Post Title

Pupusas

(Salvadoran stuffed masa flatbread)Pupusas are similar to corn tortillas, only thicker and stuffed with cheese, beans or meat. The pupusa originated in El Salvador, but it is also popular in neighboring Honduras.

Ingredients

1. Masa harina -- 2 cups
2. Warm water -- 1 cup
3. Filling (see variations) -- 1 cup

Directions

1. Pupusas de Queso: With a cheese filling. Use grated quesillo, queso fresco, farmer's cheese, mozzarella, Swiss cheese or a combination. Add some minced green chile if you like.
2. Pupusas de Chicharrones: With a filling of fried chopped pork and a little tomato sauce. A reasonable facsimile can be made by pulsing 1 cup of cooked bacon with a little bit of tomato sauce in a food processor.
3. Pupusas de Frijoles Refritos: With a refried bean filling.
4. Pupusas Revueltas: Use a mixture of chicharrones, cheese and refried beans.
5. Pupusas de Queso y Loroco: With a cheese and tropical vine flower filling. Loroco can be found in jars at many Latin markets.
6. Pupusas de Arroz: A variety of pupusa that uses rice flour instead of corn masa.
7. Cooked potatoes or finely minced, sautéed jalapeño peppers are also tasty fillings. Try a mixture of different fillings.
8. The above recipe uses masa harina, a special dried cornmeal flour used in making tortillas, tamales, etc. If you are able to get fresh masa, definitely use it instead. The flavor will be much fresher. Just substitute the masa harina and water with fresh masa. One pound will make about 4-6 pupusas depending on size.
9. Method 1. In a large bowl, mix together the masa harina and water and knead well. Knead in more water, one tablespoonful at a time if needed, to make a moist, yet firm dough. (It should not crack at the edges when you press down on it.) Cover and set aside to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
10. Roll the dough into a log and cut it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
11. Press an indentation in each ball with your thumb. Put about 1 tablespoon of desired filling into each indentation and fold the dough over to completely enclose it. Press the ball out with your palms to form a disc, taking care that that the filling doesn't spill out.
12. Line a tortilla press with plastic and press out each ball to about 5-6 inches wide and about 1/4-inch thick. If you don't have a tortilla press, place the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper and roll it out with a rolling pin.
13. Heat an ungreased skillet over medium-high flame. Cook each pupusa for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and blistered. Remove to a plate and hold warm until all pupusas are done. Serve with curtido and salsa roja.

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Rain

It's been 5 days of steady rain for California. It's been strange to
be so homebound during this time. But a bad back combined with kidney
stones has laid me low.

Looking forward to some sunshine. Though I must say our new home is
very cozy and the fireplace puts our some heat. Our old one didn't.

New Math

Fifty Years of Math 1957 - 2009 (in the USA )

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried.. Why do I tell you this? Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:

1. Teaching Math In 1950s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?

2. Teaching Math In 1960s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

3. Teaching Math In 1970s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math In 1980s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

5. Teaching Math In 1990s

A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20.. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok.)

6. Teaching Math In 2009

Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

Great Blonde Joke

A young blonde in Florida wanted to take home a pair of
genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very
reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking.

After becoming very frustrated with the attitude of one of
the shopkeepers, the young Blonde declared, 'Well then,
maybe I'll just go out and catch my own alligator and
get a pair of shoes for free!

The shopkeeper said with a sly smile, 'Well little
lady, why don't you go-on and give it a try?'

The blonde headed off to the swamp, determined to catch an
alligator. Later in the day, as the shopkeeper is driving home, he spots;
the same young woman standing waist deep in the murky
water, shotgun in hand. As he brings his car to a stop, he sees a
huge 9-foot gator swimming rapidly toward her.

With lightning reflexes, the Blonde takes aim, shoots the
creature and hauls it up onto the slippery bank. Nearby were
7 more dead gators, all lying belly up. The shopkeeper stood on the bank, watching in silent amazement.

The blonde struggles mightily and manages to flip the gator
onto its back. Rolling her eyes heavenward, she screams in frustration,
'Good grief! THIS ONE'S BAREFOOT, TOO!'

This is a really great banana bread. Give it a try!

Banana Sour Cream Bread

I know, you're probably thinking, 'Oh no! Another banana bread recipe!' But this one is a little different: the sour cream makes this one so moist it melts in your mouth. The flavor is just wonderful! This one is great for gift giving and holidays. Loaves freeze well.

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup white sugar
2. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3. 3/4 cup butter
4. 3 cups white sugar
5. 3 eggs
6. 6 very ripe bananas, mashed
7. 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
8. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
9. 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
10. 1/2 teaspoon salt
11. 3 teaspoons baking soda
12. 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
13. 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease four 7x3 inch loaf pans. In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Dust pans lightly with cinnamon and sugar mixture.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and 3 cups sugar. Mix in eggs, mashed bananas, sour cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Mix in salt, baking soda and flour. Stir in nuts. Divide into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

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Tea Party

GoE2007 088 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

GoE2007 088 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Ha, took me a moment before I got this. Very funny.

Talent Show

We had a talent show at school last week. Elizabeth played an
interesting composition of "This Little Light if Mine"

She did a great job.