In the past two weeks I have learned a valuable lesson… when to creatively adapt recipes to available ingredients and when it is better to not experiment.
Lesson one: Tapioca Pudding
I have to say that since I started rationing – I have made a lot more pudding. It is great, it uses milk (which fresh is not rationed) and there doesn’t have to be a lot of sugar in it. My favorite pudding is tapioca. It just tastes like a warm hug!
I planned to make tapioca and I soaked the beads in milk for a day. When I started to make it- I didn’t realize that I was short one cup of milk! What to Do? I still wanted my pudding (yes I know it is kind of extravagant with 2 eggs!) But I could just taste the warm, gooie, yumminess. Well- I didn’t have any powder milk or canned, but I did realize that I had soy flour. I have drunk soy milk before, and technically wouldn’t soy flour in water equal soy milk?
I have now discovered that it doesn’t taste like soy milk. It tastes like flour. Yucky, awful flour.
Most people would say that the pudding was ruined – but I found if you put a ¼ C of vanilla in it… it didn’t taste too bad. I do think it was a waist of eggs and sugar.
Lesson 2: Yogurt
Trying to be point thrifty… I decided to make my own yogurt. Again – fresh milk was not rationed… but yogurt was. I went to the store and bought a gallon of skim milk (problem #1). I had my own plain yogurt for the starter (problem #2 – the yogurt was 6 months out of date … it didn’t smell or taste bad so it should be ok?). I cooked my milk till it looked hot enough – It needed to be an exact temperature and I didn’t have a thermometer (problem #3). Then let it cool – eventually putting in the starter.
I let it sit in the yogurt maker for a day. I couldn’t wait to see what happened. Much to my surprise – when I opened the top… there was cheese! Somehow I made a very soft cheese! Realizing that there was no way to rescue the yogurt… I put the curds in a cheese cloth and let it drain.
I am not sure what I will use the cheese for… or if it is safe to eat… but lesson learned here is that if a person is going to make something… actually follow the directions!
As a yogurt maker, may this perfect stranger make a few suggestions? I agree with you on problems #1 and #2; my favorite is whole milk, and outdated starter probably wasn't the best...but as far as heating the milk, I always bring it to a boil, then let it cool down to the temp of a nice, hot bath ( I check with a clean pinky). If you make a lot (more than one container) at a time, I'd also suggest going through the hassle of sterilizing your containers. It greatly extends the fridge-life of your yogurt.
ReplyDeleteKeep trying! (And have you dared to try that cheese yet?)
I am loving your blog. You are doing a fascinating experiment, and thank you so much for sharing it with all of us!
I am really enjoying your historical experiment! I admire your taking this on.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you going to do about Chrsitmas? Do you have some ration stamps saved up for goodies? Take care, Mary