This weeks preps check-in

[Brent S]

I heard they used to do it by throwing it in a campfires coals and let it stay overnight.
I set a smoke detector off in a four story army barracks at ft. Leonardwood one evening when I tried to season my first pan. The CO wasn't real happy. They do tend to smoke a little bit.

 

[Trapper]

It's real easy to permanently damage CI in a fire. Temps can't be controlled and the pans can warp or the temper can be taken out of the metal. It will have a red color to it. If won't hold a seasoning after that.

 

[Maverick]

I cook in the fire using cast irons all the time, if the cast iron goes dry not even red hot you take the chance of popping it, you will know when this happens, it sounds like a firearm going off and you may find a large crack in it This is my turn of the century cast iron crepe pan my wife left on the fire too long till it dried cracking it last year, she learned.

 

[Brent S]

It's real easy to permanently damage CI in a fire. Temps can't be controlled and the pans can warp or the temper can be taken out of the metal. It will have a red color to it. If won't hold a seasoning after that.

Appreciate the tip! I didn't know it could be damaged. Do you drop yours in a conventional oven?

 

[hlrive]

I forgot to get me some cast iron pans, dang it. I suppose I can still do that today even though my order should be on it's way already from yesterdays order. I got me a new fire pit yesterday through Gettington and some crank lights for the kids. The fire pit even has a grate so I can cook on it. I liked the looks of it, its bigger then the little round ones they have it's more long for bigger logs, and even has a screen cover you can put on it. Cost more, but to me worth it. Can cook outside rather then having to do it on the grill all the time. I also am planning on cooking up a few dozen more eggs this week and getting them pickled.

Now to go order my cast iron stuff gosh I knew I was forgetting something.

 

[jimLE]

well i went out and picked what okra i could.and i think that may of been the last time for this year..on account the leaves are turning color,and curling up..

i need some cast iron skillets and pots..especially one for skillet corn bread..havent eaten any corn bread baked in a skillet in years

 

[hlrive]

well i went out and picked what okra i could.and i think that may of been the last time for this year..on account the leaves are turning color,and curling up..

i need some cast iron skillets and pots..especially one for skillet corn bread..havent eaten any corn bread baked in a skillet in years

I have never eaten Okra is it good?? I guess you have to get over the slime in it though. Someone told me to steam it then you fry it. That is suppose to get rid of the slime in it. I still haven't tried it.

I ordered me a whole set of cast iron cookware and get a free griddle with it.

 

[jimLE]

i never worry about the slim when cooking it..on account the cooking takes care of that..and as for it being good..it's real great to me..but then again.i grew up eating it..

 

[hlrive]

I will have to try it. If we all like it then I will start planting some. They say it grows good here in NC. Might as well try it.

 

[DrHenley]

The slime is good for you. Intestinal lubricant

 

[Gazrok]

Chickens are producing more now. A couple weeks ago, they started, just seeing two to three eggs a day. Yesterday, collected 8 eggs! At this rate, we'll never be buying them again, that's for sure (and likely be giving some away to friends). I also found a great reference for preserving eggs too: http://www.preparednesspro.com/safely-preserving-eggs

I got the wife onboard with my water barrel idea in the ManCave (to replace the one barrel we have now, which is kind of an eyesore there). We'll be putting in two barrels, then building an opening plywood cover around it (painting it black) to give us more display space.

Yet again, I've been thwarted on the weekend in my plan to build the bunny habitat, but dammit, I will get a free day or to work on this during the holiday season.

I planned out the veggie garden that we'll be prepping in December (planting in Feb), and the herb garden/koi pond we'll be prepping and planting at the same time. In doing so, also decided to grow watermelon, strawberries, and pumpkin, but not in the veggie garden, instead in some select areas of the property. Doesn't sound like a lot of thought, but knowing when to plant what, and which crops need sun vs. shade, etc., you have to plan it out right.

I ordered some cheesewax, as I really want to give this a try. (basically, you can preserve cheese for up to 15 years, without refrigeration....welcome news to my family!)

 

[jontte]

more food stuff as like always + a brand new harmonica and few hundred feet of rope

 

[Gazrok]

Rope. That's a good idea that is pretty overlooked, but so basic.
Chain lengths too.

 

[jimLE]

my okra plants are finely dieing off (from the cold temps)..so i'll be bush hogging them when im ready to..and if i can..i'll be adding grass clippings to the garden.even then.i'll just pile them up on top of the garden.and leave it untill next growing season..then till them into the ground then.and there's 2 hay fields behind where i live..chicken manure is used to fertilize them..so i'll be getting some of it to spread out on it as well..

 

[jontte]

chain,didn't think about that...something to add my shoppinglist.

 

[hlrive]

I did some rearranging of chickens yesterday and today. Have pretty much everyone now where they need to be for the winter. In Feb, they will start being moved to new coops where I can have different breeds separated out. Already got the areas corded off for the new coops. Did a little bit of branch burning today more when I get my outside fireplace this coming week.

I ended up throwing my back out of whack today carrying in 50+ pound boxes from the UPS truck so that wasn't good. So this coming week I will just stock up on food rather then doing work outside that should be done.

 

[jontte]

try to get your back ok

 

[jimLE]

got out there and up rooted my okra plants already this morning..thought of just leaving them there to rot and all..but i got trash to burn,and some scrap lumber thats needs to be gotton rid of..so im just gonna burn it all..then spread the ash out over the garden..and that includes some very fertile soil as well...

 

[hlrive]

try to get your back ok

Lets hope it gets better hubby brought home over 50 ears of corn and 40 pounds of tomatoes his friend gave him, so lots of work to do with it, but my back just isn't going to take standing that long. I baked home made rolls today and thought for sure I was going to pass out from the pain. Going to take a nice hot bath later and see if that helps any. Oh well I suppose I can have the kids help me with the tomatoes tomorrow. I need to can as many as possible before they go bad.

Tomorrow I am going to cook some sweet potatoes hubby got from his friend, and some ham with pineapple. Tonight is hamburger and tomatoes.

 

[Maverick]

Ordered 12 of these; 100 Hour Plus Emergency Candle, Clear Mist

 

[Gazrok]

Have a weird thing. I have two chickens that want to crowd in the same box to lay (even though there are 8 different boxes, all the same). Problem is, lately, at least one egg has a little pecked hole in it, each day, likely as a result of this. Really not sure how to keep them from doing this. Maybe get those ceramic eggs, and put some in other boxes to encourage?

 

[Maverick]

Have a weird thing. I have two chickens that want to crowd in the same box to lay (even though there are 8 different boxes, all the same). Problem is, lately, at least one egg has a little pecked hole in it, each day, likely as a result of this. Really not sure how to keep them from doing this. Maybe get those ceramic eggs, and put some in other boxes to encourage?

cover the box up or turn the nest upside down

 

[Gazrok]

Yeah, thought of that. May just try it. Good to have a second opinion.

 

[jimLE]

I was looking through some jerky recipes,and suddenly remembered a electric smoker that my mom had bought.so i'll work on coming up with jerky recipe that i like.then go with it,and the smoker..

 

[hlrive]

I ordered me 2 new 50 gallon water barrels today. Also decided to move the compost bin so got that dragged across the yard. One of the new barrels has planters on the top. Both have built in spigots. I can even hook a hose to it if needed. I can't wait to get those and set them where I need them. I need to move the small gas grill this week and put it where it wont be in the way, or under the trees. We don't use it where we have a big gas grill but it's always in my way around the bushes. I also ordered a new dog bed for the dog he hasn't got one in the living room. Got my fire pit for the yard today. Gave some friends a few tomatoes today, and cut up 10 of them and made 4 quarts of tomatoes. So I am getting there.

Back felt better today. I think the hot bath did wonders.

 

[hlrive]

I was looking through some jerky recipes,and suddenly remembered a electric smoker that my mom had bought.so i'll work on coming up with jerky recipe that i like.then go with it,and the smoker..

I made deer meat jerky 2 years ago it was really good. Then last year I went to the mexican store and got some beef that was almost paper thin, I made jerky with that and that was good as well. I used Chinese marinade for it. It came out great.

 

[Wiredog8]

If you want something good for the BOB, look for a Mexican supermarket. Look for Machacado. It is dried meat that is nearly pulverized. It is very salty but keeps forever if you vacuum seal it. You can add it to soup or scramble it with eggs.

CAUTION: If you try it by its self, YOU WILL GET ADDICTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(shamefully I know this from my own experiences. lol)

 

[hlrive]

If you want something good for the BOB, look for a Mexican supermarket. Look for Machacado. It is dried meat that is nearly pulverized. It is very salty but keeps forever if you vacuum seal it. You can add it to soup or scramble it with eggs.

CAUTION: If you try it by its self, YOU WILL GET ADDICTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(shamefully I know this from my own experiences. lol)

I will have to look for that. Hubby gets the sausage every now and then, at first I was leery then tried it and now I like it. I keep Maseca all the time. I figure I can make fried tacos, or most anything with it. The kids love it when I make the fried tacos. You would be surprised what I can make with a bag of maseca around, and some refried beans.

I also like the peanut marzipan they have. I try every time I go to get some and put it away, however the kids always find it.

 

[Wiredog8]

I made deer meat jerky 2 years ago it was really good. Then last year I went to the mexican store and got some beef that was almost paper thin, I made jerky with that and that was good as well. I used Chinese marinade for it. It came out great.

The thin cut beef, breaded and deep fried is called milanesa. Good eating with a brown gravy and/or sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[jimLE]

i dont like my jerky to be paper thin..so i'll be buying steak.then slicing it 1/4 to 1/2 thick.plus i like it tender enough where it's not hard to bite off a piece and thew without it being a problem..