i take it you do this because it is more cost effective? ~ a bale of peatmoss & a huge bag (which i have)of perlite is a better buy than a large, compressed bag of potting mix? ~ i can never *think* that through, cuz it's like comparing apples & oranges ~ sortof ~ for instance, i bought a *compressed* bale of pro-mix bx for $27 at a feed store ~ i dunno ~ is that a good deal? how the heck do i compare a *compressed* bale to a non-compressed bale? ~ and, boy o boy, it is really compressed ~ i almost have to cut out a chunk with a butcher knife! thanks for any insight ~ phyl

Oops! I seem to have forgotten that I started this thread, but the responses have been very helpful. I think I will definitely to go El Camaguey and buy a tortilla press, although I don't think it has a stainless steel surface like Ann's, which would be nice. I do keep dry masa on hand, but I also keep fresh masa in the freezer - for making what I thought were empanadas, but which are probably quesadillas, at least as they are made in Mexico, and deep fried. As for flour tortillas, since I've found the whole grain tortillas in the market, I probably won't be making too many of those again, although I might want to experiment with some of the whole grain flours I have. I don't especially like tortillas made with all white flour, and corn tortillas are my favorite. When I first visited Vancouver for a long visit (1978 or so), I was shocked that I could not find fresh corn tortillas in the grocery stores (I did find frozen ones, but did not consider that acceptable). At that time, I practically lived on soft tacos (that I made myself, often with tofu), and so I had to make an adjustment. I think I bought some whole wheat crackers instead. I think I will try to find some Hispanic markets, although there aren't any in my immediate neighborhood. There are some in neighboring Mar Vista (where Scott lives), which is less than 2 miles from here. There are several places to buy fresh tamales, but they don't sell tortillas. Anyway, I think I will keep looking and also get the tortilla press. Lars

Do I make My own You betcha...for me and my daughter and friends.. We have a sunbeam day old store, colonial, and pepperidge farm here that sells bread cheap and daily specials. I stock up and put it in my freezer. I love my cinnamon raisin english muffins. But the bread for 50 cents a loat I buy and make croutons! Do I have the recipes...LOL Also, instead of using butter I have found if you use butter flavored spray it saves cooking time and the croutons are crispier. They have an olive oil spray also, but I use olive oil and do not substitue on that. Here are some of my recipes I found that I use and love. Basic Buttered Bread Croutons 4 cups bread cubes 1/2 cup butter, melted Preheat oven to 350F Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. Pour the melted butter over the bread cubes and toss to distribute the butter evenly. Now I like to put my melted butter in my oil sprayer and spray the bread crumbs while I toss them. Either way works though. Place the bread cubes in a single layer in a baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring every 5 minutes for even toasting. Allow the croutons to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container. Freeze them for longer storage. Parmesan Croutons 4 cups Bread Cubes 4 Tbsp Olive Oil 1/2 tsp Oregano 1/2 tsp Salt 4 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese, finely shredded Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss cubed bread with olive oil. Bake until the croutons are a light golden brown. As soon as the croutons are removed from the oven, toss with oregano, cheese and a little salt. Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Spicy Croutons 4 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 1/2 tsp chilli sauce 1 Tbsp Crushed Pepper Flakes 4 cups bread cubes (add more chilli if you want it hotter) Preheat oven to 350ºF Warm oil slightly on stove top in large pan. Add chilli sauce and flakes to oil, mix WELL. Add bread to mixture and toss to coat all the cubes. Transfer to baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Italian Croutons 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1 pinch salt 4 cups bread cubes Preheat oven to 350ºF Warm oil and butter until melted on stove top in large pan. Add seasonings and mix well. Add bread to mixture and toss to coat all the cubes. Transfer to baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Parmesan Italian Croutons 4 cups bread cubes (great with french bread or homemade bread) Toss bread in mixture of 4 Tbsp Butter, melted 3 Garlic Cloves, finely minced 2 Tbsp dried basil 2 Tbsp dried thyme 2 Tbsp Parmesan, grated Preheat oven to 350ºF Warm butter until melted on stove top in large pan. Add garlic and seasonings and mix well. Add bread to mixture and toss to coat all the cubes. Transfer to baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Savory Croutons 1/4 c. Olive Oil 1/4 cup Mayonnaise 1/4 cup French's® Honey Dijon Mustard 1 Tbsp Green Onion, finely chopped 1 Garlic Clove, minced 3/4 tsp dried Oregano 5 cups Bread Cubes Preheat oven to 350ºF Heat Olive oil up in large pan. Whisk in Mayonnaise, Mustard and other ingredients until well combined. Add in the bread crumbs and toss until coated. Transfer to baking sheet and cook in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Garlic/Lemon Croutons 1 Tbsp extra-virgin Olive Oil 1 Tbsp Garlic, finely minced 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped 1 tsp zested Lemon Peel 12 thin baguette bread slices Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix first 4 ingredients in small bowl. Brush over baguette slices and place on baking sheet. Bake croutons until crisp, about 5 - 10 minutes. Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. These are great with seafood salads, soups and salads! Peppered Croutons Yields 4 to 6 servings ½ Loaf Day Old Bread 1 Stick Butter 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper Method - Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dice bread and place in bowl. Melt butter and pour over bread, add salt and pepper. Toss well to coat bread. Place on sheet pan and bake in oven 15  20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Jalapeno Croutons 2 TBSP Butter 2 Jalapenos cored and chopped 3 garlic cloves peeled 2 TBSP Olive Oil 2 cups small bread cubes salt Preheat oven to 375º F In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter in the olive oil. Add the garlic cloves and jalapenos and cook, stirring often without browning, for 6 - 7 minutes. Remove the garlic and chiles from the oil and discard. Add the bread cubes to the skillet, tossing to coat them evenly with the oil. Place on baking sheet in oven and cook until lightly browned stirring occasionally. Season with salt and use warm. Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Sesame croutons 6 slices Firm bread 2 TBSP Butter 2 TBSP Olive oil 1 TBSP Asian sesame oil 1 TBSP Sesame seeds Cut crusts from bread. Dice into 1/2-inch cubes. In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat butter, olive oil, and sesame oil. Add bread cubes and sesame seed, stirring until well coated with butter mixture. Transfer bread cubes to a rimmed baking sheet and spread in a single layer. Bake in a 300º F oven until lightly browned and crisp (25 to 30 minutes). Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Onion Croutons 6 slices French bread, crusts trimmed 2 TBSP bacon drippings 2 TBSP olive oil 1/4 tsp onion powder 1 tsp poppy seed 1/2 tsp sesame seed, toasted 1 TBSP very finely minced onion Cube bread; set aside. Heat remaining ingredients together in a 12" skillet over medium heat; stir in bread cubes until well coated. Remove from heat; spread mixture in a single layer on a rimmed ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 300 until golden and crisp, about 25-30 minutes. Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Sun Dried Tomato Croutons 6 slices French bread, crusts trimmed 2 TBSP butter 2 TBSP olive oil 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground pepper 3 TBSP sun dried tomato well minced in processor Cube bread; set aside. Heat remaining ingredients together in a 12" skillet over medium heat; stir in bread cubes until well coated. Remove from heat; spread mixture in a single layer on a rimmed ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 300 until golden and crisp, about 25-30 minutes. Cool completely and serve. store in an airtight container or freeze until needed. Here is my granddaughters favorite for a snack... Cinnamon croutons... 2 tablespoons softened butter 4 slices white bread 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar ..DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). spray butter flavored pam onto both sides of each slice of bread, and cut into cubes. Place them in a bag or bowl, and pour the cinnamon sugar over them. Shake or stir to coat. Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, then stir and continue baking for 10 more minutes, until toasted Ceasar Salad croutons 1/2 bulb garlic, peeled 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 3/4 (1 pound) loaf sourdough bread, cubed 1 cup ghee What is ghee? this is ghee .. DIRECTIONS Combine garlic and oil in a small saucepan. Simmer until cloves are a light gold color, about 15 minutes. Pour oil through a fine sieve, squeeze all juice from cloves, and then discard the solids. Set garlic oil aside. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly oil a baking sheet. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake, turning bread cubes periodically, until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. In a large, non-stick skillet, melt 1/3 cup ghee with 1/3 cup garlic oil over medium heat. Cook toasted bread cubes in batches until light to medium golden brown, turning frequently. Add more ghee and garlic oil as needed. Turn out into basket lined with paper towels, and drain for about 20 minute

I used to make malts. Kept malt powder on hand for them. Funny story. I took care of an old man named Ken for 8 years. He could be very difficult and was set in his ways. He used to send me to get milkshakes for him. He always said, "No malts! Milkshakes! I hate malts." So I would get a malt for me and a milkshake for him. One time when I was ordering them, I forgot and said, "Two strawberry malts." Then I realized what I had said....but I let it go at that. When I gave it to him, he said, "That is the best milkshake I have ever had." From there on out, I just ordered malts for him.