Product review Provident Pantry Products

As many long time readers of my blog may remember that about a year ago I started prepping for emergencies.   I wanted to let everyone know what I think of 3 products that I have bought and tried.

First and second are the Provident Pantry Beef and Chicken gravy mixes.  The reason I bought them was frankly my gravies need help.  I tried the Beef first and it turned out so well.  I made beef and noodles with it.  Wonderful flavor and texture (ie no lumps),  the second the chicken gravy did not turn out so well.  The flavor was ok but very salty.  But the problem I had “flow” the Chicken was not.  It did not firm up to good gravy.  I even tried it a second time double checking my measurements.

Product 3 is the Provident Pantry TVP Bacon bites.  This one made me feel so stupid TVP bacon bits.  Now I admit that I had no idea what Textured Vegetable Protein was but it was bacon!!!  Greg and I love our bacon.  Well imagine my surprise when I opened the package and saw what we call Bacos.  Yep those things you see on the grocery shelf to use for salads.   Once I got over the shock and the laughing they are ok, I am using them in my salads.  I did use some the other day in Wilted Lettuce (also called Sweet & Sour lettuce).  I didn’t have the real bacon so I heated up some bacon grease, added the TVP to gather some bacon flavor and made the dressing.  It turned out pretty well I will do that again most likely for dinner tonight.

Now I buy my products from Emergency Essentials; www.beprepared.com.  Or even easier look to the upper right see their button?  Takes you right there.  I get nothing from this promoting and there are other companies that you can buy the same products from.  I just happen to like Emergency Essentials.  Very easy website, great people on the phone and great workers in the shipping department.

I’ll use future blog entries to share what all I have stored for emergencies.

Thank you for reading and may you remain blessed, Laura

The circus is in town!!! The circus is in town!!!!

Ok I love the Ringling bro, Barnum & Bailey circus.  I saw the elephants walk from the train to the arena in Florida 20 years ago - I fell in love.  Well it happened again yesterday.

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First 2 pictures are of the surrounding streets full of Big Top equipment.  The third is the Jurassic Park style gates that lead to the intersactum of the Arena.  I realized last night that my camera is old and really needs to be replaced.  None of my nighttime pictures turned out.  But the local news station was there and did post a quick bit about the circus.  Yes you have to watch 2other stories but they are quick.http://www.13abc.com/video

I have to work all 3 days of the weekend so I will not be attending the circus this year.

Thank you for reading and may you be blessed, Laura

Recipe review

From Culinary Arts Institute Encyclopedic Cookbook
Revised 1962 edition
Yep another one of my Mothers cookbook

Jambalaya
1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
1 cup cooked rice
1 1/2 cups cooked tomatoes (and yes I used some of my home canned ones)
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, diced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
buttered crumbs

Combine chicken, rice and tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
Add everything else.
Turn into a baking pan and cover with bread crumbs
Bake in 350 oven for 1 hour.
Serve

Well I did not use the bread crumbs the extra calories were not needed.  But this did turn out well except that I needed some Franks hot sauce.  Very good sorry no picture I forgot to take one.

Thanks for reading and may you be blessed, Laura

Sad end of the garden

I really dislike this time of the year.  The end of the garden.  Check the pictures how sad is all that empty space?  Everything should be out by the end of this coming week.  12 heads of cabbage will be sauerkraut, coleslaw and some cabbage rolls for Greg.  the collard greens will get processed with the Turnips, Kale and spinach that is hiding in the refrigerator.  The Crowder beans are about done just letting the remaining ones finish drying out.  I am trying to save the last 3 Hungarian pepper plants (that is what is in the greenhouse).  They still had flowers on them so hopefully I can get more peppers for Hungarian pepper mustard.

new recipe White bean & sausage stew

Can I just mention first that I am so happy that it is cold again.  This summer I realized that I am happier eating and cooking soups and stews.  Here is a great one.

White Bean & Sausage Stew

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 4 hours 30 min

Serves 4

Cost: $2.14

6 3 oz Italian sausage links (I used sweet sausage)

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, sliced

1 clove garlic, chopped

2 – 15 oz cans white beans (Great Northern or navy), drained and rinsed

1 28oz canned tomatoes, chopped

1 Tbsp fresh Thyme or 1 tsp dried

salt and pepper to taste

Poke sausages and place in a nonstick skillet.  Add ¼ cup water, bring to boil.  Lower heat and cook sausages turning, until lightly brown and water has evaporated.  Transfer to plate.  To skillet add oil, onions and garlic.  Stir often about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and beans and thyme.

Put half of skillet mixture into crock pot.  Place sausages on top and cover with remaining skillet mixture.  Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.  Check and add water, if necessary, cook for 2 more hours.

Remove sausages and slice thick.  Put back in cooker for another 20 minutes.

Serve

Summer activities

One of our stores, Gordon's Food service, had a few specials that drew me in.  15 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts for $15.99, 2 1/2 dozen eggs for $2.99, and a 3 pound package of bacon was $7.99.  The eggs are in the refrigerator and the bacon is also in there waiting until I can preserve it next week.  the chicken was canned that same day.  We ended up with 6 pints of chunks, 4 cups are in the freezer waiting so I can can them next week and 2 were used for dinner that night.

What 15 pounds of chicken breasts look like all cut up

The bag

The things are huge!!!  We could easily eat one half for a meal.

Next week Greg & I are going to reorganize the canning pantry.  I'll then post the total of what was canned this summer and I'll show off the pantry that Greg & my Dad built for me.

Thanks for reading and may you be blessed.  Laura