Winter Warning

When it snows in the south, we shut down.
I laughed right out loud the first time I saw it snow after I'd moved to Georgia. There I was driving down the highway and all the cars began to slow down. My passenger informed me that if it began to stick to the sides of the road, we'd be stuck.
"What?!!"

Yep. When it snows in the south (particularly if it sticks) everything comes to a halt. If there isn't much warning before the snow begins to fall, driving down the highway you might see car, after car, after car pulled to the side of the road. We just don't get the opportunity to practice driving on slick roads 'round here, you can't blame us really. I'll admit, though I learned to drive and passed my driving test on snow covered roads I don't know if, after 20 years of southern living, I could safely traverse them without a bit of practice.

Like many, before the snow arrived I traveled out in anticipation of the winter weather. Unlike most, my purpose was to get the ingredients for hot cocoa for my children who were sure to "need" it between moments of play in the snow; not join the run on bread, water, and milk. I began my trip amused by the number of people making what I would consider their last minute trips. Frankly, I'd been amused most of the day reading through the posts on my Facebook feed dealing with the need for last minute items. I'd even solicited for pictures of emptying shelves should any of my friends find themselves in store aisles. (Thanks, Jennifer G.)

It was while walking through the store myself that my thinking about the rapidly depleting shelves began to change. Were so many really that ill prepared for what some would consider an emergency? Were so few so unaware that were they to be without water for two or three days a case of bottled water wouldn't sustain all their water needs?

Most disturbing to me was the bread aisle. I'm not so naïve that I don't realize how few people know how to bake their own bread anymore. It wasn't that, though that's sad, it was that even the hot dog and hamburger buns were recognized as a form of bread, but the tortillas almost seemed to be untouched.

Tortilla's just happen to be one of the easiest forms of bread to make and VERY versatile. Go ahead, think for just a moment of the different ways you could use a tortilla in a meal. Just need a sandwich? Why not a peanut butter and jelly roll? Not appealing? A mini pizza? Of course my children's favorite way to eat tortillas are in quesadillas. Sometimes I'll pull out salsa, olives, re-fried beans, Taco TVP, cheese, sour cream, onions, tomatoes, or whatever and just let them put their own together. Then place them on a cookie sheet to broil for a few moments, turn them over and give them a few moments more. Tah-dah! A lunch that makes every one happy. 

During my second semester of college a friend taught me how to make tortillas (Thank you, Jennifer KC.); with little money to live on I at them regularly. (It's on this I blame my freshman-15.) Not only are the ingredients cheap, making tortillas is EASY. 

The BEST thing about tortillas is all the ingredients are extremely shelf stable and will last in your home store for a long time. Check your pantry, there's a good chance you've got the basic ingredients right now. 

Flour
Shortening - I've also used butter and vegetable oil
Salt
Oh yeah, and water. 

Simply combine your ingredients, roll out the created dough and toast in a skillet on each side. Here, here, and here are just a few recipes.

Well, with a pantry stocked with what you need, why would you venture out in to the elements for last minute bread?