Posted on 03/23/2008 11:36:40 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny
Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick
Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.
At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."
Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.
A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."
[snipped]
She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.
"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
Granny’s Pinto Bean Pie
Recipe Number: 1205154736
Contributor: GrannyG
Serves: NA
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: NA
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
1 unbaked 9 in pie crust
Filling:
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 cup evaporated milk
2 cups of cooked and mashed pinto beans
(well mashed) canned may be used but
Must be cooked and mashed
2 Tablespoons butter (melted)
1 Tablespoon corn starch
1 cup sugar
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Egg whites for meringue
Cooking Instructions:
Heat oven to 425 degrees. For filling,
combine eggs, corn starch, butter and
milk in a large bowl. Stir until well blended.
Add pinto beans, sugar, all spices and
beat at low speed of electric mixer
Until well blended.
Pour into unbaked pie shell.
Bake at 425 for 15 minutes.
Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake
for 25 more minutes.
Remove and cool.
Make meringue and top pie.
Place back in oven at 350 degrees
till top is brown approximately 15 min.
Be sure beans are cooked with no
flavorings at all, a little salt only.
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1205154736
Nuthatch’s Chocolate Bean Cake
Recipe Number: 1200933655
Contributor: nuthatch
Serves: NA
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: NA
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
2 cups of cooked garbanzo beans or 1 can rinsed
4 eggs
4 TBSP of unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 - 1/2 cup of sugar
1 tsp. of baking powder, 1 tsp. of baking soda
1 tsp. of vanilla
1/2 tsp. of guar gum (xanathum) (optional, for texture)
1/4 cup of peanut or canola oil
Cooking Instructions:
Add all the ingredients into a food processor or blender and really pulverize the stuff.
Pour into a greased brownie pan and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, or until the knife comes out clean.
Additional Comments:
This is great if someone can’t eat wheat in any form, and this cake actually tastes good... high in fiber and protein, low in sugar.
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1200933655
Is it yet?
Praying for a safe and speedy event....and that momma and baby come out of it smiling.
Lots of opinions on why we haven’t been able to get on lately, I do not know the truth, LOL, we can tell it like we want to, until the truth is known.
Even my clouds are sad over this weeks events, they are weeping....a little not enough to do good.
You are welcome to the to the pings, I am always afraid that I am over pinging you....LOL, guess I expect you to be interested in all that I am, since we do have many of the same thoughts/plans/dreams.
Are you doing any writing?
sounds good, thanks!!!!!!
You are welcome, let me know if it works.
The bean recipes have been around a long time, there is even one for fudge...
Phatty’s Corn Chowder
Recipe Number: 1201311084
Contributor: Phatty McSpoon
Serves: NA
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: NA
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
2 russett potatoes diced large
3/4 gallon of whole milk
Flour
2 cups of cheddar cheese grated
half pack of bacon
Bag of frozen corn nibblets or if you wanna go fresh cut your own corn off the cob.
salt and pepper to taste
Optional:
Carrots
Scallions or Green Onion if you leave the corn out.
Cooking Instructions:
Throw diced potatoes in a deep pot and pour enough water in the pot to cover half of the potatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste, and cover. While the potatoes are cooking put half pack of bacon in the microwave until they are cooked crispy. Crumble bacon when done and set aside. When Potatoes are soft pour in your Milk, and begin heating slowly. Add corn and crumbled bacon, and cook for a good 30 minutes. You want to take care that you do not heat the milk too quickly or it will curdle and then it wont be good. While the milk is heating up take your cheese and pour about 2 tablespoons of flour(the more flour you use, the thicker the chowder) and mix it around so that the flour coverers the cheese. Also make it be known that this is the ONLY time you can add flour to your chowder or if you add it in straight it will create nasty lumps, which become a pain to fix. When the milk has warmed hot, you want to pour the cheese and flour mixture straight in the pot. Turn the stove off, and stir the cheese into the milk until it is melted and the milk becomes more chowdery. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, scoop into big bowls, and eat with sourdough rolls. Its out of this world, but very rich, and EASY to go overboard on it if you are hungry enough. I also add salt to taste.
You can also add sliced carrots into this, or onions etc. I am just picky and this mixture what I like the best.
You can also do this same recipe and leave the corn out and add chopped green onions or scallions, then its loaded baked potato chowder. ;)
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1201311084
Hidden Veggie Brownies
Recipe Number: 1205154401
Contributor: laughhaha
Serves: 12 brownies
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: 55 min.
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup carrot puree (After peeling and trimming the ends, steam for 10-12 minutes and then puree in a food processor for 2 minutes)
1/2 cup spinach puree (Steam for 30 to seconds, then puree in a food processor for 2 minutes)
1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
3/4 cup oat flour, or all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions:
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat an 8x8-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or over a very low flame.
3. In a large bowl, combine the melted chocolate, vegetable purees, sugar, cocoa powder, margarine, and vanilla, and whisk until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Whisk in egg whites. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt with a wooden spoon.
5. Pour the batter into the pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 bars.
Additional Comments:
These brownies are low in calories (only 133 per brownie) and saturated fat. They’re also packed with 3 grams of fiber (which is just crazy for a brownie!), while spinach and carrots provide two powerful antioxidants that help your kids’ eyes stay healthy.
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1205154401
CAMPSITE CASSEROLE
Recipe Number: 8
Contributor: NA
Serves: 4-6
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: NA
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
Two 11-oz. cans condensed cheddar cheese soup
2 1/2 cups water
2 teaspoons instant minced onion
3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper
One 6-oz. package dry hash brown potatoes
One 12-oz. can luncheon meat, cubed
One 16-oz. can whole green beans, drained
Cooking Instructions:
In large skillet, stir soup and water together until smooth. Add seasonings. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat through, stirring frequently, until potatoes are tender.
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=8
Cowgirl’s Turnip Casserole
Recipe Number: 1201180998
Contributor: urban cowgirl
Serves: NA
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: NA
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
Cooking Instructions:
1 big turnip (peeled & sliced into smaller cubes)
approx 12 carrots sliced into cubes also(depending on the size of the turnip)
[you want the carrot & turnip to be about equal amounts]
put the turnips and carrots into a dutch oven and boil until they’re cooked (about 20 minutes or so)
drain them
Add about 1/4 cup of butter or margarine
Add about 1 cup of velveeta cheese (depending on how much you like cheese)
Mash it all together and put it in a casserole dish & serve! Easy!
Optional: You can sprinkle bread crumbs ontop of it if you like, I never do, but some people like them done that way!
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1201180998
[With a name like this, of course I had to post it...LOL]
Garden Girl’s Breakfast Casserole
Recipe Number: 1200881578
Contributor: Garden Girl
Serves: NA
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: NA
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
1 pound sausage
6 eggs
2 cups milk 2-3 slices bread
Cheddar cheese (about a cup)
Cooking Instructions:
Brown & drain the sausage/crumble BREAD in casserole dish/add sausage/pour egg & milk mixture over all/grate cheese over top.
Refrigerate over night.
In the a.m.~ Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to an hour.
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1200881578
Spaghetti Western
Recipe Number: 1204134887
Contributor: Christi
Serves: 4
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: 15-30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
1/2 lb ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 15oz can pinto, kidney or black beans, rinsed & drained
2 medium tomatoes, seeded & chopped 1 c. picante sauce
2 tsp (or more)ground cumin
1 tsp (or more) chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
8 oz thin spaghetti
Cooking Instructions:
In 10 inch skillet, brown meat with onions and garlic; drain. Add remaining ingredients except spaghetti and toppings; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 min. Uncover and simmer 3-4 min or until desired consistency. While meat mixture simmers, cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve meat sauce over spaghetti, top as desired. Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sliced ripe olives, jalapeno peppers
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1204134887
Southwest Lasagna
Recipe Number: 1204136185
Contributor: Christi
Serves: 4-6
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: 15-30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1/2 onion, chopped
2 minced garlic cloves
1/4 c. sliced black olives
1/4 c. green diced chilies
3/4 c. canned diced tomatoes
1 c. refried beans
1 TBSP minced cilantro
1 c. taco sauce
4-6 flour tortillas
2 c. Colby cheese, shredded
Cooking Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°. In skillet, brown meat. Drain off any fat. Mix in olives, green chilies, tomatoes, taco sauce & refried beans and mix well. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Add cilantro.
In a 2 qt. casserole dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Layer w/cheese and then a tortilla. Repeat this procedure until all tortillas are used or top of dish is reached, leaving enough meat mixture and cheese for top layer. Bake for 20 min, or until cheese is slightly brown. Remove and let set for 10 min.
Additional Comments:
Could use some chili powder or other kick, if you like that.
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1204136185
Pizza Dough with Substance
Recipe Number: 1200772917
Contributor: Mary Beth
Serves: 4 pizzas
Calories Per Serving: n/a
Preparation Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Average
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons dry yeast
1-1/4 cups lukewarm water
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup soy flour
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast 2 cups rye flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil
corn meal to dust pans
Cooking Instructions:
Sprinkle dry yeast over surface of lukewarm water. Add 1 teaspoon honey. Let soak for 5 minutes.
Combine sifted soy flour and nutritional yeast, rye flour and salt. Add along with oil to dissolved yeast mixture and knead until dough is smooth and elastic. Place in oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and let rise 1-2 hour in a warm place until doubled. Stir down and knead once more, briefly.
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1200772917
Johanvg’s Homemade Spinach Tagliatelle
Recipe Number: 1201050431
Contributor: johanvg
Serves: NA
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: NA
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
1.5 cups flour
1.25 pounds spinach
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
Cooking Instructions:
Remove spinach stalks. Wash, demoisturize and puree leafs. Put everything in a bowl and blend together. Add a little bit of water if the mixture is too dry; add a little bit of flour if the mixture is too wet. Knead for a couple of minutes until you have an homogenous mass. Wrap in foil and put in the fridge for half an hour. Take it out and knead until soft like baby skin - about 15-20 minutes. Run the dough through your pasta maker, hang the individual strands on a chair and let it dry for a while before you cook it.
http://cookbook.homestead.org/viewrecipe.php?id=1201050431&category=Pasta
Hillbilly Spinach Pasta
Recipe Number: 1201122613
Contributor: LilMsHillbilly
Serves: NA
Calories Per Serving: NA
Preparation Time: NA
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
5 ounces fresh spinach, blanched and squeezed dry
1 pound all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
6 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Cooking Instructions:
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, salt and blanched spinach. Process to mix well. With the machine running, add the eggs, egg yolks, and olive oil through the feed tube, and process until it resembles wet cornmeal, about 2 minutes.
Take a handful of dough at a time and form into a firm ball. Repeat with the remaining dough. Roll out each dough ball into desired shape in a pasta machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Bring a pot of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta until just al dente, about 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and serve with desired sauce.
http://cookbook.homestead.org/print.php?id=1201122613
We have a baby! We have a baby!
Little boy, Corban Fisher Mill 6# 6 oz Born at 12:47 this afternoon. Mother and baby are fine, daddy is proud as a peacock.
Wish I could send you some rain—parts of our county got 10”—again—last week.
No over-pinging here! Don’t always have time to answer, but I enjoy them! Too bad we don’t live closer—I think You and I would get along famously! LOL
Re: breakfast casserole—I have that same recipe, not by that name—too funny. It is a good one, and it does not have to be refrigerated overnight. I have made it many times after work for a quick supper. Very tasty!
Writing lots, part of why I don’t spend much time on FReeper. The print shop that publishes the paper I have my article in is starting to do books. I may just go with her, since it would be much easier than to keep looking for an agent/publishing house. Some of my stories are set locally, so I think once I had them printed, they would sell well here. It’s worth a try anyway. I’m not looking to be the next Nora Roberts, and very few writers make it to that kind of status anyway. I am looking at a new laptop, and the Apple store is only 2 miles from baby sister’s house. We’re going up this weekend to see the baby. :)
The trick with the bi-focals worked, thanks! I can see now, but my depth perception is shot. :)
Kim Komando sent this link out for job hunting:
[From the Komando news bulletin]
Today’s Cool Site...
Search thousands of job boards
Many of my listeners have been hit hard by the financial crisis. My inbox is filled everyday with requests for help.
Most who write in want to make money from home. They want to supplement their income by selling on eBay. Or, they want to get into microstock photography.
These are great ways to make some extra cash. But they’re not for everyone. Some people would rather pick up a second job. Or, those who have been laid off need a job, period.
If you fall into the latter camp, head over to Indeed. This site crawls thousands of job boards. Then, it presents the results in an easy-to-use index.
All you need do is enter your search term and ZIP code. You’ll get a list of matching results.
You’ll likely find hundreds of results for a given search. Indeed makes it easy to narrow down these results.
You can make refinements by selecting a salary range. Or, select a job title or company. To apply for a position, just click through to the listing site.
Now is the perfect time to look for a second job. Many businesses are hiring seasonal help to assist with the holiday rush!
How wonderful new life is.
Corban is loved and wanted, so he has had his first blessing.
Yes, if you were closer, we would create the world, what fun.
Good, I am glad you are writing, and don’t stop.
Local is fine, and possibly better, You will know who you are working with.
With the local area as subject material, it will sell for years in the local museum and gift shops.
Keep in mind that many of the experienced writers self publish and do well with it.
I know that Mike Savage has the last couple that he brought out. One is brand new subject material, of the stories that he tells on air of his life and the other was on raising kids the natural way.
The kid book was 25 years old and out of print, he said 25,000 were ordered, before he went to print, 5,000 in the first week end.
LOL, I forgot, who I also heard on the radio a few days ago, said he had written the articles over the years, then put them into a book and was amazed at how well they sold.
As I understand it, Nora Roberts does not write every book under her name, nor does Danielle Steel, LOL, I know that name is not quite right, I can tell you the subjects of her books, but never have remembered her name.
And if you have not read her book on the Titanic, it is fantastic.
Smiles, as I think, “Goody, now she can write a new childrens story for Corban. A happy one, or one about his history, before it disappears.
http://video.yahoo.com/network/100000086?v=3579597&l=100000085
Your link is fun, all animal lovers should visit it.
Thank you for sharing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.