I have an iron tortilla press but have not gotten around to using it yet, and I've had it more than a year. I like the idea of making my own corn tortillas because here the packages are so large that it is difficult to use them all before they go bad. I've got leftover smoked chicken that would be good in tacos. I've had many tacos in Mexico that look like the ones you make! Chipotle chilies are typically smoke-dried, and so you would only find dried ones in the store - or in cans. They are typically made from ripe (red) jalapenos, but I add habaneros to the grill when I make them. The last batch I made came out so hot that it is lasting me a very long time, but I still love it. I have several habanero plants in my garden with chilies on them, but the jalapenos are finished. Lars This post was edited by publickman on Wed, Jan 30, 13 at 12:15

I think the vacuum sealer is the only way to freeze things and ever want to eat them again. Seriously, I've pulled stuff out of the freezer one year later, and it tastes as fresh as the day I made it. The easiest way to deal with left-overs for us is to package them in one-two servings, so there aren't any leftovers once the package comes out of the freezer. I do a lot of ''banking'' of meals just for the freezer for the times I don't want to cook. Dibs and dabs hardly ever get used for me, so freezing food that way doesn't work in my household. Instead, I find I'll use it if it's more a complete meal, which is ready to defrost and reheat, or even go from the freezer into the oven. (I start those meals from a cold oven and use a pyrex type of glass dish. Actually it's all Fire King to be more specific, but they work great in this instance. I freeze, then vacuum seal the whole thing, dish and all. I have many, just for this purpose.) I always try to have an ''intention'' for things I freeze; marking the package for its intended purpose, so I won't have to figure it out. I also mark temperature and time, so it's easy to deal with. No matter what you think about vacuum sealing (too expensive, too much trouble, etc.), it's the one appliance that gets the most use in my kitchen, and Paid For Itself the first month I used it. I think they are tailor-made for small households. No more stale chips (ever), and lettuce fresh from the garden lasts two weeks. I bought the last one at Tuesday Morning for fifty bucks, and can tell you I don't throw any food out any more. You do have to leave it out in order to use it conveniently though.

You need to share the citrus dressing recipe ; it sounds good. Fixed a good salad with mixed greens and all kinds of stuff, lol. Robert didn't want ginger dressing again, so I whipped up creamy green goddess type of concoction.....then put our leftover salmon from last night on top. I am going to have to get some asparagus!

My day was very, very busy again. I'm so tired, I want to go to bed already. Dreary weather in Ohio, but no rain. I fixed chicken tenders tonight. My one sister makes them with just putting P.Newman Olive Oil and Vinegar on them and baking. I liked them that way too as they weren't dry. Next time though, I'll add a little red pepper flakes for color and kick. Had mashed potatoes and fordhook lima beans. I hope you can get some pain relief while you're waiting to see the dentist. Shirley