I have a love affair with southwest cuisine. The flavors. The textures. The aromas. This is comfort food at its best. For me, one item is the first to come to mind when I am ready to tuck into a perfectly prepared southwestern plate of food. It is the humble tortilla. Over the years, tortillas […]
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 […]
Cord Wood: Know the Differences
Firewood is part of winter living on many homesteads, farms, and ranches. Some folks have a ready source of timber on their land while others seek an outside source to keep them warm. Examples of sources would include US Forest Service Land (with appropriate wood cutting permits), lumber yards that sell cord wood, as well […]
Cautionary Tale: Sort Through Dried Beans!
Fall and winter usher in the season of warm, hearty bean dishes (and I am not talking about fresh green beans). Sure, while you can purchase cans of beans from a grocery store, homemade cooked beans (starting from dried) offers a flavor profile that just can’t be beat. A pot of beans simmering on the […]
Homemade Garlic Powder? Yes You Can
It’s a staple in just about everybody’s pantry. This versatile ingredient can season, soups, stews, dressings, sauces, doughs, and meats. Or if you live near Gilroy, CA, it has been known to grace ice cream. What is it you ask? Why it is humble garlic powder. While this powder may be tossed into grocery carts […]
25 Homestead Resolutions for the New Year
After the beginning of the year, resolutions abound. Lose weight. Exercise daily. Eat vegetables. Carpool daily. Try harder. Be better. Move faster. It is exhausting, right? And for the record, just how long do those newly minted resolutions last? Do they live to see the Ides of March? Perhaps they get the chance to revel […]