Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Pine Nuts

Yeah....I know the size of the seeds in these cones probably won't be worth the effort, but I'm letting these open up so that I can try to harvest pine nuts. I'll have to put in a better pine for that, but just using what I had access to right now.

But, it wouldn't be the first time I put tons of work into something that was easier to buy, just because I wanted the experience.

Last year I got a bovine stomach when a friend sent a steer in, and prepared it into fresh tripe. It took quite a while, between the scraping and soaking and heating. Days actually.... But my dad, who is the tripe guy, said it was the best he'd had. But again, it was fresh...fresh...fresh.... LOTS of work, but at least I know how to do it now.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Drying Starter

As you can see, I have been drying alot of sourdough starter for future use/back-up/giveaway. Right now I am storing it as chips, but when I have time, I will powder.

I tried using a mini food chopper but that didn't work. I'll be using my spice grinder, although I might also give the blender a try. Once powedered, I'll only need one of the orange containers for storage. Then, I'll start drying more of my discarded starter. I hate to waste it!

If you're interested in drying starter, one of my earlier blog posts provides necessary directions. It's so easy, and doesn't take alot of your time.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Don't Forget.....

to check out NCH's brand new sister blog:
"Throwback Kitchen"!

ASAP Garlic Relish

If you love sweet pickle relish and you love garlic, but have no time on your hands to make it fresh, here is a great shortcut that is sure to please.

Simply purchase your favorite commercial sweet relish, or pull a jar of your homemade off the pantry shelf, and add 3 to 4 peeled, FRESH, average sized cloves of garlic! Mix the whole cloves right into the relish, cover and let sit. (Clove numbers may vary to your taste and jar size. This is based on a 12.5 oz size.)
Within a few days.....sometimes within 24 hours, the fresh garlic will begin to permiate the relish, giving you a wonderful garlic flavor to your relish!

Leave the garlic cloves in till you have the desired flavor, or as I usually do,  leave the garlic in the jar until it is almost empty, then finely chop the garlic for use in tuna salad or any other culinary use you may find, as the sweet relish will have permiated the garlic as well!

Monday, March 7, 2016

Egg Storage

So you have your own chickens and are totally over run with eggs, or the grocery store had a sale that you just couldn't pass, and you stocked up! Now the question is.....what to do with them all????

If you eat alot of eggs or bake a lot, this won't really be an issue. If not, then you want to make sure that these eggs will keep. And it isn't as difficult as you may think! And at the 1840's Farm, the mud room acts as my storage area in the winter for eggs, vegetables and anything else that needs to stay cold. But the temperatures are rising and there are still many eggs, so what to do?

If you have your own chickens, as long as you haven't scrubbed the shell and removed the bloom (eggs natural protective coating), they should keep well, as is. However, store bought eggs will have the bloom scrubbed off, so you need to preserve them for the long storage.

To do this, simply use a little warm mineral oil and using your fingers (many people like to wear gloves), cover the entire egg with a layer of oil. Then, place point down back into the carton. Make sure that the entire egg is covered and sealed with the oil. The eggs may now be stored in the fridge, root cellar (and some even leave on the shelf), for up to a year! Note that the eggs should be turned at least once a month. This is done by simply turning the entire carton over.

When ready to use your eggs, if you want to make sure that they are good, simply place the egg in a glass of water. If it sinks, it's good. If it floats....out to the compost it goes.

Preserved eggs can be used in the same manner that fresh are, however be aware that the older the egg, the less  likely it is that you will be able to use the whites for meringue, as older whites won't whip up well. A small price to pay, however, for the ability to save your eggs long term.

So next sale, go ahead and stock up! You can store the extra eggs now.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

It's Here!!!!

The sister blog of NCH, Throwback Kitchen is now online. It is just in the beginning stages, so please be patient as it grows. I hope that you have fun with it and will find both The New Century Homesteader and Throwback Kitchen both useful and enjoyable.

Friday, March 4, 2016

New Blog

Watch for my new blog, "Throwback Kitchen", begining soon. From the title, you probably have at least an idea as to what this blog will feature, so stay tuned. I think you will find it both unusual and enjoyable, as well as surprisingly useful!

And the Windstar Fight Continues

Anyone who is looking for a used vehicle, run...do not walk....away from the Ford Windstar. A vehicle plagued with problems since day one, Ford, it seems has had to be pushed into doing some life or death recalls......it took them what.....12 + years to do the axle recall?

Now I am in a fight with them, if I can even get them to be honest. My Windstar should have been bought back a few years ago, with the first axle problem. But, it wasn't and a "band aid" Ford style, was applied. Now, it seems their "band aid" didn't work and they want to put yet another "band aid" on this axle that can break in half! My question to them is why wasn't it bought back when the others were, especially when the frame was rotting on it...yet another Windstar problem that had recalls...except for mine. For some reason, they didn't want to bother.

I have contacted the CEO and he hasn't even had the courtesy, much less the courage I guess, to respond. I have posted photographs of these problems on Ford's Twitter but they still do not seem to be bothered. Guess I need to get badly hurt in this vehicle first.

The next kick in this Windstar story, is the side bottom of this vehicle rotting out (I have never...ever...had a vehicle rot like this), and I see what looks to be a small plastic garbage bag of something, falling out. Again, I contact and ask Ford why there is a plastic bag falling out of this vehicle's body and post a picture. Again I'm ignored.

This time, I am contacting Mr. Ford himself, hoping that he has the courage to respond. We shall see. However, this has told me alot about Ford, and has soured me to the brand, especially when they continue to make excuses for such a dangerous vehicle.