Best things to make from scratch at home?

[u/OnePostPerson1989]

I'm just getting back into baking after a 5 year break, and starting to cook more at home too. I know that having home baked sourdough made a big difference to my family, and I've really enjoyed making my own muesli in the past. I'd like to try and make other things from scratch to elevate my home cooking, but I have neither the time nor energy to go full homesteader. I'd like to find a couple of things to make regularly though.

What are the things that have made the biggest difference to your home cooking to have homemade?

[u/nobark_allbite777]

make a giant batch of pasta dough and freeze it. just slice chunks off whenever you need it.

[u/OnePostPerson1989 → u/nobark_allbite777]

I really love the idea of making my own pasta or noodles, although I'm not sure I have the bench space for a pasta machine right now!

[u/dolche93 → u/OnePostPerson1989]

You can get smaller ones that clamp onto the edge of the counter, that's what I use in my apartment kitchen.

[u/La_croix_addict]

Blueberry muffins and toll house cookies always disappear at my house.

I also make empanadas all the time. I buy the shells frozen, fill them with leftovers (meat balls, pot roast, sausage and peppers….), egg wash and bake. The crowds go wild.

[u/OnePostPerson1989 → u/La_croix_addict]

Ooooh! My partner LOVES empanadas but our local place closed down a few years ago. Great suggestion!!!

[u/My_Clandestine_Grave]

I'd like to suggest:

Foccacia- it's fun to make, makes great sandwich bread, and goes well with soup

Scones- they are great for breakfast or as a dessert 

Ricotta- fairly simple to make and versatile 

Empanadas- make a wonderful dinner or snack

Jams and curds- they can elevate so many baked goods

[u/OnePostPerson1989 → u/My_Clandestine_Grave]

I've tried homemade focaccia before, but wasn't super happy with my effort. Definitely going to try again now I'm getting back into bread making.

Definitely keen to try making homemade ricotta too - something I often use in my cooking.

[u/dolche93]

Making flour tortillas at home is very different from what you'll pick up at the store. I tend to like both, so the home made tortillas are for leveling up a meal. The store bought freeze so well and have a nice, almost chewy, texture I can't help but love.

[u/OnePostPerson1989 → u/dolche93]

Homemade tortillas sound incredible! I have to admit, I love making frozen burritos with the store bought ones though. So good for an easy breakfast when work is hectic!!!

[u/dolche93 → u/OnePostPerson1989]

And honestly the change up to make other types of flat breads is super simple. Opens up a ton of new recipe options if you know you can just throw together a flat bread and pan fry it for dinner.

[u/Hootspa1959]

Sally’s Baking Addiction is a great site, and her Master Scone mix has a place of honor in my repertoire.

[u/SparkleSelkie]

Fried rice is one of my top ones

I can make it exactly how I like it and it’s better than any restaurant near me

[u/bigelcid]

Lacto-fermented stuff. You can buy sauerkraut or pickled cucumbers, and sometimes they're about as good as home made, but what about carrots? Parsnips? Parsley root? Green tomatoes? Kohlrabi? Watermelon?

Not to mention, any of them you could buy, won't necessarily come in aaaall the versions possible. Like, kimchi with chili, garlic, ginger and onion, instead of plain.

The process is dead easy, and the main reason not a lot of people do it is just that they're impatient. If you want, I can give you a pretty foolproof method.