Yes Yes we've been on a mighty long hiatus but we plan to be back at it and for good this time, graduation is a good thing:-) Our first run back at it is anticipated for June 7th and hopefully every sunday thereafter. We know there were lots of people that wanted to help us out just get in contact and well figure out the details

Btw new EASIER, yet equally tasty, recipes coming very soon!

~BPD

So I just posted a better update but it somehow got erased Anyways Our summer has been pretty successful we've been on the ball pretty much going out on Sundays and meeting a lot of cool and interesting people. We haven't really had any kind of donations b/c ppl have pretty much been like " Why are you still doing this?" Which is stupid, but what are you gonna do?...As much as you can. Which is exactly what we've been doing. Money has been tight b/c most of us haven't had jobs this summer (stupid Michigan economy) but we've been doing anywhere fom 150-225 burritos a week so it's cool. Um this Sunday is gonna be our last run of the summer b/c it's time to go back to school But we've decided to have a PB&J Day and hand out bottles of water b/c that's pretty much all our tiny budget will alot but we're going to continue to do this so long as we can afford to.

Much Love,

~BPD

Hey Peeps,

So we're trying to come up with fundraisers and are having a hard time. Anyone have any ideas???

~BPD

So BPD's first run was very successful. Unfortunately we don't have any pictures to post for you guys because they were all accidently erased on our digital camera But we won't make that same mistake twice.

At first we thought we wouldn't find enough people to hand out our 120 burritos too, so we then enlisted the help of our Locationist (My Grandmother lol). Needless to say she did her job very well we ran out of Burritos in less than 10 minutes. We felt bad about it but I had given it everything I had to give and was reminded that "you can only do what you can, there's nothing to feel bad about it. You all feed these people and they were'nt sure where their next meal would come from". And that made us feel better about our efforts...Our goal for next time is upwards of 300. Because there are a lot of locations we didn't get the oppurtunity to visit, and at our one location we ran out and had about 5 to 10 people left. But you can only do what you can and try for more the next time.

Much love,

       BPD

Ok if you're from somewhere where tortillas are hard to find, or where they are expensive, or where you just can't find the right size... say like Detroit you can make your own with a very simple recipe.

3 cups flour  

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

4-6 Tablespoons Vegetable shortening (or Lard)

About 1 1/4 cups warm water

Can of Pan Spray

Flat Pan/ Griddle/ Comal

°Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl

°Add Vegetable Shortening; use a fork to cut in the shortening or use your hands

°Add warm water a little at a time until the dough is soft and not sticky

°Knead the Dough

°Pull off pieces of dough to form about 12 small dough balls; Let them rest for at least 10 minutes

°Using a rolling pin roll them out into flat tortillas; dust the top and bottom with a little flour before rolling.

°Cook them on a flat griddle or in a comal (flat griddle pan) for a few seconds just until the brown specks appear; flip to cook other side. Use small amount of pan spray when needed.

You'll have to do double recipes but it's still pretty easy. Just do the Tortillas one day and the burritos the next day.

       §  Today I volunteered at a soup kitchen and futher realized the tremendous issue of food insecurity in the United States. I arrived at the Kitchen at 6:00 am and helped to prepare breakfast and served over 400 people. After breakfast we cleaned and started preparing lunch where we served about 305 hungry people. Men, Women and Children. I was very suprised to learn today that only about 10 percent of the people who eat at soup kitchens are actually homeless, the other 90 percent are just people who are trying to make in society but because of the high prices of things like rent and gas (for those who possess a car) they can't afford such a neccesity as food and therefore depend on soup kitchens, and food stamps and emergency food supplies to get them day by day.

It was amazing to see that some of the people that came in looked entirely normal. I would have never suspected that they were food insecure because they were in nice suits and uniforms and what-not which would definately throw someone who did not know. But the majority of people in need of these food assistance work fulltime jobs, or go to school and job training or what have you. Even some of the homeless people we see on our runs are probably doing some kind of work. Like for instance as I witnessed today some of them will stay and clean the dining room portion of the soup kitchen to make a couple bucks.

        While this was my first time volunteering at a soup kitchen it was not my first time volunteering to help the food insecure, I have also done Meals on Wheels. However this is the first time I have really seen the "full" effects of  this great hunger that plaques our country.

       So I encourage you to all continue with the Burrito Project, but to also volunteer some of your time to these amazing organizations. Because there are people way less fortunate than ourselves who would appreciate our help.§

Much love,

             BPD

Burrito Project Detroit

Basic Supplies:

Tortillas extra large
Dry Pinto beans
Dry rice
Canned corn
Canned diced tomatoes

Tomato Sauce
Aluminum foil
Paper towels

    Taste goods/Seasonings:

Garlic (Fresh or powdered we use both)

Onions

Chicken Bouillion Cubes/ Canned chicken broth

Chili Powder

Cumin

Cinnamon

Salt & Pepper

Recipe:

ü      Beans; Do first they cook the longest

1 jumbo sized bag

            Pinto Beans- Soak overnight (requires 24 hours); drain water and add fresh water. Simmer for 1 ½ to 2 ½ hrs

            *Water to Bean Ratio 6:1(cups)*

·        Cooked Pinto Beans- Mash using a potato masher

·        Chili Powder TT

·        Cumin TT

·        Salt & Pepper TT

ü      Rice

      Will require 30 minutes or longer; until rice it is soft

      Best cooked in covered (plastic wrap & aluminumfoil) hotel pan/large   

      baking dish

      *Keep in mind rice will double in size so only fill pan halfway

      *Water to Rice Ratio 2:1*

Coat rice in vegetable oil to prevent sticking, Spray baking dish with a non-stick vegtable spray

·        White/Brown Rice (2 Regular sized bags)

·        Garlic 4-5 cloves minced; 3 tbsp powder/granulated

·        Onion small dice; about 1 or onion powder TT

·        Tomato product sauce and diced (1 can each)

·        Chicken broth/ hot water with bouillion cubes) *2:1 cup Ratio*

      Roasted Corn/ Drained can of Corn

·        Salt & Pepper TT

*When finished add cinnamon about 2/3 teaspoons for a little extra flavor(it's really good)

ü      Tortillas

·        Warm in skillet just until softened

Or in microwave about 10 at a time; wrap in paper towels and heat for about 1min and 45 sec

Few more * Points:

*Smash and Season beans add water if too thick

*To roast corn: Drain can(s) of sweet corn season with salt, pepper, chili powder and cumin coat with vegetable oil and bake on cookie sheet until slighty colored (doesn't take long, like 5-10 minutes)

*We do 2 pans of rice(4 bags) and 1 very large pot of beans (1 jumbo sized bag of pinto beans about $6)

Method of Prep:

o       Tortilla; Warmed

o       Beans

o       Rice

Some kind of mild salsa (We do this if we have a little extra money)

o       Wrap

o       Wrap in paper towel

o       Wrap in foil

o       Store in oven @ 175 until ready to distribute

Yield 80-90 burritos

This may seem like a lot but once you do it you'll realize that its really not. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask us.