Refried Beans

Soak 2 C pinto beans and 1 chopped onion overnight in 2 quarts of water.

Cook beans in water until tender for 2-3 hours check often to be sure beans don't dry out.

Add:
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 C oil or lard

Beat with an electric mixer until smooth while beans are still hot.

TRUE LOVE!

I went to Randy's cousin's dairy and took pictures of their kids working and helping milk the cows. What a great experience. You can't imagine how hard everyone works including the 4 young children. Everyone has a job and every job is important. I think of them everytime I grab the milk out of the fridge. Not just a little peck but a great big smooch! Watch out boyfriends.

My grandson Price loves to help with Fall Harvest. He loves to pick, sort, wash, blend and top it all off with a PB&J sandwich.This small bucket of plums made some darn good plum jam. My favorite recipe is in the MCP Pectin box. I prefer freezer jam. It is simple, quick and delicious!

Soap Making

Soap making was an important part of pioneer life. Very rarely did a family have store bought soap of any kind. In early days, lye for soap was made by pouring boiling water over wood ashes, then straining it. When I first started making soap I could buy Red Devil Lye from the grocery store. This product was removed from the shelves 3 years ago. Without lye you cannot make soap. If you google "where to buy lye for making soap" you can locate supplier for this necessary ingredient. I have made soap many time. It is not difficult, although it was intimidating the first couple of times I made it. This is all I use now. It feels so much nicer and in the winter months I don't get itchy skin. Nothing like a big ole stack of homemade soap!

You Can Store Honey Indefinitely

Storing honey is very easy. Keep it in a cool location away from direct sunlight in a tightly covered container. It is not necessary to refrigerate honey. If stored honey becomes cloudy it has become crystallized. It is not harmful nor is it any indication of deterioration. Honey has an indefinite shelf-life because of its high concentration of sugar. Raw honey with high pollen content will crystallize even faster, and cold temperatures also cause crystals. If your honey crystallizes, you can easily re-liquefy it by gently heating the jar in a pan of hot water, stirring while heating. Do not overheat as heat may alter flavor and color as a result of carmelization of the sugars.

Honey-Almond Scrub

1 Tbls unsalted, unroasted almonds
1 egg white
1 Tbls honey

In a blender or food processor, grind almonds into a fine meal, stopping short of pulverizing them into powder. In the bowl, mix almond meal with honey and egg white. Apply the mixture to your face and neck with your fingertips, massaging gently in a circular motion. Let set for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Yield: 1 scrub

Basic Mentholatum

1 pint Vaseline
2 cakes camphor, grated
1 Tbls menthol crystals

Mix together, pour into a glass or plastic container. Seal tightly.

Chocolate Raisin Cookies (from basic cookie mix)

2 C Basic Cookie Mix
1/4 C sugar
2 1/2 Tbls water
1/4 C baking cocoa
1/2 raisins
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbls dried egg powder (reconstituted) or 2 fresh eggs

Combine all ingredients and mix until moistened. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Ginger Cookies (from basic cookie mix)

2 C Basic Cookie Mix
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 C molasses
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbls dried egg powder (reconstituted) or 2 fresh eggs

Banana Coconut Cookies (from basic cookie mix)

2 C Basic Cookie Mix
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C coconut
1/2 C chopped nuts or rolled 6 grain cereal
1/4 C dried crushed banana chips, softened in 2 Tbls water
2 Tbls dried egg powder (reconstituted) or 2 fresh eggs

Mix all ingredients together. Drop by spoonfuls on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Basic Cookie Mix

6 C flour
2 C sugar
2 tsp salt
1 C powdered milk
2 Tbls baking powder
1 1/2 C shortening

Sift all dry ingredients together. Cut in the shortening until it resembles coarse meal. Store in an airtight container.

Gumdrop Chews ( from basic oatmeal cookie mix)

2 C Oatmeal Cookie Mix
1/2 C diced gumdrops
2 Tbls dried egg powder (reconstituted) or 2 fresh eggs
1/2 C coconut
2 Tbls milk

Mix all ingredients together. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies (from basic oatmeal cookie mix)

2 C Oatmeal Cookie Mix
1/2 peanut butter
1/4 C honey
1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together. Drop by spoonfuls on a cooke sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-13 minutes.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (from basic oatmeal cookie mix)

2 C Oatmeal Cookie Mix
1/4 C evaporated milk
1 C chocolate chips

Combine ingredients and mix well. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Basic Oatmeal Cookie Mix

4 C flour
1 C sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
2 C shortening
4 C oatmeal or rolled wheat

Sift together all dry ingredients except oatmeal. Mix in the sugar. Cut in the shortening until mixture forms fine crumbs. Add oatmeal or rolled wheat. Mix well. Store in a tightly covered container.

Make Your Clothes White Again Potion

One gallon hot water
1 C dishwasher detergent (I prefer Cascade)
1/4 C bleach
Put in a plastic bucket and stir well until dishwasher detergent is dissolved.

Put WHITE 100% cotton garments or linens in this and let them soak for 30 minutes, then wash as usual. I use about a cup of vinegar in the rinse water. This will help to neutralize any compound agent left in the fabric. The garments will come out snow white. This works really well on dingy whites as well as difficult stains. Do Not keep reusing the same mixture once it has become discolored.

Teriyaki Sauce

1/2 C soy sauce
1/2 C water
1 Tbls brown sugar
pinch of ground cloves
pinch of ground ginger
pinch of garlic powder

Sweet and Sour Sauce

1 1/4 C water
1 C sugar
1/4 C cider vinegar
2 Tlbs corn starch
2 drops yellow food coloring
2 drops red food coloring

Bring to a boil and stir until clear.

Whole Wheat Waffles

4 eggs separated
4 C milk
1/3 C oil
3 C whole wheat flour
4 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Mix well egg yolks, milk and oil. Combine with the dry ingredients. Beat egg whites until stiff and gently fold into batter.

*Always freeze whole wheat flour after it has be ground.

Frozen Fruit Cocktail

12 peaches (cut in chunks)
2 C sugar
1 lb green grapes
1 15 oz can crushed pineapple
juice of 3 oranges
juice of 2 lemons

Freeze in Ziplock freezer bags. Place flat on a cookie sheet. After bags are frozen remove from cookie sheet. These stack very well when done this way.

Basic Brownie Mix

4 c flour
4 tsp baking powder
4 tsp salt
8 c sugar
2 1/2 c cocoa
2 c shortening

Mix dry ingredients together; add shortening and mix well. Store in an air tight container. Makes 16 cups.

To bake:
4 c mix
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2-1 c nuts

Mix together. Put in a greased 9x13 inch pan and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Spray and Wash

1 quart liquid Wisk
1 quart non-sudsy ammonia
2 quarts water

Mix well. Store in a spray bottle. Spray on stains and work into fabric before washing.

Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing Clone

1/2 C mayonnaise
1/2 C buttermilk
1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp msg (Accent brand is good)
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp onion powder
pinch dried thyme

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth.
2. Cover and chill for several hours before serving.

Copy Cat Lipton's Onion Soup Mix

3/4 C dried minced onion or onion flakes
1/3 C beef bouillon powder
4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp celery seed
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp pepper

1. Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
2. about 5 Tbls of mix are equal to one 1 1/4 ounce package.
3. To make onion dip: Mix 5 Tbles with one pint of sour cream.

Caramel Sauce

Pour sweetened condensed milk into top of double boiler; place over boiling water. Simmer over low heat for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until thick and caramel-colored, stirring occasionally. Beat until smooth.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

3/4 c dry milk
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c hot water

Combine milk and sugar in mixing bowl. Pour hot water into blender; add the milk and sugar mixture and blend until smooth. (A hand mixer may be used.)
Makes 14 ounces.

Whipped Evaporated Milk

1 c. evaporated milk (chill in the freezer until ice crystals form around the edges)

Whip until stiff. Sweeten with sugar. Add 1 tsp. vanilla. Best if prepared just before serving.

Evaporated Milk

1 1/2 c warm water
1 cup dry milk

Mix ingredients thoroughly. Refrigerate, preferably overnight.

Powdered Milk

Non-fat dry milk is a wholesome dairy product made from fresh milk. Only the cream and water are removed. It still contains the calcium and other minerals, the vitamins, natural sugar and high quality protein that make liquid milk such a valuable food.

Powdered Milk is available in two common forms: Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk Powder and Regular Non-Fat Dry Milk Powder. Regular Non-Fat Dry Milk is sometimes referred to as "Non-Instant". It does not dissolve as easily as instant milk powder and is more difficult to find.

Reconstituted powdered milk tastes much better than it use to. It is definitely worth giving another try. I prefer Regular Non-Fat Dry Milk and this is what I store for the most part. If you purchase a good product and if mixed correctly and chilled overnight, it taste quite good. Reconstituted milk does not taste the same as whole milk but if you are already use to skim milk you won't notice much difference in the flavor. Reconstituted milk can be substituted for fresh milk in most any recipe with the same results. To save money I often cook with reconstituted milk.

Drinking powdered milk as a beverage for some will be difficult but there are some things that you can do to make powdered milk taste better. Mixing it with fresh whole milk for body and flavor is a good alternative. My personal favorite is Morning Moo.

To get good tasting powdered milk make sure you start with fresh dry milk. If your milk is older than one year and has not been properly stored use this for cooking and try buying fresh powder for drinking.

Powdered milk will keep for up to 25 years as long as it is properly stored and it is kept in a cool dry place. My favorite is Morning Moo. A 37# pail costs $100.75 and makes 52 gallons of milk. This is about $1.94 per gallon.

Tips
1. Use sightly warm water as the powder tends to dissolve easier.
2. Stir the milk vigorously to dissolve the milk powder. Let the milk sit for a while a stir again. The protein in the milk powder blends most easily if it gets a chance to stand after mixing.
3. Powdered milk may be used immediately after mixing if desired. For the best flavor chill the milk for t least 4 hours or overnight.
4. For improved flavor add a drop or two of vanilla or a couple of teaspoons of sugar.

Soy Milk Formula

Soy milk is a good substitute for any one that is allergic to cow's milk. Soak 2 C soybeans for 12 hours. Change the water frequently. Grind the soaked, raw beans with a fine blade on a food grinder. Add 6 C water to the beans in a large pan. Cook until foamy for about 1 hour. Put through a blender, then strain through a cheesecloth. Refrigerate. To improve the flavor add a bit of salt.

Emergency Candles

2 C fine sawdust
1 lb melted wax

Chip or cut up wax into small pieces, and melt over water, never directly over flame or burner. This can be done in the same can that you are going to use for the candle. Put the sawdust in a shoebox and pour the wax over the sawdust. Mix until it holds together well when pressed in your hands. Pack and press the mixture into the can tightly and firmly. Make a hole with a long knitting needle. Add the wick, pushing it all the way to the bottom of the can. Pour melted wax over the top to secure.

Greenhouse

This past weekend I went to the Twin Falls, Idaho home and garden show. I love events like this! I love the people, the food, the new ideas, the product and in that order. I found it interesting that they put shredded bark down in the walkways. It smelled like spring. I wonder who the lucky recipient will be when the show is over.

I have been looking at greenhouses for years and I think I've found the one. If you have the greenhouse bug check this one out.

Instant Oatmeal Packets

In a blender, pulse 1 1/2 cups oats until mixture is powdery.

Measure into 10 Ziploc bags the following ingredients.

1/4 cup unpowdered oats
2 Tbls powdered oats
1/8 t. salt
3/4 t. sugar

Close the top securely. Attach directions below. Store in a cool, dry place.

Microwave Directions: Empty packet into microwaveable bowl. Add 2/3 cup water or milk. Microwave on high for about 1 minute. Stir, serve with milk.

Stove Top Directions: Boil 2/3 cup water. Empty packet into pan. Cook and stir until thickened, about 1 minute. Pour milk over cereal just before serving.

Oats

The Scottish people have a long history of using oats. Oats are a very versatile grain, being used as a cereal and as a supplementary grain in cookies, breads, desserts, crusts, meatloafs, muffins, and granola.

Oats are an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium. Both old-fashioned and quick oats have the same nutritional benefits: no preservatives, artificial ingredients, salt, or sugar.

Wheat

It is believed that wheat was first domesticated from wild grasses as long ago as 9,000 B.C. It has been found in the pyramids of Egypt. Wheat is mentioned throughout the Bible and has been a food of man throughout recorded history. It is considered the most important grain crop in the world, providing 40% - 60% of the available energy and protein in developing countries.

Whole wheat flour is the foundation of good bread-making. It is an excellent source of Vitamin E, the B Vitamins, as well as other nutrients. It contains the highest amount of gluten of any grain. This becomes the elastic part of the dough and holds the yeast bubbles within the bread causing the bread to rise. Wheat can be stored for up to 30 years. It can be ground, cracked, toasted, fried, and sprouted.

Sudden additions of high-fiber whole grains to your diet can cause temporary gastrointestinal distress (bloating, diarrhea, etc). To lessen any problems, begin by rotating wheat with rice, oats, beans, and macaroni in meals or by adding a little at a time to each food or meal cooked.

When starting to use whole wheat flour in place of white in your baking, make the transition gradually by first replacing just half the white flour with the same amount of whole wheat flour. Over time increase the proportion of whole wheat flour. In baking, replace 1 cup white four with 1 cup whole wheat flour minus 1 tablespoon. Use a small amount of additional liquid when using whole wheat four.

Pineapple Syrup

3 Tbls butter
1 C crushed pineapple
2 Tbls brown sugar
dash of nutmeg

Melt butter in a saucepan. Add crushed pineapple and brown sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes stirring until clear. Add a dash of nutmeg. Serve on waffle, pancakes or ice cream.

Fruit Syrup

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly:
1/2 C sugar
2 C water (use fruit juice for part of the water)
3 Tbls corn starch

Add:
2 C sliced peaches or other fruit
Simmer till fruit is tender.

Add 2 Tbls lemon juice

Cinnamon Syrup

1 C Karo syrup
1 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbls butter
1 can evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla


Bring to a boil and immediately remove from the heat. Add the butter, evaporated milk and vanilla. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

Blueberry Syrup

1 pint fresh blueberries or frozen
blueberries, rinsed, stems removed.
(the frozen blueberries must be thawed)
1 C sugar
1/4 C water

Place ingredients in a small saucepan and stir well. Cook over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar, and pressing berries against the side of the pan to crush slightly, until berries get slightly soft and mixture gets syrupy, 10-12 minute. Serve warm or cool.

To Die For Buttermilk Syrup

2 cubes butter (not margarine)
1 C buttermilk
2 C sugar
2 tsp corn syrup
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla

Bring butter, buttermilk, sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Boil until sugar dissolves. Take off heat, then add baking soda and vanilla. The syrup becomes frothy and rises so whisk quickly and don't use too small of a sauce pan. Refrigerate any leftover syrup. This recipe can be cut in half for a smaller crowd. Great on pancakes, french toast, scones, and coffee cake.

Maple Syrup

2 C white sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1 1/2 C water
1/4 C clear Karo syrup
1 Tbls maple flavoring
1/2 tsp vanilla

In a saucepan , stir together the sugars and water and boil for several minutes until is a little thicker when dripped from a spoon. Take off the stove and stir in the Karo syrup, maple, and vanilla. Store extra syrup in a jar in the refrigerator.

Honey Syrup

3 C honey
3 C water

Combine in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to blend. Simmer gently 5 minutes. Serve over pancakes and waffles.

Mustard Plaster for Chest Colds

4 Tbls flour
2 tsp oil
1 Tbls dry mustard

Mix in lukewarm water to form a paste. Spread on thin clean cloth and cover. Place on chest for 20 minutes (shorter time for small children). Be careful not to burn the skin. Remove the plaster and cover the chest with camphorated oil or Vicks. Then cover with warm fabric such as flannel or a towel. Repeat in 4 hours.

Cough Syrup

1 C. honey
juice of 2 lemons
1/2 C. hot water
1 Tbls glycerin

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly and take 1 tablespoon at a time when cough persists.

Charcoal

Charcoal is a very useful fuel. It can be made from twigs and limbs of fruit, nut and other hardwood trees; from black walnuts or peach and apricot pits. It makes a hot fire which gives off little or no smoke. It very useful when cooking with dutch ovens as you can control the heat better.

To make charcoal, simply put the wood in a can which has a few holes punched in it. Put a lid on the can and cook it over a hot fire. The holes in the can will allow the gases and flame to escape. The exclusion of oxygen keeps the wood from completely burning to ashes. When the flame from the holes in the can turns to yellow-red, remove the can from the fire and allow to cool. Store in paper bags or cardboard cartons.

Randy and I spent a couple of weeks in Africa. We saw many people on the side of the road making charcoal. They would than fry fish using a cut off 55 gallon barrel, a flimsy wire rack, and their homemade charcoal.

Window Cleaner

1 pint rubbing alcohol
1 Tbls dawn dishwashing detergent
4 Tbls ammonia

Add enough water to make a gallon. Add a little blue food coloring.

Rich Chocolate Milk Mix

SERVE HOT OR COLD

1 C. baking cocoa

3 or 4 C. sugar

1/2 tsp salt

4 C. instant powdered milk

Combine ingredients and store in a covered container. To use mix with water or milk to taste. Heat for cocoa or chill for chocolate milk.

How to Make Mustard

MUSTARD

1/3 C flour

1/2 C sugar

1 Tbls salt

3/4 C dry mustard

1 1/2 C white vinegar

1 green onion

Blend, keep refrigerated.

Wheat Flour for White Flour Substitution

1 cup minus 2 TBLS wheat flour = 1 cup white flour

If using baking powder or soda increase by 1/3. If using yeast, double the yeast.

Granola

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

6 c. regular oats

2 c. wheat flour

1 T.vanilla

3/4 c. dry powdered milk

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 c. coconut (optional)

3/4 c. honey

1/2 c. water (more water makes it less clumpy)

2/3 c. oil

Mix all dry ingredients together: oats, flour, dry milk, sugar, and salt. Stir in a big bowl and get the lumps out. (your hands work well) In a separate bowl mix all liquids: oil, honey, water, and vanilla. Warm slightly in the microwave so it pours easily. Add to dry ingredients and stir well. Pour on to a large cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees, stirring every 10 minutes until browned to a golden color, about 40 minutes. Let cool, you can add nuts, cinnamon, and dried fruit for breakfast cereal.

For trail mix add chocolate chips, M&M's, and nuts.