Free Back to Butter: A Traditional Foods Cookbook - Nourishing Recipes Inspired by Our Ancestors by Molly Chester, Sally Schrecengost

in the center. Fold the edges of the towel over the top of the corn, and use a rolling pin to pound the corn into smaller pieces. Check the corn for any remaining whole pieces and continue to pound until every piece is cracked. Once cracked, the mill should accept the corn with ease. Remember, hominy grits (equivalent to polenta) are
coarsely ground
dried hominy—perfect in our Hominy Pie ( page 144 )—and masa harina (equivalent to corn flour) is
finely ground
dried hominy, which is used to make tortillas, tamales, and more.

CHAPTER 5
NATURAL SWEETENERS
    ENDING OUR SUGAR ADDICTION
    Our entire family was born with one gigantic sweet tooth. Every last one of us has found ultimate bliss in a warm cookie—then again, who hasn’t?
    But over the years, we began to discover the downfalls of white sugar: low energy, frequent colds, moodiness, and even more cravings. Desperate for a fix (and on our way to Traditional Foods), we experimented with more natural sweeteners, and low and behold, we felt better. But it wasn’t until we relegated sweets—even natural ones—to “treat” status that we really noticed a difference. What does that mean? Well for one, the candy bowl gets removed from its permanent post on the counter. Dessert is more of a
no
than a
yes
, and sodas are an absolute rarity. We feel that kids should be rewarded with hugs and stickers over candy and we also feel, based on the personal experience of our own bodies, that radiant health cannot be achieved without sugar becoming a
condiment
and not an
entrée
.
    “Radiant health cannot be achieved without sugar becoming a condiment and not an
entrée.
”
    All of this might sound depressing If you’re a sugar addict, but we have an amazingly effective secret for you: If the amount of healthy fats in a diet goes up, sugar cravings go down. Fats make you feel fuller and more satiated, and keep your blood sugar levels balanced. As a result, your cravings go down—way down—and are replaced with more wholesome desires.
    OUR FAVORITE NATURAL SWEETENERS
    The next segment is a breakdown of the natural sweeteners commonly used in a Traditional Foods diet (and in this cookbook), most of which can be found at your local health food store (but visit the Resources section on page 216 if you’re having any trouble sourcing). Organic is recommended for all.
    And remember, these sweeteners, with the exception of powdered green stevia, should still be regarded as an
occasional
treat and used in moderation.
    POWDERED HONEY GRANULES: THE POWDERED SUGAR SUBSTITUTE
    Powdered honey granules are honey granules broken down to reach a texture similar to that of refined powdered sugar. One cup of honey granules yields 1 cup (120 g) of powdered honey granules.
    TO MAKE: Measure the desired amount into the bowl of a blender. Cover and blend on high speed. Stop every 10 seconds to redistribute the granules. Continue blending until the granules are powdered, but avoid over-blending. The motor of the blender can melt the granules. Store in an airtight glass container in a cool pantry for several months. Warm temperatures may cause the powder to harden over time. Simply reprocess in the blender.
    SUCANAT:
SU
-gar
CA
-ne
NAT
-ural
    Sucanat is pure, dried sugar cane juice. Unlike common white sugar, Sucanat is unrefined and therefore contains the molasses mineral content typically lost in the refining process, resulting in a rustic color and deep flavor. Aesthetically, Sucanat’s closest relative is brown sugar, for which a 1:1 substitution is commonplace; however, Sucanat is more granular, less moist, and more nutritious (brown sugar is typically common white sugar with just a bit of molasses added back). Sucanat is featured in our Chips Off the Old Block ( page 138 ) and Sweet Ham Loaf ( page 195 ).
    RAW HONEY: NATURE’S LIQUID SWEETENER
    Most store-bought honey is pasteurized, meaning it has been heated and strained to obtain a clear product that is easier to pour. Unfortunately,