Homegrown & Homemade
If there’s anything that homesteading has taught me, it’s that food is precious. The amount of work and love and care that goes into growing every calorie, whether plant or animal, is significant… so best not to waste any of it. Especially the organs: the most nutrient-rich part of the animal! This chicken liver pate recipe is mild and is perfect for anyone who doesn’t …
If you’ve never had a homemade marshmallow, you are in for a real treat— the texture, the bounce! They are nothing like store bought (which is a good thing!). And because these are made with only maple syrup (there’s no corn syrup and no cane sugar), the flavor is wonderfully maple-y and so delicious. The maple flavor really comes through in a lovely way, and …
Currently at the top of my “favorite things I’ve ever preserved” list! Freezing Chicken Tortilla Soup Starter is a fantastic way to take what is in abundance during the summer, and tuck it away as something incredibly useful and delicious for the winter months. I love stuffing the freezer full of high value items like this! And if you have tomatoes and peppers to preserve, …
This fruit crisp topping recipe has been a looong time in the making! I’ve been tweaking it for years every time I make it, and it’s finally ready to share. Here’s what I love about it– it’s browned and buttery, wonderfully sweet, and not crumbly like plain granola. I want a fruit crisp topping that holds together and eats more like a cookie than just …
Peanut butter covered in chocolate is one of life’s fine pleasures. And when that peanut butter is mixed with the earthy, smokey, sweet flavor of maple sugar (click here), it’s pretty darn incredible. You will love these chocolate-covered maple peanut butter balls! This is an updated version of an older Maple Peanut Butter Ball recipe from my website. I streamlined the recipe and changed the …
These beet crackers are my absolute favorite homemade crackers– made with a hearty helping of beets! Even beet-haters will like these (trust me, I live with one). The beet flavor is very muted and these crackers don’t have a strong beet taste… which I appreciate because I wouldn’t call myself a beet lover either. More like a beet-tolerater. I do like adding beets to my …
I’m not a fan of bland granola… I want it to be chunky and loaded with flavor — and this apple butter granola is perfect! I’m a granola snacker, which means I prefer to eat it as a sweet treat or dessert instead as a breakfast food with milk poured over top. WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR HOW TO MAKE APPLE BUTTER GRANOLA HERE! What …
Favorite summer side dish ever– Dill and Sour Cream Potato Salad with tender creamy red potatoes! If you like fresh dill, you’ll love this one! I’ve been making this potato salad for many years, and it has definitely become a summer staple on our homestead. There are only 5 ingredients, so make sure they’re good quality (and definitely use fresh dill… dried just won’t do). …
One of my favorite things about being a modern-day homesteader is practicing old-fashioned, long-forgotten skills. Making beef heart jerky falls under two categories here:1. The practice of preserving meat through drying it.2. Eating the whole, entire animal and wasting nothing. By the way, this jerky recipe works well with lamb or pork heart too! If you’re new to cooking with or eating organ meat, go …
I can’t think of a better way to showcase homemade jam than baked into a buttery shortbread-esque gluten-free thumbprint cookie. Even better if you’re making them to give to friends and family! These are everything I hoped for from a gluten-free thumbprint cookie… just like the ones I used to eat at Christmas time years ago when life was simpler and I could eat all …
