So Duane read my post where I mentioned canning bacon. We both like the results of the method that calls for lightly browning the bacon pieces before canning as opposed to filling the jars with raw bacon. He said he would come over and cook up the bacon for me. I could sit and fill the jars. Turns out we figured that between us we have one good body. :)
I got 13 half pint jars of bacon bits. There are so many uses for them. They are good in scrambled eggs or in fried potatoes. I have used them in scalloped potatoes and in casseroles. Anywhere commercial bacon bits are used, these home canned bits can be used.
I will be ordering a couple pounds of bacon with each grocery order until I have enough to can again. I am low on canned hamburger, so will do the same for that.
Teamwork. Makes the job so much easier. Thank you, Son.
This and That
2 hours ago
Vicky~ I cook bacon in the oven, then portion it out and freeze it. The bacon dripping gets saved. Red
ReplyDeleteRed...I use the oven method of cooking bacon for a meal. And I save the grease as well. It has so many uses.
DeleteThat is sooo awesome! You two make a great team.This may be the start of a whole new effort. Thank you, Duane, for helping. You are a "good son"! CW
ReplyDeleteCW...I tell him he is a good son all the time. He gets stuck with helping Mom because he lives next door. :)
DeleteLOL - co-operation is a good thing!
ReplyDeleteGorges...It sure does make things easier.
DeleteThe problem we have around here, is NOT eating any.
ReplyDeleteBacon...One of life's little pleasures. :)
DeleteMom , you are very welcome. I enjoy helping and I get to reap the rewards ad well.
ReplyDeleteSon...Your help made life easier. Enjoy your well earned rewards.
DeleteLove, Mom
Aw, that was nice of him. I too keep the bacon drippings. I use it for many recipes and for homemade dog food.
ReplyDeleteKristina...More hands made the job lighter. He gets stuck with helping Mom more often because he is so handy - living in the apartment next door. But then, he takes home some of the home canned goodies, so I guess it all works out. :)
DeleteI'm thinking Duane chose to be in the same building so he could help out his mom. Just saying - you've raised some great kids.
ReplyDeleteFrom your last comment about lighting - I found a battery operated Coleman lantern (full size, uses D batteries) that works great. It has two settings for light. I haven't invested in rechargeable batteries for it yet but that's on my 'buy' list. I also bought some 'mini' battery operated lanterns that were labeled Coleman and take AA batteries. They look like toys but they are great to put around the apartment, not quite enough light to read by though.
Yea for the bacon -it's own food group.
SJ
I think Duane lives here mostly because this building is the only one locally that has reasonable rent. But even when he lived 45 miles away, he did a pretty good job of taking care of Mom.
DeleteI have one of those battery operated Coleman lanterns, but I keep forgetting to buy new batteries for it. Thanks for the reminder. I added batteries to my grocery order for next time. I'm looking into alternative lighting options. Probably is a good idea to have lanterns, flashlights and candles. If one doesn't work, another one will.
And yes. Bacon is its own food group. :)
You have a good skill there. I used to buy Yoders bacon, 12 cans for $130.00, but now a single can is around $20.00. Since I can't find any other canned bacon, and have never been able to master canning, I just don't store anymore bacon and have upped the amount of spam in storage to compensate.
ReplyDeleteHarry, I am unlucky in one way in that my mother was badly crippled with arthritis at a young age. I was lucky in that I was forced to learn these skills from about age 10 on, because she could no longer physically do the work and it was necessary for our family to be able to eat over the winter. The cost of canning is daunting to begin with, buying pressure canners and jars, but they quickly pay for themselves. It really isn't that hard to do. It is just a matter of following directions to the letter.
DeleteThe price of the cheap bacon I use for bacon bits has gone up to about $4.50 per pound here and the thick sliced bacon for canning bacon strips is more. Still, it beats the pants off the price of Yoders. I got 13 half pints from about 8 lbs. of bacon and 2 lbs. of the thick sliced will give me 3 pint jars full. I store Spam as well. I like it fried in a sandwich or make sandwich spread kind of like deviled ham out of it. I guess we just do the best we can with what we have to work with. :)
One of the many things I don't tell friends and family is my love for SPAM. One favorite way is to slice it, sprinkle on brown sugar and top the slice with a pineapple and bake until hot and bubbly.
DeleteSJ in Vancouver BC
SJ...Most of us don't own up to liking Spam, unless we are having a conversation with other preppers who know the value of having a variety in our deep pantrys. The way you fix it sounds wonderful! I'm going to have to give it a try.
DeleteDid you know that Austin, MN holds a 'Spam Jam' festival every year. Hormel is located in Austin and the celebration is week-long! Guess we aren't alone in liking Spam. Although I'm not sure if that is my State's claim to fame or not! :)
No, I didn't know there was a SPAM week.
DeleteI got the recipe from the website Frugal Abundance. The lady doesn't post much anymore but all her recipes are there. It seems she's one who really lived from her pantry. She used to have the blog Hillbilly Housewife but then she sold that blog/name. I have no relation to her blog, I just found it years ago and like the recipes and her viewpoint.
Years ago, when I had co-workers who grew up in the Philippines. Both ladies would bring Spam dishes to our office potlucks. Wish i had their recipes. One was a noodle dish that I have yet to figure out.
Stay warm. The high today is supposed to be -1C. Brr.
Cheers, SJ