Category Archives: Recipes & Cooking

Favorite simple yet delicious recipes in my Texas Homestead kitchen.

Homestead Hack: Use Residual Heat To Dehydrate

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by Texas Homesteader ~
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(Note: Some links in this post are for further information from earlier posts I’ve written. But links preceded with * are affiliate links. If you click them and buy something (almost anything, not just the item noted) I could receive a small purchase. But the price you pay will NOT change. It’s an easy way to support this blog without anything coming out of your pocket. So click often! Thank you!) 

OK by now y’all know I’m a dehydrating fool!  I bought my dream appliance, an *Excalibur 9-tray dehydrator and I think I’m in love! 

I’ve put that thing through the paces, dehydrating all kinds of fruits and veggies. And I’ve even made Italian-flavored tomato leather to just roll out and plop on my homemade French-Bread Pizza. No rehydration needed! I think it’s safe to say I’ve been bitten by the dehydrating bug.

I use many dehydrated veggies in my wintertime simmering Endless Soup. And I use most of my dehydrated fruits as replacement for raisins in my Homemade Pumpkin Granola. 

But I’ve also been dehydrating veggies to grind and use for my own homemade powdered seasoning. I hate to pull out a large dehydrator to dehydrate such small portions, and it almost seems even my other small household model is a bit much. 

Check out today’s Homestead Hack. I’ve found a way to quickly dehydrate small amounts of food for FREE!

Homestead Hack: I make my own powdered seasoning from dried veggies. But I've found a way to dehydrate small amounts of food for FREE! #TexasHomesteader

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How To Make Rice More Flavorful With FREE Vegetable Broth!

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

I make rice often. It’s inexpensive and lends itself to many different flavors of almost any meal. But I’ve found a way to make rice even more flavorful and nutritious versus cooking it in plain water. And it’s FREE!

Use Whatcha Got is what I always say! Check out this Homestead Hack. 

've discovered an easy way to really intensify the flavor of rice when I prepare it. Check out this Homestead Hack! #TexasHomesteader Continue reading →

Mother Earth News Post: Food Waste

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by Texas Homesteader~ 

Food waste – it’s everywhere! From culls in the grower’s field due to produce that’s the wrong size or shape, to transportation losses, to losses in the grocery store. 

And yes, even once that hard-earned money has been plunked down by the consumer to purchase that food, way too much ends up in the trash. But there are many ways to combat food waste.

For instance, many times edible food is thrown into dumpsters by the ton for fear of litigation if a donation were to unknowingly cause someone to get sick. But did you know there is legal protection for those who donate edible food in good faith?

That and many more food waste reduction ideas are listed on my article written for the Mother Earth News, check it out.

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Apple Pie Made With Home-Canned Apples

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by Texas Homesteader ~  

I make and can homemade apple pie filling. The beauty is that means I can whip up a homemade apple pie in minutes. Unexpected company drops by? Need something to ramp up a plain menu? Just want something sweet? Give this homemade apple pie a try!

HOMEMADE APPLE PIE Made With Home-Canned Apples. Since the apples have already been processed through canning, this dessert is quick! #TexasHomesteader

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Heat-Free Peeling for Fresh Tomatoes

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

I needed a heat-free way to peel fresh garden tomatoes. I already knew that the standard way to peel a fresh garden tomato is to dip it in boiling for a few seconds until the skin splits, then plunge into an ice bath before peeling.

But a typical summer here in NE Texas involves much heat & humidity and I don’t want to add any of that to our home. What’s a southern gardener to do?

HEAT-FREE Peeling For Fresh Tomatoes - I don't want to add heat and humidity to our home. What's a southern gardener to do? Check out this Homestead Hack #TexasHomesteader

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Canning Recipe: Homemade Apple Cider

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by Texas Homesteader
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I made and water-bath canned apple cider and it was delicious. It’s just the byproduct of cooking down the fresh apples from my aunt’s tree. Nothing else was added – no water, juice, sugar or seasonings. Pure, sweet, delicious!

HOMEMADE APPLE CIDER preserved in a water-bath canner. I can enjoy it all winter, steaming hot in a mug and stirred w/a cinnamon stick #TexasHomesteader

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ZUCCHINI Noodles with Leftover Chicken & Herb-Bombs!

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by Texas Homesteader
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This time of year many gardeners that are absolutely sick of zucchini. They’ve already eaten as much steamed zucchini side dishes and made it into every casserole they can think of. They’ve passed much of their zucchini overload on to friends, family and even complete strangers (why can I never run into these gardeners??! LOL) 

I’ve heard about using zucchini for low-carb noodles and I was intrigued. Although RancherMan & I don’t specifically strive to eat low-carb, I do try alternatives when I can find a tasty one and we both love zucchini anyway so…  Check it out!

I've heard about using zucchini for low-carb noodles and I was intrigued. I do try alternatives when I can find a tasty one - check it out! #TexasHomesteader

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