You can make ghee easily at home. How to make Ghee Ghee is essentially clarified butter. I use organic cultured(European style)UNSALTED butter as the end product tastes richer than with regular butter. Bring the cubes of butter to room temperature so they melt evenly when you start to cook them. Use a heavy bottomed saucepan that has enough height as the ghee will foam during cooking. Make sure the pan and the spoon are thoroughly dry. Add the butter to the pan and cook on medium low heat. In the beginning you want to stir well to prevent over cooking the ghee and burning it. Once the butter is all melted, continue cooking the ghee. It will foam and rise. Keep stirring to prevent burning. The ghee is cooked and done when the foaming subsides and the color is a pale caramel color. Be careful. It is very very hot. Take it off the heat immediately. Due to the retained heat in the pot, the ghee will continue to darken a bit more. Decant when it has cooled but still liquid to a clean glass or metal jar with a tight fitting lid. Use sparingly as this is high in fat. Ghee is highly aromatic and is amazing in omlets, for toasting nuts etc. Keeps forever in the fridge. It will be solid like butter but you can scrape a spoonful as needed. and will melt like butter. If the ghee is very pale and whitish, it needs to be cooked a bit more. If you have dregs in the bottom of the pan, just drain the liquid and use the dregs immediately. This is how my grandmother taught me to cook ghee the traditional Indian way. Ghee and unfiltered unrefined cold pressed coconut oil and raw sesame oil were pretty much the only fats used in cooking then.

These are some recipes I've used in classes I've taught at the Food Bank, Sr. Citizen Center, and at the Co. Extension Office on Using USDA Food Commodities. -Grainlady WHITE SAUCE MIX 1/2 pound butter or margarine 2 c. plus 2 T. nonfat dry milk powder 1 c. flour 3 t. salt Combine all ingredients. Mix well with a pastry blender, food processor, or even an electric mixer. The mix will be granular in texture. It will keep well covered in jars in the refrigerator. To make a medium white sauce: add 1/2 c. dry mix to 1 cup hot water and cook until it thickens. Use the same proportions for larger amounts. To make cheese sauce: add 1/2 c. cheese to each cup of white sauce. You can change the amount of cheese, depending on how much "cheesy" flavor you want. Thin the cheese sauce with some liquid milk and add some cooked broccoli for cream of broccoli soup. Toss in some bacon bits, chives, etc. to add additional taste. Substitute broccoli with cooked potato. Potato Soup Made with White Sauce Mix (6 servings) 1 t. salt 1 c. water 2 c. finely chopped potatoes 2 T. chopped onion 1/2 c. chopped celery 3/4 c. White Sauce Mix 3 c. liquid (try liquid from cooked vegetables plus additional water) Put the water and salt in a pan. Heat to boiling. Add the vegetables. Cook until tender. Stir the White Sauce Mix into 3 cups of liquid. Cook until slightly thick. Stir all the time. Add cooked vegetables to the white sauce. Heat 3 or 4 minutes. ------------------- Carrot Soup Made with White Sauce Mix (6 servings) 1/2 t. salt 1-1/2 c. water 2 T. chopped celery 2 c. finely chopped carrots 1 T. chopped onion 3/4 c. White Sauce Mix 3 c. liquid (liquid from cooked vegetables plus water) Put the salt in the 1-1/2 c. water in a pan. Heat to boiling. Add the vegetables. Cook until tender. Stir the White Sauce Mix into the 3 cups of liquid. Cook until slightly thick. Stir all the time. Add the cooked vegetables to the white sauce. Heat 3-4 minutes. ----------------------------- Casserole Sauce Mix (using nonfat dried milk powder) (Source: Iowa State University Extension) This sauce mix is also a substitute for canned condensed soups. 2 c. nonfat dry milk powder 3/4 c. cornstarch 1/4 c. instant chicken bouillon 2 T. dried onion flakes 1 t. dried thyme, crushed (optional) 1 t. dried basil, crushed (optional) 1/2 t. pepper Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To use as substitute for ONE can condensed soup: Mix 1/3 cup of the dry mix with 1-1/4 c. water in a sauce pan. Cook and stir until thickened. Add 1 T. butter, if desired. If you want, you can add some mushrooms (canned or dehydrated) for "mushroom soup", add celery for cream of celery. ---------------------- Hot Beverages (Mixes - using non-fat dry milk powder.) Add hot water and enjoy . (Note: the small amount of baking soda in each recipe is used to increase the solubility of the mix in water. For best dissolving results, put the mix in the cup then pour in hot water. For people on low-sodium diets, baking soda should NOT be used. If you substitute sugar with a non-calorie sweetener, be sure to use less than called for due to the difference in bulk of sugar VS sweetener.) Cafe Cappuccino 1/2 c. instant coffee granules 3/4 c. sugar 1 c. non-fat dry milk powder 1/2 t. dried orange peel 1/8 t. baking soda Mash orange peel in mortar and pestle or in a bowl with the back of a spoon. Stir all ingredients together. If possible, put in blender until powdered. Place 2 rounded teaspoons in cup for each 6 to 8 ounces of water. Yield: 1 c. dry mix, or enough to make 20 cups at 40 calories each; 17 calories if powdered sweetener is used. --------------------- Cafe Francaise 1/2 c. instant coffee granules 1/4 c. sugar 1-1/4 c. non-fat dry milk powder 1/8 t. baking soda Stir ingredients together. If possible, put in blender until powdered. Place 2 rounded t. in cup for each 6-8 ounces of water. Yield: 1 cup dry mix. Enough to make 20 cups at 25 calories each: 20 calories if powdered sweetener is used. -------------------- Italian Mocha Espresso 1 c. instant coffee granules 1 c. sugar 4-1/2 c. non-fat dry milk powder 1/2 c. cocoa 1/2 t. baking soda Stir ingredients together. If possible, put in blender until powdered. Use 2 T. for each 4 ounces of water (serve in a small demitasse cup). Yield: 4-1/2 c. dry mix. Each mix to make 36 cups at 60 calories each. This is a VERY strong and rich coffee. Artificial sweetener is not recommended for this recipe. ----------------- Cave Vienna 1/2 c. instant coffee granules 2/3 c. sugar 2/3 c. non-fat dry milk powder 1/2 t. cinnamon 1/8 t. baking soda Stir ingredients together. If possible, put in blender until powdered. Place 2 rounded teaspoons in cup for each 6-8 ounces of water. Yield: 1 cup dry mix. Enough to make 20 cups at 35 calories each; 12 calories if powdered sweetener is used. ---------------- Swiss Mocha 1/2 c. instant coffee granules 1/2 c. sugar 1 c. non-fat dry milk powder 2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder 1/8 t. baking soda Stir ingredients together. If possible, put in blender until powdered. Place 2 rounded teaspoons in cup for each 6-8 ounces of water. Yield: 1 cup dry mix. Enough to make 20 cups at 40 calories each; 17 calories if powdered sweetener is used. ------------ Mexican Cocoa 1-1/2 c. sugar 4-1/2 c. non-fat dry milk powder 1 c. unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 t. cinnamon 1/2 t. baking soda 1/2 c. instant coffee granules (optional) Stir ingredients together, if possible, put in blender until powdered. Use 3 T. for each 8 ounces of water. Yield: 4-1/2 c. dry mix. Enough to make 24 cups at 105 calories each; 70 calories if powdered sweetener is used. ------------------------------ Whipped Topping using non-fat dried milk powder 1/2 c. ice water 1 T. lemon juice 1/2 c. dry milk powder 1/2 c. sugar Mix ice water and dry milk. Whip until soft peaks form. Add lemon juice and continue to beat until the peaks are firm. Add the sugar. Refrigerate and use in a short while. It can be dropped in servings on an open tray and frozen. Package and keep frozen until it is used. For a creamy tint, add 1 or 2 drops of yellow food coloring. About 10 calories per tablespoon; makes about 3 cups. ------------------ Strawberry Fluff (using Whipped Topping recipe above) 1 10-oz. package frozen strawberries, thawed OR 1-1/2 c. fresh sliced strawberries 1/2 t. unflavored gelatin, softened in 1/2 c. cold water 2 c. whipped dry milk topping (above) Soften the gelatin in the cold water and heat to dissolve. Drain the berries. Add enough water to the juice to make 1/2 cup. Mix dissolved gelatin and juice. Chill until mixture is consistency of unbeaten egg white. Add strawberries and whip until light and fluffy. Combine whipped dry milk topping and strawberry mixture. Chill until mixture mounds in the spoon. Place in dessert dishes and refrigerate until served. 6 servings, 1/2 cup each. 90 calories per serving. -------------------------- Orange Whipped Topping 1/2 c. instant non-fat dried milk powder 1/2 c. ice cold orange juice 2 T. orange marmalade Chill electric beaters and a small mixer bowl. Place non-fat dry milk powder and orange juice in chilled bowl. Beat on highest speed until stiff (4-5 minutes). Fold in orange marmalade. Serve at once (nice as a topping on a snack cake). Makes about 2-1/2 cups. Pineapple Whipped Topping 1/2 c. instant non-fat dried milk powder 1/2 c. ice cold unsweetened pineapple juice 2-3 T. powdered sugar Chill electric beaters and a small mixer bowl. Place non-fat dry milk and pineapple juice in chilled bowl. Beat on highest speed until stiff (4-5 minutes). Fold in powdered sugar. Serve at once. Makes about 2-1/2 cups. Lemon Whipped Topping 1/2 c. instant non-fat dried milk powder 1/2 c. ice water 3 T. lemon juice 4-5 T. powdered sugar Chill electric beaters and a small mixer bowl. Place non-fat dry milk powder and ice water in chilled bowl. Beat on highest speed until soft peaks form (3-4 minutes). Add lemon juice. Beat until stiff (3-4 minutes longer). Fold in powdered sugar. Serve at once. Makes about 3-1/2 cups. Great on gingerbread. -------------------------- Snacks/Treats/Candy Using powdered milk. Logs 1 c. non-fat dry milk powder 1 c. honey (or agave nectar if avoiding high-glycemic sweeteners) 1 c. peanut butter 1 c. wheat germ 1 c. raisins 1 c. oatmeal (lightly toasted 1/2 c. chopped pecans 1/2 c. unsweetened coconut 1/2 c. sesame seeds (OR kasha) 1 c. (or more) graham cracker crumbs Combine all ingredients except graham cracker crumbs in large bowl; mix well. Shape into 2-inch logs. Roll in graham cracker crumbs. Yield: 24 logs. Honeys 1 c. chunky peanut butter 1 c. honey (OR agave nectar for a low-glycemic sweetener) 1 c. non-fat dry milk powder 1-1/2 c. crushed wheat CHEX cereal 60 whole wheat CHEX 2 c. crushed rice CHEX cereal Combine first 4 ingredients in bowl; mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Press 1 whole wheat Chex into each ball. Roll in crushed rice cereal. Chill, covered, for 2 hours. Yield: 6- snacks. Peanut Butter Snacks 1/2 c. peanut butter 1/2 c. honey (OR agave nectar for a low-glycemic alternative) 1 c. toasted wheat germ 2 T. non-fat dry milk powder 1/2 c. raisins (OR currants, OR dates, Or other dried fruit) 1/2 c. unsweetened coconut Combine peanut butter, honey, wheat germ and dry milk powder in bowl; mix well. Stir in fruit. Shape into balls. Roll in coconut, coating well. Store, covered, in refrigerator. Yield: 15 snacks. Microwave Treats 3/4 c. peanut butter 1/4 c. honey (OR agave nectar) 3 T. butter 1/2 c. non-fat dried milk powder 1/2 c. sunflower seeds (shelled - raw or roasted - your choice) 1/3 c. sesame seeds 1/3 c. crushed cereal (flakes - bran or cornflakes, or Chex, etc.) 1/4 c. chopped dried apricots (OR other dried fruit of choice) 2/3 c. unsweetened coconut Microwave peanut butter, honey and butter in 1-1/2-quart glass casserole on HIGH until melted. Stir in next 5 ingredients. Shape into balls. Roll in coconut. Chill for 3 hours. Yield: 30 snacks.

grainlady, I didn't know about phytates in oatmeal; knew they were in wheat. If soaking gets them out, don't you need to drain off that water full of phytates and replace it with fresh? For my whole childhood I was "made" to eat oatmeal and hated it. The glutinous quality always got me. My mom would put a big chunk of butter on there (double yuk), maybe some cinnamon, even jam she tried. Hated them all. When I found I liked Cream of Wheat (a little) I was allowed to switch to that; could only get that down with chocolate chips tossed on and allowed to melt. As an adult my brother switched to steel-cut oats but I don't care for those either. Then making oatmeal once for my Dad at my house I found out what the problem was: overcooking. Now I actually like it. I use regular oats and cook it in the microwave for 2 minutes a bowl, just so it's soft enough but hasn't started releasing the gluey stuff. Now I cook it with dried cranberries in it and add 2 T of ground flax seed. The flax seed adds a LOT to the flavor: to me it tastes sort of like ground almonds. Then top off with a scant half teaspoon of maple syrup: a little goes a long way; it has so much flavor that you barely notice that amount of sweetness.

That Cheddar Sage really is good, isn't it. I'm experimenting now to see how well it freezes. Got one out there that will come out this weekend. Did you ever see that Lemon Bread recipe I'd posted on the things to do with lemon thread? That's another great one; albeit a quick bread. Here's a traditional bread (versions of this go back at least to the 18th century) you might like: Rye 'N Injun Bread 1 cup boiling water 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/3 cup molasses 5 tbls butter 1 tsp salt 1 cup cornmeal 2 envelopes yeast 2 cups rye flour 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour Combine boiling water, pumpkin, molasses, butter and salt and stir in cornmeal. Let mixture stand. Proof yeast in 1/3 cup lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar for 10 minutes. Add to pumpkin mixture, stir in flours, and combine well. Turn mixture out on well floured surface and knead it well, adding more flour if necessary, for 10 minutes. Put dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise until double in bulk. Punch down, halve dough, and form each half into a ball. Put each ball in a greased 8-inch cake tin and let rise until couble in bulk. Cut a cross in the top of each loaf and bake in a hot oven (375) for 15 minutes. Lower heat to 325 and bake an additional 45 minutes to one hour, until they are brown and sound hollow. Alternative: Shape dough into balls about the size of a handball, and flatten into patties. Let rise and bake.