Sourdough bread--one of the oldest forms of our favorite, gluten-based snacks--has become something of a resurgent celebrity. Amidst the global pandemic, people of various interests and backgrounds suddenly found themselves with more time on their hands, and this tricky-but-delectable sandwich-component became a favorite new skill to develop. Of course, out on the homestead, … [Read more...] about Sourdough from Scratch: Part 1
Skills
Homemade Bone Broth
It’s no secret--the great outdoors get a lot less welcoming in the wintertime. When the seasons cold chases you indoors however, that doesn’t mean you must give up on fun projects and activities until spring! To the contrary, it’s a great time to work on stuff indoors, and the kitchen is always a cozy place to retreat to. This winter, give making your own bone broth a try--it’s … [Read more...] about Homemade Bone Broth
Chestnut Roasting: Origins and Methods
As the temperatures drop nationwide, snow blankets the ground and Christmas approaches, folks all over are beginning to indulge in their favorite holiday traditions. For some, this is cheery fires and yule logs. Others cut evergreens to adorn with festive ornamentation. Still others decorate their whole houses in lights. But for many, it’s the simplest of old-time traditions … [Read more...] about Chestnut Roasting: Origins and Methods
Pickling Meat: A Pre-20th-Century Process
There are all sorts of ways to cure meat, but most at some point require cold-storage to prevent rot. There’s salt curing, smoking, drying, and good old-fashioned freezing, among many others. With one method of curing however, you don’t need to worry quite so much about how quick you eat your meats, or where you store it. Pickling meat is a way of curing and preserving it … [Read more...] about Pickling Meat: A Pre-20th-Century Process
Soap Suds Symposium
As I’m sure many of you know, we’ve mentioned goats and their uses a time or three on this website. From browsing bushwhackers to cheese creators, goats’ uses are legion. You may begin to find, however, that if you have more than a few goats, and you’re not selling anything you make, you may begin to have more milk and cheese than you know what to do with. So today, let’s talk … [Read more...] about Soap Suds Symposium
