Friday, July 25, 2008

Cooking with Basic Home Storage: Another rice and bean recipe

Rice and Black Bean Bake

1 15 oz can black beans rinsed
1 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 8 oz jar picante sauce
2 cups cooked rice
1 8 oz sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

In a bowl combine first four, stir in rice, sour cream, 1 cup cheese. Transfer to a greased 13x9 baking dish sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake uncovered @ 350 for 20 minutes.

Source: http://thecrazyshopper.blogspot.com/2008/07/rice-recipes.html

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Water Storage: Do you have enough drinking water?

Do you have the minimum recommended amounts of drinkable water? Remember, this is not for cooking, washing clothes, showering, cleaning or flushing toilets--just drinking and very minimal hygiene like hand washing and teeth brushing.

For a couple you’d need 28 gallons
Family of 4 = 56 gallons (think 55 gallon barrel)
Family of 5 = 70 gallons
Family of 6 = 84 gallons
Family of 7 = 98 gallons
Family of 8 = 112 gallons
Family of 9 = 126 gallons
Family of 10 = 140 Gallons (you might find grown children coming back to roost in an emergency)

Source: http://www.letusprepare.blogspot.com/

Friday, July 18, 2008

Calling for any good food storage recipes

Do you have any good recipes utilizing food storage that will work for everyday? Please share them with us!

Food storage needs to be rotated and the best way to do so is to incorporate it into your family's weekly/monthly menus. If you have a great recipe that uses one or more food storage ingredients, please share it with our readers by adding a comment to this blog entry with the recipe.

Thanks, readers!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Cooking with Basic Food Storage: Dried Apple Recipes

Many of you have dried apples from the church's home storage center. I just found some great recipes utilizing them. Enjoy!

Dried apples are an excellent snack right out of the can. To reconstitute, use equal parts of dried apples to boiling water. For example: 2 cups dried apples, 2 cups boiling water. Let stand at least 5 minutes and voila! You have apples!

Applesauce
If you put this mixture through the blender, you will have applesauce. For variety add 3 tbsp. cinnamon heart candy to the mixture before you let it set or try some cinnamon and sugar mixture in it.

Stewed Apples and Raisins
1 c dried apples
Cover with 4 c boiling water and let stand for 5 minutes in a sauce pan.
Add 1 c raisins and simmer until tender. You may wish to sweeten this with brown sugar. This could also be thickened with flour or tapioca and placed in a pie shell.

Dutch Apple Pie
One pie crust

Filling:
2 c dried appples firmly packed
2 c boiling water
Pour over apples and let set for 5 minutes

Mix together:
1/3 c sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. four

Add to the apple mix and continue cooking until thick. Stir constantly to prevent scorching. Pour mixture into pie shell and dot with 1 tbsp. butter.

Topping:
1/3 c brown sugar
1/2 c flour
1/4 c butter

Cut in till crumbly. Sprinkle over the apple mixture and place in 350 degree oven for 55 minutes.

Applet (Candy)
2 1/4 c dried apples, break into small pieces approximately 1/3 inch by 1/3 inch. Do not grate as you don't want to look like applesauce when cooked.

Pour 2 c boiling water over apples and let sit at least 5 minutes in a 2 qt. saucepan.

Add 2 c sugar to this mixture and bring to a boil over medium heat. Make sure you are stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Boil for 1 minute.

Turn the heat to simmer and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. While this mixture simmer, put 5 tbsp. cold water into a small bwol and add 3 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin. Chop a cup of walnuts and grease a square pan. At the end of the 30 minutes, turn off the heat and add the gelatin to the apple mixture and stir until it is dissolved. Add 1 tbsp. vanilla and the cup of chopped walnuts, stir well and pour into the greased pan. Let cool for 2 hours. Cut into squares, roll in powdered sugar to coat and let set a while before wrapping in plastic wrap. These will store up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

Apple Filled Cookies
Filling:
Chop or break 2 c dried apples into small pieces. DO NOT RECONSTITUTE as in previous recipes. Place in a saucepan then add:
3/4 c water
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c chopped nuts
1 tbsp flour
Cook together slowly, stir constantly to prevent scorching until thick. Cool dough.

Cream together:
1 c butter
1 3/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c water

Mix well:
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp soda

Blend in :
3 1/2 c flour (wheat or white)

Drop by by teaspoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Make a depression in the middle of each drop and place filling in the depression and then place 1/2 tsp. dough on top of filling. Bake at 350 degrees about 12 minutes.

Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Cream:
1 c shortening
2 c sugar

Add:
2 eggs
2 c applesauce (2 c dried apples, 2 c boiling water, let stand for 5 minutes)

Add and mix well:
2 tsp soda
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves

Add:
3 1/2 c flour
2 c oatmeal
1 c chopped nuts (optional)
1 c chocolate chips (optional)
1 c raisins (optional)

Mix well and drop by spoonfuls on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees 10-12 minutes.

Apple Brown Betty
Pour 2 c boiling water over 4 cups dried apples. Let stand at least 5 minutes.

Topping: Mix the following ingredients well:
1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c oatmeal
1/4 c brown sugar
Then cut in 1/4 c butter

Place the apples and liquid remaining in a greased 9 x 9 pan. Sprinkle the topping over the apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes.

Apple Pie Filling
1 2/3 c dry apple slices
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 1/2 c water
2/3 c sugar
2 tsp lemon juice (optional)
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Mix all dry ingredients together, then add water and mix well. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. If baking a pie, preheat oven to 425 degrees, place in oven and bake 40 minutes or until golden brwon in pastry shell. (May use peeled and sliced fresh apples--enough to fill pie crust.)

Apple Crisp (with Pie Filling)
Put pie filling in a greased square pan. Mix together:
1/4 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 c butter
1/4 c rolled oats or oatmeal

Mix together thoroughly and spread over pie filling. Bake in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Cooking with Basic Food Storage: Honey Recipes

Orange Banana Milk (serves 4)
1 6 oz. can orange juice concentrate
1 medium banana
3 cups ice water
1/2 c milk (3 tbsp nonfat dry milk to 1/2 c water)
1 tbsp sugar or honey

Put in blender and blend until foamy. Try this nutritious drink for breakfast or as a great summertime snack.

Honey Carrot Cake
2 eggs
1/2 c oil
1 c honey
1/2 c buttermilk
1 c chopped carrots or reconstituted carrots
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups flour

Beat eggs. Add oil, honey and buttermilk, mix well. Sift flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and add to egg mixture. Beat until smooth. Add carrots and mix well. Pour into greased 8-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Dry Pack Canning: Preparation directions for selected items

Apple Slices
1 c dry apples to 1/2 c water yields 2 c fresh apples

Beans
Soften beans by adding 3 cups hot water and 2tsp baking soda per cup of beans. Soak overnight, drain, rinse and cook.

Carrots
To rehydrate, use 1 volume carrots to 1 volume ice water. Allow 20 minutes.

Fruit Drink Mix
Add 1 cup drink mix to enough cold water to make 2 quarts. Blend well.

Hot Cocoa
Use 1/4 c mix per 3/4 c hot water, or 1 to 1 1/4 c mix per quart of hot water. Beat or blend until smooth.

Potato Pearls
Add 2 cups hot water (+180 degrees) to 1 cup potato pearls. Stir briefly, cover and allow to stand for 5 too 10 minutes before serving.

Rice, White
Use 2 cups boiling water and 1 tsp salt (optional) per cup rice. Cook covered about 15 minutes or until moist and tender.

Rolled Oats
Use 2 cups water per cup of oats with 1/4 tsp salt (optional). Bring water and salt to boil. Add oats and stir. Cook two minutes, stirring occasionally.

Dry Soup Mix
Add 1 cup dry soup mix to 3 quarts water or meat broth. Add vegetables, meat, or bouillon as desired. Simmer for 45 minutes. Season to taste. Contains: split green peas, alphabets, pearl barley, lentils, rice and onions.

Nonfat Dry Milk
Add 3/4 c nonfat dry milk to 1 quart warm water. Mix well and chill.

Cooking with Basic Food Storage: Egg Substitute for use in baking

Egg Substitute (for use in baking)

Before starting recipe for cookies, cake, etc., combine 1 tsp. unflavored gelatin with 3 tbsp. cold water and 2 tbsp. plus 1 tsp boiling water. This mixture will substitute for 1 egg in a recipe.

Cooking with Basic Food Storage: Using Leavening Agents: Yeast, Baking Powder, Baking Soda

A one year supply of dry yeast, baking powder and baking soda is essential in preparing baked foods. At high altitudes, less leavening is needed.

Below find a recipe to make everlasting yeast with just a small amount of yeast required originally but which will last indefinitely if you keep the start and remake some each time.

Everlasting Yeast

1 quart warm potato water*
1/2 yeast cake or 1/2 tbsp dry yeast
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
2 cups white or whole wheat flour

Stir all ingredients together. Place mixture in a warm place to rise until ready to mix for baking. Leave a small amount of everlasting yeast as a starter for later use. When not using, keep in a covered jar in refrigerator until a few hours before ready to use again.

Add the same ingredients, except yeast, to the everlasting yeast start for the next baking. By keeping everlasting yeast start and remaking some each time, yeast can be kept on hand indefinitely.

*Strain excess water after boiling potatoes, refrigerate in airtight container.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Financial Preparedness

Recently the First Presidency distributed a letter to be read in sacrament meetings. In the letter, the First Presidency states that “reports of fraud schemes and unwise investments prompt us to again counsel members with respect to prudence in managing one’s financial affairs.” They also wrote that they are “concerned that there are those who use relationships of trust to promote risky or even fraudulent investment and business schemes.”

“We are concerned that some church members ignore the oft-repeated direction to prepare and live within a budget, avoid consumer debt, and to save against a time of need.”

“Consideration should also be given to investing wisely with responsible and established financial institutions. We are also concerned that there are those who use relationships of trust to promote risky or even fraudulent investment and business schemes.”

“While all investments carry an element of risk, that risk can be managed by following sound and proven financial principles: first, avoid unnecessary debt, especially consumer debt; second, before investing, seek advice from a qualified and licensed financial advisor; and third, be wise.”

We have heard this counsel from the brethren over and over again. Now is the time to listen and heed the words of our prophet and his counselors.

Preparedness Quotes

"When faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in worldly things and activities, we all need to learn to say to one another, 'We can’t afford it, even though we want it!' or 'We can afford it, but we don’t need it—and we really don’t even want it!'" - Elder Robert D. Hales, April 2009 General Conference

"Many areas of the world have experienced difficult economic times. Businesses have failed, jobs have been lost, and investments have been jeopardized. We must make certain that those for whom we share responsibility do not go hungry or unclothed or unsheltered. When the priesthood of this Church works together as one in meeting these vexing conditions, near miracles take place.

"We urge all Latter-day Saints to be prudent in their planning, to be conservative in their living, and to avoid excessive or unnecessary debt."
- President Thomas S. Monson, October 2008 Priesthood Session, General Conference

"Avoid the philosophy that yesterday's luxuries have become today's necessities. They aren't necessities until we make them so. Many enter into long-term debt only to find that changes occur; people become ill or incapacitated, companies fail or downsize, jobs are lost, natural disasters befall us. For many reasons, payments on large amounts of debt can no longer be made. Our debt becomes as a Damocles sword hanging over our heads and threatening to destroy us."
- President Thomas S. Monson, April 2006 General Conference

“We have built grain storage and storehouses and stocked them with the necessities of life in the event of a disaster. But the real storehouse is the family storeroom. In words of revelation the Lord has said, ‘Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing’ (D&C 109:8.)”
President Gordon B. Hinckley

"We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult--the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value.

"We are living in the prophesied time 'when peace shall be taken from the earth' (D&C 1:35,) when 'all things shall be in commotion' and 'men's hearts shall fail them' (D&C 88:91.) There are many temporal causes of commotion, including wars and natural disasters, but an even greater cause of current 'commotion' is spiritual." Elder Dallin H. Oaks

“Every father and mother are the family’s store keepers. They should store whatever their family would like to have in case of an emergency…(and) God will sustain us through our trials.” President James E. Faust

“We live in a most exciting and challenging period in human history. As technology sweeps through every facet of our lives, changes are occurring so rapidly that it can be difficult for us to keep our lives in balance. To maintain some semblance of stability in our lives, it is essential that we plan for our future. I believe it is time, and perhaps with some urgency, to review the counsel we have received in dealing with our personal and family preparedness. We want to be found with oil in our lamps sufficient to endure to the end.”- Elder L. Tom Perry, Ensign, Nov. 1995

"Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year's supply of food. . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food free." President Thomas S. Monson

"Just as it is important to prepare ourselves spiritually, we must also prepare ourselves for our temporal needs. … We have been instructed for years to follow at least four requirements in preparing for that which is to come.

“First, gain an adequate education. Learn a trade or a profession to enable you to obtain steady employment that will provide remuneration sufficient to care for yourself and your family. …

“Second, live strictly within your income and save something for a rainy day. Incorporate in your lives the discipline of budgeting that which the Lord has blessed you with. As regularly as you pay your tithing, set aside an amount needed for future family requirements. …

“Third, avoid excessive debt. Necessary debt should be incurred only after careful, thoughtful prayer and after obtaining the best possible advice. We need the discipline to stay well within our ability to pay. …

“Fourth, acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies that will sustain life [if local laws permit such storage]. Obtain clothing and build a savings account on a sensible, well-planned basis that can serve well in times of emergency. As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year’s supply of necessities. I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness.” - Elder L. Tom Perry, October 1995 General Conference

“Maintain a year's supply. The Lord has urged that his people save for the rainy days, prepare for the difficult times, and put away for emergencies, a year's supply or more of bare necessities so that when comes the flood, the earthquake, the famine, the hurricane, the storms of life, our families can be sustained through the dark days. How many of us have complied with this? We strive with the Lord, finding many excuses: We do not have room for storage. The food spoils. We do not have the funds to do it. We do not like these common foods. It is not needed -- there will always be someone to help in trouble. The government will come to the rescue. And some intend to obey but procrastinate.” - The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.375

“All too often a family's spending is governed more by their yearning than by their earning. They somehow believe that their life will be better if they surround themselves with an abundance of things. All too often all they are left with is avoidable anxiety and distress” - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

"Be prepared in all things against the day when tribulations and desolations are sent forth upon the wicked." D&C 29:8

"Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not aquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them." President Ezra Taft Benson

"Fear not little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. . .Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." D&C 6:34, 36

"I believe that the Ten Virgins represent the people of the Church of Jesus Christ. . . They (five foolish) had the saving, exalting gospel, but it had not been made the center of their lives. They knew the way but gave only a small measure of loyalty and devotion.

"The foolish asked the others to share their oil, but spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant. . . . This was not selfishness or unkindness. The kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable. . . . In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living." - President Spencer W. Kimball

“We encourage families to have on hand this year’s supply; we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where he says, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?” How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so-called, into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the things which he says." - President Spencer W. Kimball


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