re: the chicken carcasses - if you aren't making more stock, scrape off what meat you can / want and then toss them in to your chickens. Mine pick the bones clean of our T'giving turkey
Here is simple recipe that works well for tough chicken. In you Dutch oven or crock pot, layer some slices of onion. On top of that layer your chicken. I shake salt and basil over the pieces and then liberally toss in Rosemary. Put the text of your onion slices on top and add water to almost cover the chicken. Cook it in a 350 degree oven for several hours until it is really smelling good. Or, Shen I do it in the crock pot, I let it go on high from midmorning until dinner.
The chicken comes out tender and moist. I take the liquid and and onions and run it through a blender. You could make gravy out of it or use it as your base for a soup.
We have all had tough birds at some point. Chin up.
I got lots done today. I had erands to run so I hit the two grocery stores that had sales. My health food store had celery a 2 for a dollar and a 10lb bag of potatoes for 99 cents.
I can't miss a sale like that. So today I loaded the Dehydrator with celery. I also did a trial batch of French fries for the freezer. I like to bake my fries so blanching/pre cooking was necessary.
If the turn out well I am going to buy the limit of 3 bags per customer a couple more times. I wa
Instead of making more pie filling I chose to cut and freeze the apples. I was overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do with them all.
Great buy on the veggies! I need to do some french fries for home, since I can't seem to eat any out anymore. What steps to you take to get them ready to freeze?
Farm, I just Googled it. They said to slice and then cook in simmering water until soft. My fries were thin so I think it was just a few min in the water. Then spread on a greased cookie sheet and freeze. Single layer. I had a bit too many for 1 layer. I'm sure they will be fine. Then after frozen bag up. I think in todays batch I will season them before they go in the freezer. The recipie said they should be able to bake up in the oven just like store bought. One thing I had mine in a bowl of lemon water while I finished cutting and waiting for the water to boil.
Karen, I was just thinking this morning that I need to wrap up a few things. Store some crud. Clear my list.
So that leads to today.
Thursday.
Water veggie garden. More peppers , tomatoes to pick.
Store ice maker
Finish celery and fries
Move canned apples downatairs
Dehydrate the rest of the apples
Laundry
Store crock pot, freeze rendered lard.
Things in the back of my head.
I really need to butcher not birds this weekend.
Clean the coop before next month, Nov.
I need a truckload of that wonderful mulch.
Girls want more matching skirts.
Dh has 3 cousins having babies. I wanted to make blankets. I don't think I can get all 3 done. So its really an all
or nothing kind of thing.
We have a pile of wood that needs splitting. We don't rely on wood for heat. But its nice to have.
Thanks for the info on the fries. You know most commercial french fries are kept separated while frozen by a dusting of Modified Food Starch (often wheat based). That is why I can't eat them anymore. I always end up with a sick tummy. :/
That is quite a list gal. Remember... pace yourself. You already got more done yesterday that I will all week.
I did not know that modified food starch was wheat based. I guess I should check for that. I do know that when I have bought FF from the freezer section it seemed like there were way to many ingredients on the list. Hey how do you think I can make tater tots??
I am having a hard time coming up with options for dinner. The kids have revolted against the Quinoa, The have decided they love brown rice. I don't want instant anything. We cant eat noodles every night. I know we really don't need the carbs but I don't believe in cutting them out totally. Its kinda like candy, if you don't let them have it they will go out and sneak it in huge amounts.
Well I put away the blender and crock pot.
Moved all my miscellaneous stuff into my dumbwaiter to send downstairs. yes I have a dumbwaiter, long story. :/
Got the ice maker out of the kitchen. Its not boxed yet but not in my way either.
Gathered up and boxed unused canning jars. shoved them in a corner because I know I will ned them soon.
diced 4 heads of celery and packaged to freeze. I have decided dehydrating is not the way to go.
All the kids at school, beds made.
dishes going
got to jump on the laundry.
Then I'm off for more celery and potatoes.
Man OH MAN - do I ever wish I had a dumbwaiter!! <jealous>
My freezers are downstairs and so is the majority of my canning storage, so I have to go up and down the stairs (or send someone else to do it when I can't manage the steps) almost everyday. I would SO love to be able to load up a dumbwaiter with supplies enough for several meals. Navigate the steps once and bring it up to unload.
Hubby has even been informed that the next house we live in we WILL have one for sure. The day is coming closer and closer that steps are just not going to be an option for me. I hope we can move by then.