How to Grow Popcorn: Planting, Harvesting, Drying, Storage & Popping

All about how to grow popcorn: one the absolute funnest things I grow in my garden every year! Homegrown popcorn is not only colorful and delicious, but unwrapping each ear feels like opening presents on Christmas morning. I didn’t start out as a great popcorn grower though. My first couple years I only got spotty, ugly ears… now I grow a ton of incredibly beautiful …

Maple-Sweetened Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls (Maple Peanut Butter Balls)

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 …

High Protein Soft Food Diet – Real Food Meal Ideas after Wisdom Teeth Removal

High protein soft food diet meal ideas! For when you can’t survive on mashed potatoes alone… At 39 years old, I’m not exactly a spring chicken, so going into my wisdom teeth removal (a procedure that most people have done in their teens) I wanted to make sure I set myself up for the best possible outcome. The standard recommendations for a soft food diet …

Seedy Beet Crackers (gluten-free or regular)

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 …

Apple Butter Granola Recipe (or Pear Butter Granola!)

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 …

How to Freeze Zucchini (Shredded, Chunks, and Noodles)

Wondering how to freeze zucchini, and if its even worth it?! I might be biased (I did write a book on freezing your harvest, after all) but that’s a big ‘ol YES! Come late summer, we joke about leaving bags full of zucchini in unlocked cars at the grocery store… but don’t worry, it doesn’t have to come to that. There are many ways to …

Dill & Sour Cream Potato Salad Recipe

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). …

MY NEW BOOK! Freeze Fresh: The Ultimate Guide to Preserving 55 Fruits and Vegetables for Maximum Flavor and Versatility

Buy The Book Here! Take a Peak Inside! Here’s what people are saying about Freeze Fresh… Deanna Talerico, Creator of Homestead and Chill:“Who knew frozen food could be so beautiful?! As an avid gardener and busy homesteader, I’m always on the lookout for quick and creative ways to preserve food and reduce waste. Freeze Fresh has taught me invaluable information about the art of freezing! Providing recipes for …

How to Freeze Dry: Butternut Squash Soup, Hash Browns, and Strawberry Bananas

Since getting my freeze dryer a few months ago, I’ve been able to freeze dry all sorts of things. While I enjoy doing “fun foods” like cheesecake bites and ice cream, the reason I got my freeze dryer was for the practical purposes of preserving food and creating healthy convenience and emergency foods. Disclaimer: I am an affiliate with Harvest Right. If you find this …

How to Make Beef Heart Jerky

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 …