It has been nearly a decade since I took a class on how to make bar soap. By the end of the class, I was smitten with the process and with the resulting product. Finally, the mystery of soap making had been revealed and the process was far easier than expected. As I gained confidence, […]
Homestead How-Tos
Small Batch Lard Rendering
Back in my grandmother’s day, lard was the king of the kitchen. Most women kept a can of lard on the kitchen counter since it was used so frequently. Lard created a flakiness that butter or other shortening couldn’t when it came to pie crusts. It seasoned cast iron (another work horse of the kitchen), […]
How to Perfectly Grill Corn on the Cob in the Husk
While sweet corn is a classic taste of summer, most folks enjoy it straight out of boiling water or even out of the microwave. While both of those methods can result in a good ear of corn, there is another. So skip the pot of boiling water and bypass the microwave. Head outside and reclaim […]
35 Pasta Sauce Hacks
Pasta is a big deal in our family. Not only is it something that we enjoy eating, but it is something we enjoying cooking and sharing with others. And as much as I love pasta, in all honesty, I view it as a vehicle for the pasta sauce. Around here, sauce is red, luscious, and […]
Remove Wax Easily from a Towel
Candles are wonderful. They set the mood at dinner. They provide light when the power goes out. And they even provide aroma. In spite of these attributes, candles can be messy… leaving wax on surfaces. One such surface…a cloth towel. If you have ever ended up with wax on a towel, you will understand frustration. […]
Make Your Own Canning Jar Fermenter
Fermenting is a method of food preservation. All it takes is a good brine, fresh produce, and time. After that voila! Fermented goodness. But these days, how many people have traditional fermenting crocks? Sure, there may some folks who inherited crocks that have been lovingly passed down through the family over many generations. Or perhaps […]