bitter.

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Baked Onion Rings

October 21, 2015 by Abby

It seems too good to be true, but it isn’t. Baked onion rings are just as crunchy, just as flavorful, and just as craving-inducing as the restaurant kind. The only thing missing is the guilt.

This recipe sat in my mental “to make” file for far too long. I love onion rings- I love any kind of onion dish, really- but I just couldn’t imagine the baked version living up to the fried goodness I’m accustomed to. I finally gave in and tried the recipe because I knew it would be worth it if the recipe was even half as good as the “real” thing.

In reality, these baked onion rings were so much better than I expected them to be. The bread crumb coating crisped up to a beautiful crunchy bite. The onion on the inside was tender, but not overcooked. The Créole seasoning- because you can’t go wrong with Tony’s- lends just the right amount of zing.

I know this next part is going to sound like an exaggeration, but I swear it’s not. I think these baked onion rings might beat the fried version for me. I know, I know, big talk. But hear me out.

First, it’s tough to find a restaurant that does onion rings well. Most fast food restaurants just can’t hack it. Second, even decent restaurant onion rings tend to leave your mouth feeling coated in oil. It’s not pleasant. Lastly, let’s not forget the part where, inevitably, the hot onion slides out of its breading tunnel and slaps against your chin. That’s my favorite.

The only thing missing was a great sauce. Ketchup got the job done, but I kept wishing for some homemade ranch or a little comeback sauce.

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homemade buttermilk ranch dressing

September 21, 2015 by Abby

You don’t have to settle for the gloopy bottled stuff. Homemade buttermilk ranch dressing is fresher and lighter, and it’s the perfect condiment for just about anything.

A lot of my from-scratch recipes come about because, whenever possible, I prefer to know what goes into the food I feed my family.

This is not one of those recipes. I set out to make homemade ranch dressing because I was tired of how gross the bottled version is. I love the ranch dressing available at restaurants, but the store-bought kind just doesn’t measure up. I wanted access to restaurant style ranch at home.

I eat this ranch on everything. Clearly, it’s awesome on salads. It’s also amazing on chicken tacos, as a dip for veggies and chips, and served with chicken nuggets or French fries.

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easy homemade french fries

September 16, 2015 by Abby

With this crazy method, easy homemade French fries are made by placing sliced potatoes in cold oil. They cook as the oil heats up, giving you fries with tender centers and crunchy exteriors.

When it comes to frying things, my Oregonian really shows through. I’m horrible at it. I can’t even seem to cook bacon properly on the stove; I usually just use the oven or the microwave.

My inability to fry things doesn’t typically bother me; it’s not like we need to eat food bathed in oil. Plus, don’t get me started on the mess. Oil pops and splatters and generally gets all over the range, the bar countertop, and my clothes. It never fails to hit the area of my shirt not covered by an apron.

So what’s so different about this recipe? It’s the coolest thing; you slice your potatoes like normal, but you put them into cold oil instead of hot. As the oil heats up, the insides of the fries cook. When the oil is hot, the exteriors crisp up and turn golden. You have perfectly cooked French fries without traditional double-frying or hot oil splattering all over.

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5 foods you should be making at home

August 21, 2015 by Abby

5 foods you should be making at home because it’s cheaper, easier, and better for your family. No, really.

I’ve been known to buy convenience foods from time to time (and even write blog posts about them), but I try to make from scratch when it’s realistic. Sometimes I make foods instead of buying them because the homemade version is cheaper. Sometimes it’s because I don’t have easy access to the store-bought variety. Sometimes, it’s because homemade just tastes better.

1. refried beans
I’ve been making these “refried” beans from Pennies and Pancakes for years. Not only are they healthy and easy, but they’re a way better value than the canned variety. When I make a batch of these beans, I freeze them in freezer bags so I can use a little at a time. I love to add them to copycat taco bell mexican pizzas or mason jar taco salad.

2. microwave popcorn

After making my own microwave popcorn for several years, I can honestly say there’s no comparison. The homemade version is fresh and flavorful, not to mention completely customized to my preference each time I make it.

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roasted red pepper hummus

August 10, 2015 by Abby

Roasted red pepper hummus, packed with nutrition and flavor, is surprisingly easy to make at home.

Hummus is one of my favorite snacks. It’s filling and flavorful, the perfect dip for sliced bell peppers or carrot sticks. During the school year, it’s a staple in my lunch bag.

I used to buy hummus at Sam’s Club. It’s a reasonable price, and I would definitely recommend buying it that way if convenience is your priority. If you have a few minutes to make it at home, though, or if maximum flavor is important to you, go ahead and make it from scratch.

Making your own hummus allows you complete control over the ingredients. This recipe packs a flavor punch you won’t find in the store-bought version. The roasted red peppers are the star, with their bold smokiness and subtle sweetness. The cumin offers the perfect amount of heat, and the garlic brings it all together with it’s spicy nuttiness.

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how to make kool-aid playdough

June 24, 2015 by Abby

Adding a packet of Kool-Aid to homemade playdough is a simple way to give your batch a vibrant color and a fun, fruity smell.

Summa summa summatime! My Facebook and Pinterest feeds are full of creative outdoor activities to keep kids occupied this summer. Soda bottle sprinklers, lawn-size board games, any number of homemade paints and chalks; you could try a different craft every day all summer long.

But can I tell you a secret? I don’t like outside. I live in Mississippi, where summer is really freaking hot and humid. I’m a fair-skinned (read: I burn like toast) mom of two fair-skinned ginger kids. We avoid the sun with vampiric skill. So when school’s out for the summer, we turn to creative ways to have fun indoors, including this Kool-Aid playdough.

I love that it’s easy to make and it’s easy to double or triple the recipe. This playdough is soft and smooth, not grainy like the store-bought version. You can customize it using your child’s favorite color, and along with the rich color comes a pleasant smell.

Kool-Aid playdough is an excellent opportunity to discuss the five senses: your kids can touch the smooth dough, they can smell its fruity scent, they can see its vibrant color, they can hear it plop on the table, and they can even taste its salty flavor. [Read more…]