I had 2 bags of hash browns in my freezer, so I ordered 4 more. Those went on the dehydrator trays that were lined with the plastic mesh inserts to keep the little bits from falling through the trays. I like having the dehydrated hash browns on hand. They just need to be soaked in water for maybe 15 minutes, then drained and they are ready to fry or to use in casseroles.
Next were the frozen vegetables. This time I got 6 bags of broccoli and 6 bags of whole kernel corn. Dehydrating frozen vegetables is a snap. Just spread them out on the mesh lined trays and set the dehydrator temperature at 135 degrees. I did chop the broccoli into smaller pieces to use in soups or casseroles and so they would dry a little more quickly.
I ordered 10 lbs of russet potatoes. These I will be slicing thin using a mandolin, blanching the slices for 3 minutes and spreading them in a single layer on the trays. They are dried at the same temperature as the other vegetables. I use these mostly for scalloped potatoes. I find that cooking them in a crock pot works better for me than using the oven. My instructions for crockpot scalloped potatoes using dehydrated potatoes are here.
Sometimes I will re-can food, when it is less expensive to do so than it is to make it from scratch. This is true of sweet pickles. Because I can not raise my own cucumbers and have to buy them at the Farmer's Market, canning sweet pickles become somewhat pricey to make. I had 3 jars of sweet bread and butter pickles on the shelf from when I bought them on sale. The jars each contain 24 ounces of pickles, which is way more than I consume within several months. I ordered 3 more jars. I will be dumping the pickles and juice into a stock pot and heating them to near boiling. Then I will be packing the pickle slices and juice into half-pint jars and water bath canning them for 10 minutes. If you have to have a really crisp pickle this probably won't work for you as they soften up just a little bit in the process. I don't mind, so it works just fine for me and gives me jars of sweet pickles that get eaten soon after opening and don't live in my fridge for months on end.
We like the baby dill pickles too, and those cukes aren't so expensive, so we get them at the Farmer's Market. I use Mrs. Wage's dill pickle mix when canning those and they turn out absolutely delicious.
I need to spread the work over several day's time. If I don't, I am finding it takes this old body a couple of days to recover. I am not happy about that turn of events at this stage of my life, but there it is. So today I will deal with the butter and pickles and Monday will find me up to my elbows in potato slices.
Mama Pea over at " A Home Grown Journal" had a giveaway - and I was one of the winners!! She gave away two sets of potholders she made.
I appropriated the photo from her blog. I hope she doesn't mind. My camera battery gave out and I really wanted to show how pretty these potholders are. Mine are the top set. I admire anyone who does handmade. She makes some of the prettiest quilts and she knits socks and I don't know what all else. And there are posts about her homesteading experiences. I just love her blog.
And now I am off to work on the canning of butter and pickles. Hope your weekend is snow free and shows signs of spring. :)
What kind of dehydrator do you use? I've been looking into purchasing one.
ReplyDeleteCanning plum jelly today. Froze the juice since I ran out of 'time' during the canning frenzy. I hear you on feeling the after-affects of a canning spree. Almost like jet-lag!
Congratulations on the pot holder win. They look wonderful.
hobo...I have two Nesco dehydrators. Both have the heating element and fan in the lid. Previously I had one with the fan in the base, and had problems with pieces of dried food dropping down and seizing up the fan. Some swear by the Excalibur dehydrators, and I am sure they are good, but they are too pricy for my budget. I got mine at Fleet Farm for about $60 each, and they are well worth the price. Each can hold 10 trays at a time. I do rotate the trays about halfway through the drying process and am well pleased with the results.
DeletePlum jelly - a favorite. I will need to get my hands on some plums come summer as I only have a couple of jars of the jelly left.
As much as I hate to admit it, I now need to slow down and spread the work over a couple of days. Guess I am glad I can still do the work - just takes longer. :)
Aren't the potholders pretty? They are now hanging on pegs, making my kitchen a little brighter.
Welcome back. Sounds like you've been very productive. So - do you have a post on canning butter? I don't remember reading one, but then again some days my memory isn't very good. ha!
ReplyDeleteI'm with on the 'slow and steady' approach to life. Good for you for figuring out what works for you now. Cheers, SJ in Vancouver
SJ...I did a post on canning butter back in
DeleteSeptember of 2014. Here is the link to that post.
https://momsscribbles.blogspot.com/2014/09/canning-butter.html
I usually buy butter at Sam's Club, but once in awhile the grocery runs a sale so I stock up then. The butter I canned back in 2014 is still just as good now as then.
"Slow and Steady." Kind of reminds me of the fable of the race between the tortoise and the hare. :) These days I feel like I am moving at a turtle's pace. But I guess as long as I am still moving forward, I can't complain.
Thanks for the link although I couldn't actually click on it.
DeleteYes, I'm in the turtle's lane these days as well. SJ
SJ...I don't know how to make a link clickable in comments - this is copy and paste. However, if you look at my sidebar under Blog Archive, click on 2014 - September. Then scroll down to the title "Canning Butter." Click on that and it will take you to that post.
DeleteWe may have the dazzling speed of a turtle, but eventually we get there, don't we. :)
As far as butter goes, is it cheaper to buy butter vs buying heavy cream and making it ??
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Rob. The only time I made my own butter was many years ago when I had a milk cow and would skim the cream from the milk to make butter. I suppose a person would have to buy a quart of cream and see how much butter could be made from it. Sam's Club has butter for $2.50 per pound. Sometimes Cub has a sale that is close to that price. I have no idea what cream sells for or how much it would take for a pound of butter. I just go with the butter mostly because of convenience.
DeleteLOL - You can keep ANYTHING with dill in it, or caraway seeds. Some things I just don't like.Naturally, my wife LOVES them! ;-)
ReplyDeleteGorges, I gotta say I'm with your wife on this one. My Aunt Emily made her own dill pickles that were so good, I would beg her to open a jar whenever we went for a visit. I loved them so much that she gave me a jar of them for Christmas one year. I didn't share them, either. :)
DeleteThe only time I use pickles is in tuna or potato salad. So, I am good on pickles. I am not slow and steady like the turtle. I must take breaks, many breaks!
ReplyDeleteI bought the Excalibur dehydrator when I had money and paid almost $300 for it. I do not regret it one bit. I went ahead and got the model with thermostat and timer. Love it.
I am going to try my hand at canning ghee. It seems I am allergic to mammal products, the protein in particular Since ghee has none of the animal protein, I feel I can consume it.
Linda...I am slow like the turtle, but not as steady. Unless I can work sitting down, I take frequent breaks as well.
DeleteI would love to have an Excalibur, but the price just isn't within my budget. I find the Nesco dehydrators do a really good job. I have had no problem or complaints in the several years I have been using them.
Let me know how the ghee canning works for you. I have never tried it, but it would be interesting to see how it turns out.
Found your post on the butter and had a great time reading most of the 2014 posts as well. I just get so much out of your writing.
ReplyDeleteSo, I read that you followed Jackie Clay's way of canning butter. And part of the process is to water bath for 60 minutes. My question is - why not pressure can it? Just curious.
No real gardening for me yet. Today brought more sleety rain and my utility bill. uggh.
I used almost twice the power this year as last year at this time. Crazy weather year.
Cheers, SJ in Vancouver
SJ...What a nice thing to say. Thank you.
DeleteThere seem to be, from what I have found online, several ways to can butter. Some water bath, some pressure can and others just pour melted butter into hot jars and let the cooling process seal the lids. I find that no matter which method is used, the jars need to be shaken gently now and then while they cool to keep the milk solids from separating from the rest. And the butter remains a semi-liquid after canning unless refrigerated to bring it back to a solid state. After that, it can be stored on shelves just like any other canned food.
You sure have had more than your share of ugly weather this year, haven't you! The temp got up to 50 degrees here today and promises to stay in the high 40's this week. I sure do sympathize with your utility bill. Truth be known, the biggest reason I stay in this apartment is that all utilities except phone/internet are included in the rent. Probably couldn't afford to pay those bills in addition to rent. :)
I really should get into canning, it makes sense!!
ReplyDeleteWarming up here, snow is melting fast and very muddy. Spring is coming!!
Just wanted to jump in and say there's a great book called "Canning by the Pint". It's all about small batch canning- like 2-3 pints at a time. Also - check the thrifts for canners and jars. Mine almost always has water bath canners for sale. Or just use a big stock pot with a rack on the bottom to hold the jars off the bottom of the pan. SJ in Vancouver BC
DeleteThanks SJ and Vicki for the response. I am going to look into some small batch canning.
DeleteJenn...Canning is sort of a lifestyle for me. My parents canned fruit and garden vegetables every summer to get us through the winter. I do it because life happens, and no matter the situation, I want to be sure my family is fed. The other day I opened a jar of pork loin I had canned in 2013. It was just as good as the day it was canned and it likely cost me half of what I would have to pay now. Canning is a bit spendy to start with - the price of equipment and jars - but it doesn't take long to pay for itself. And I know what is in my food.
ReplyDeleteSame goes for baking my own bread. I had a partial loaf of store bought bread I had stuck in a cupboard and forgot about. Two weeks later I found it. The slices were still soft and there was no sign of mold. I have to wonder how much of that loaf was preservatives.
Our last snow is about gone now. Looks like just rain in the forecast. I am more than ready to see a large bowl of purple lilacs in the middle of my kitchen table. :)
It's so fun for me to have a conversation with you here on your blog. With my chronic fatigue, some friendships have not survived. And then there's the whole issue of not having anyone local who likes to 'prep' the way I do and keep a full pantry. I'm very cautious talking about my supplies with anyone locally. As in, I just don't share how much I have.
ReplyDeleteI'll check on line about the butter. That may just get me into using my pressure canner. I bought it, should use it, right? I'll get there at some point.
And, yes, the utility bills are definitely a topic of conversation right now. For one thing, the bill is for two months (Jan and Feb. for this one). So this bill is always the one that seems to take my breath away. Your apartment always sounds like a charming place but utilities included would really help. Especially on a fixed income. My solution is to eat from my pantry and curtail any extra spending for these few months. ie no groomer for the dog or haircuts for me--hahaha.
Best close so I'm not running on and on.
SJ in Vancouver
SJ...Don't you ever worry about "running on and on." One of the things that keeps me going here on this silly little blog are the conversations in comments. As you know, I don't get out much. That is not a complaint but a statement of fact. The other blogs I read and the conversations here are my window on the outside world. I honestly do not mind living alone and quite frankly, during my working lifetime I dealt with the public enough so that I don't miss being surrounded by people.
DeleteI, too, am cautious about letting anyone know just what I have in the way of preps. Sometimes it is unavoidable, like when a repairman needs access to my apartment. Pretty tough to hide five large shelving units full of home canned and dehydrated food. :) There are none in my neighborhood that I am aware of who prepare at all. I think the older ones who grew up when I did consider preparing a lifestyle and not at all unusual. But I have found that many of those who are now retired want only to do the things they consider fun. I am for a fun time as much as the next guy, many just don't want to do the work involved in keeping a well stocked pantry. They would rather go to the grocery twice a week. The younger ones, if you mention being prepared, look at you like you just sprouted a third eye in the middle of your forehead.
My apartment isn't anything special, but it suits me. I rented it over 20 years ago because it was the only one I could find that didn't restrict dogs. I wasn't about to give up the cocker spaniel I had then. And having the utilities included is a plus, especially now that I am on a fixed income. Even though the rent has nearly doubled in that time, it is still one of the most affordable apartments in town. I do things a lot like you do. Supper this evening is a hamburger rice casserole, the ingredients all from my food storage. I will have a slice of homemade bread with that and maybe a bowl of pear sauce for dessert. I just don't understand why more folks don't see the benefits of a deep pantry.
I find myself doing the same kinds of things you do to stretch the fixed income. I have eliminated the things that are unnecessary (haircuts, shopping as a social activity, meals out, etc.) and as a result have been able to save enough to cover three months rent. With our shaky economy, makes sense to me to put aside a much as I can.
Supper is ready. Have yourself a lovely evening and I hope your weather straightens out so that gardening is in your near future.
Good for you to have the three months rent in the bank,so to speak. Saving is really a challenge on a fixed income, imo. I started off growing my hair and no haircuts because my hairdresser moved and I just couldn't face finding another one. So, it's just past my shoulders now. I've been whacking it off every now and then myself. Hahaha. I guess there is a benefit to not having much of a social life.
ReplyDeleteI really love hearing what you're fixing for dinner. Cooking for myself continues to be a challenge. Don't get me wrong, I never miss a meal and could stand to lose a few pounds. The challenge is cooking something that's healthy, home cooked and varied. I get into a rut with my own cooking.
Phone just rang. SJ
Back again.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say one more thing on this post. I,too,picked my apartment because of my dog. Isn't that funny and another thing we have in common? I wanted to be in this suburb. The challenge was that very few apartment buildings would take a 'large' dog. Large being any dog over 20# or 15inches at the shoulders. This apartment turned out to be such a blessing. I could be here a long time. No stairs to deal with is just one of the benefits. The downside is the electric cost in the middle of winter. I just plan for that. Ok. Off to read today's post. Cheers, SJ
SJ...Years past I always wore my hair short. But with short hair, I needed regular haircuts and I just don't have the patience or cash for that any more. So I just let it grow. It is about halfway down my back now, so pretty soon I'll get one of the kids to whack a few inches off.
DeleteIt is probably easier for me to save money than it might be for some. I no longer have a car so I have no car payment, no upkeep and no insurance bills. Makes no sense for me to own one any more with the leg problems. Doubt I could drive with my legs wrapped in Ace bandages all the time anyway. I worked out a deal with Oldest Son. I write a check for his rent and he gives me cash to cover it. That goes right into my cash savings. That way I can access cash without needing to go to the bank, which can be a problem sometimes. Win - win.
I have to admit that I don't always eat as healthy as I should. I do keep a variety of meats in the freezer and a couple of times a week I will fix a regular supper. But when I am busy or just plain lazy, I am more apt to open a jar or two from my stash, make a stew out of it and add cornbread or biscuits. Easy peasy and quick. :) Or I dump a jar of meat along with a quart of chicken broth and some dehydrated veggies into my crockpot and let the soup cook all day. I just don't fuss with meals like I did when I was feeding a house full of kids.
Here there are very few rentals that allow dogs - cats, yes, but not dogs. Of any size. Heck, lots of them don't allow kids either unless it is low income housing. I have always considered my dogs as part of my family. I bet you do, too. So getting rid of the dog was not an option. I have been happy here, even though the location is less than ideal, being in the downtown area of a suburb and next door to a bar. But I can just shut my door and ignore the outside craziness. I have never in over 20 years, had a problem or felt afraid due to my location. The apartment itself suits me. :)