Marti’s Corner – 51

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

*  Egg substitutions.  I have some dehydrated eggs stored, and have even used them to make scrambled eggs once (they were pretty good actually).  But in this article by “I Am Baker” she experiments with 4 types of egg substitutions:  {4 OPTIONS!} Egg Substitutes – i am baker  I was surprised to see seltzer water on that list.  Seems like that would be an easy and cheap alternative.

*  Every December, I buy new baking soda and baking powder.  When I checked the “use by” dates on the old baking powder, it was “use by Oct, 2021”.  It was only about 1/2 empty.  I don’t always go by those dates, but baking powder and baking soda DO lose their effectiveness over time – usually about a year.  Luckily they are inexpensive, so I don’t mind tossing the old one and paying $.89 for a new one.  My daughter and I were talking about it once, and she never even buys baking powder.  But I’m always thinking WHAT IF. Baking powder is a must for homemade pancakes, waffles, and quick breads.

So, this is a good time to repurchase and start the new year fresh.

*  Besides, baking soda has a lot of other uses:  21 Clever Uses For Baking Soda Around The House | HuffPost Life 

*  I got an advertisement for a “Healing Garden” today in the mail.  Healing Herbs Garden Kit

Many of these herbs I’ve bought online, usually dried.  Some of them I’ve tried growing myself, although I’m still not very good at it.  Growing herbs and flowers is different from growing vegetables.  It’s a good variety, however, and includes echinacea, calendula, marshmallow, mint, chamomile, lavender, and yarrow (among other things).  I grew yarrow once and even used it to make a salve.  

    It’s surprising how many of these flower seeds suggest planting them in the winter, then waiting for them to come up in the spring.

*  Consider composting.  It’s tough to do in a small backyard or with limited space, but it’s really rewarding.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0RGNFaZV7Y

Try one of these: Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter

LONG TERM FOCUS: Catch-Up Week

Do yourself a favor and buy something you have been wanting for a while.  Maybe it’s a new griddle, maybe it’s a cast-iron pot to bake bread in, maybe it’s a vacuum sealer.  Make it a late Christmas present to yourself.

SHORT TERM FOCUS: Water

Time to stock up on water again.  Get 4-5 packs of bottled water.  This is handy for needing to transport water.  I also use this bottled water for feeding my sourdough start.

Refill any larger water containers.

Consider getting either a 55-gallon water container or some sturdy “blocks” for storing water.  Stackable Water Bricks are also a good option if your space is limited.

72-HOUR KIT FOCUS

I noticed Sterno on sale at Walmart for about $3.  We used these at our Church Christmas party and they burn for about 45 minutes, long enough to boil water and cook soup.  Get 5-6 of them, and stick them aside for that day you have no power but still need to cook dinner.

MISC FOCUS: Plastic Wrap

25 Plastic Wrap Uses You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner | Reader’s Digest

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Orange Julius Recipe

I’m not very good about making smoothies.  I can’t just dump stuff in the blender.  I DO, however, love this recipe.  So refreshing, winter or summer.

6 oz. frozen orange juice
1 c. milk
1 c. water
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla
8-9 ice cubes.

     Blend everything BUT the ice cubes.  Then add them one at a time until thick and icy.

Chocolate Chip Cake Brownies

Because you use a cake mix, you don’t need to worry about eggs or any other fresh ingredients.

Cake mixes won’t store long term, but buy them on sale and use them within the year and you’ll be fine.

1 4-serving size chocolate instant pudding.

Mix with milk according to package directions.

Add in cake mix and mix with an electric mixer until cake mix is moistened.

1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

    Stir in and spread in a 9 X 13 baking dish that has been greased and dusted with cocoa powder.

Sprinkle with

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Cook before cutting.

Copycat Krispy Kreme Glazed Doughnuts

You can do this!  Here goes:

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, mix:

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 tsp. granulated sugar

     Mix this together and let it rest 5-10 minutes

1/4 c. evaporated milk, warmed to 110 degrees
1/4 c. sugar minus 1/2 tsp
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c. vegetable shortening
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

      Set mixer with the whisk attachment and blend until smooth.  Switch mixer to hook attachment, slowly add 1 c. flour, and knead on low speed until smooth and elastic, about 4-5 minutes.

     Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

      Punch dough down and roll into an even layer on a floured surface to slightly less than 1/2 inch thickness.

     Cut into doughnut shapes using a doughnut cutter or two round circles cutters.  Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30-40 minutes.

     Heat 3-4 c. shortening in a cast iron dutch oven to 360 degrees (don’t let it get about 375).  While oil is heating, prepare glaze:

2 TB unsalted butter, melted
1 1/3 c. powdered sugar
1 pinch salt
2 tsp evaporated milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tsp hot water

  Not too thin, fairly thick is good.

Fry doughnuts a few at a time until golden on the bottom, then flip over and fry opposite side.

Transfer to a wire rack and cool 1-2 minutes, then dip in glaze while still warm and return to the wire rack and allow the glaze to set.  Best served warm.  Once cool, reheat 5-10 seconds if desired.

Hope your holiday season was happy and filled with hope for the new year.

I worry about the future but am so thankful to be living in these miraculous times.  It’s it great to be alive right now?

Marti