Home made tortilla chips and ideas for using your powdered milk.

Before I get to the tortilla chips, I wanted to answer a question about canning milk, and the question came about because of children not liking to drink powdered milk (me too!). So I'll offer some kid-friendly tips for drinkable powdered milk and a link to an interesting article on canning up milk in a pressure canner. First off, here are some suggestions for using the powdered milk.

*Use Nestle's strawberry quick or chocolate syrup to the milk or even a little vanilla. I've never had any complaints after that.

*Make use of your milk in french toast, pudding, shakes and smoothies, etc. My family doesn't seem to notice the taste there either.

*For adults, try using a whey based "powdered milk" like Morning Moos, it has a creamier taste. (I say adults because the whey based milks don't contain all nutrients of regular powdered milk-who knows, check the content and perhaps you can mix the whey product with reg. powdered milk and still get enough of what the itty-bittys need).

*Try a boxed milk. My oldest is lactose intolerant so we store Costco's Vanilla Soy and the kids like that too. The shelf life is 1 year. There is also a real milk called Parmalat and it has the same shelf life as the soy. The Parmalat has peaked my interest, so as soon as I get my hands on one I'll give you the 411.

*I've read that evaporated milk in a can can be diluted and used as regular milk. Not sure on that haven't tried it yet. Maybe if it's really chilled....

*Lastly, I've found an interesting article on canning your own milk in a pressure canner. From what I've read you can use store bought too. I'm going to try some next time I use my canner. I'll give a full report after. Till then, you can read all about it HERE.

Now, for the tortilla chips. I've added the recipe for Cinna Strips, but for plain, simply omit the shaking of all things sugary. I used the recipe for tortillas that I posted HERE. You can use store bought, but the homemade are unbelievable and worth at least a try. The wheat tortillas were great in this recipe too, kids loooooved them.

Fried Cinna Strips (use plain for regular tortilla chips)

1 C. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

10 flour tortillas (8")

vegetable oil

In a large resealable plastic bag combine sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg, set aside. Cut tortillas into 3"x2" strips. Heat 1 inch of oil in a skillet or electric fry pan to 375º. Fry 4-5 strips at a time for 30 seconds on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. While still warm place strips in plastic bag w/ sugar mixture; shake until gently coated. Store in airtight container. Yield: 5 dozen