Burrito or Taco filling

Here is a great food storage recipe. I would imagine if you don't have refried beans you could use cooked or canned beans. (Home canned beans would be my choice) 

Can't wait to try the recipe. Thank you Susi!

 

"I have a recipe that I use a lot that contains all cannery items, or items from food storage.

It is a burrito or taco recipe.

It makes a large batch and can be scaled down to fit a smaller family.

 

4-5 cans beef chunks (the size of the cannery cans)

1 jar cannery salsa

2 big handfuls of dehydrated refried beans (from the cannery)

1 handful of dehydrated onions

1 bag (8oz) cheese

 

Add all ingredients in to a pan, including the water from the beef chunks.  It is necessary to have the water so that it can rehydrate the beans and onions.  Let them all simmer till the beans and onions are rehydrated, or till all the liquid is soaked up.  Add the cheese to the mix.  Serve with tomatoes, lettuce and sour cream if desired.

 

Homemade tortilla recipe would work great with this.  

 

This can also be refrigerated and possibly frozen to add more to the food storage."

 

Submitted by: Susi McCabe

 

 

SPRING

Earlier today I was noticing how pretty the blossoms on our peach tree are. I decided to grab my camera and attempt to capture the beauty on film. As I was snapping away, I saw a bee and thought HOORAY! pollination in process. All of this excitement reminded me that spring is here and now is a great time to plant in the garden.

May I make a few suggestions before you run down to the store to "see" what they have.

Plan ahead. Know what you want to plant. Since becoming a Certified Master Gardener, I have found their website a very valuable tool. http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/pubs/press.htm Once you are on click on the right hand side where it says "download free U of A horticulture publications". Have fun with these. My favorite publication is under the Vegetables section. The pub is titled "Vegetable Planting Calendar for Maricopa County".

Start small. If you are new to gardening, keep in mind you don't have to go for the gold this season. I started with a 4x4 raised planter bed and got the bug to garden. I now have 2 4x10 raised beds. You will end up happier if you have a great crop from a small bed versus a failed crop in a too large bed.

If you are unsure ask. We have many people in the ward who are very skilled gardeners. A funny thing about gardeners; most of them love to talk about their experiences. If you have questions ask them in the comment section. If you have answers to these questions reply to them in the comments section. If you would prefer more one on one, call me. I love to talk gardening, and if I don't know the answer, I will get you in contact with someone that does.

Lastly, just have fun. Decades ago the prophet commanded us to plant a garden, this can be one of the most fun commandments to keep. The whole family can be involved, and it can really be quite rewarding.

Happy Gardening!

Home Made Instant Oatmeal Packets

My Daughter loves and I mean LOVES oatmeal. The good news is she prefers home made versus store bought. The down is every morning I get out a pot and make 1 cup of oatmeal. I dislike having to wash a pot for such a small amount of food. I came across this recipe a while ago and decided to try it out today. I am very excited. It was simple took hardly any time, and is far less expensive than what you pay in the store for the same convenience.

This is the same recipe that was on the board several months back.


"To make individual instant packets:

In blender, blend 1/2 cups of oats until powdery.

Into each of the packets (perhaps a zip-lock style sandwich bag) combine the following ingredients:

1/4 Cup unpowdered oats
2 Tbsp powdered oats
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar (optional)

Close the top securely and store in a cool,dry place.

Microwave Directions for cooking:
Empty packet into microwavable bowl. Add 2/3 Cup water or milk. Microwave at HIGH about 1 1/2 minutes. Stir."

I opted to use a smaller food processor instead of my blender. I also left out both the sugar and salt. I don't need the extra sodium, and we add a little brown sugar to sweeten the oatmeal just a bit after it is cooked.

 

  

 One of my top priorities is my families health, but life is busy. Any time I can combine healthy eating and convenience I do it. Try it and let us know what you think. Enjoy!

Self-Reliance

I found this on the church's website. Though it was interesting and a great reminder of the important commandment to become and live self-reliant.

Self-Reliance

Ward Canning Day

This last Saturday was our monthly Ward Canning Day. Congrats to all that were able to participate. We were able to can/bag close to 500 lbs of food!

We do not have a scheduled Ward Canning Day for February, but if you want to request the use of the Mylar bag sealer let any one of us on the committee know. In March we will be having a Ward Canning Night. It is scheduled for the 12th in the evening. More information to come.

If you are one of the lucky few who already have obtained a "year supply" and can share any ideas please do. Recipes, storage ideas, rotating ideas, all are useful.

Home Made Tortillas

I first started making my own tortillas almost 2 years ago. It all started with a thought "If I ever have to live off my food storage alone, where would I get tortillas?"  It has since evolved and I do it now for many more reasons. Mostly store bought tortillas are too dry! Plus this is a far more healthy option for my family.

I will share with you a great recipe that my sister in law gave me. I am pretty sure she did not author it, and would love to give credit where it is due, but am just not sure who it is due to. One thing I really like about this recipe is that it doesn't call for lard or shortening. I don't use lard nor store shortening so this is a perfect recipe for me.

I have always used the food processor method for mixing until last night. I ventured out a bit and mixed by hand. I was honestly surprised at how easy and quick it actually was.

Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas

1 Cup unbleached or all-purpose flour
1 Cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 Cup canola or vegetable oil (I use extra virgin olive oil)
2/3 Cup warm water

For hand mixing:

Rub flour, salt and oil together with your fingers untill completley incorporated and fine crumbs form.

 

 Pour water into dry ingredients and immediately work it in with a fork. Dough will be in large clumps. Sprinkle with flour and knead until smooth.

 

Food mixer:

Place flour and salt in bowl of food processor. Add oil and process for about 3 seconds. With machine running, pour water through feed tube in a steady stream. Let machine run until dough forms a ball. Continue to run machine another 4-6 minutes to get the dough extra smooth.

For either mixing methods:

Allow dough to rest in a bowl, covered, for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Roll out or press tortillas as flat as you would like. (I do them really thin. As thin as I can without them becoming see through)  Brown in frying pan on medium-high heat for about 15-20 seconds per side. Place hot tortilla on towel and cover with another towel. (I don't do this) After each tortilla is placed in the towel, lightly spray with a water bottle to keep tortillas moist. (Or this) Makes 8-10 medium sized tortillas. (I usually get closer to eight fit in my pan size)"

I haven't mastered the circle tortilla yet, but you should have seen my first batches! Now is the time to practice.

Try it out and let us know what you think.

Stake Canning Day January 2010

Today was Stake Canning Day.

We had the opportunity to can Dry Milk, Oats, Macaroni, Dried Carrots, and Dried Apples. Yea for those who were able to make it and take advantage of the facilities we are blessed to have located so near to where we live.

Next months Stake Canning Day is February 25th. The sign up sheet is available outside of the Relief Society Room every Sunday. If you are not able to sign up and still want to participate please contact someone on the Committee. The last day to order for February is the 7th.

Items available for next month include: Black Beans, White Sugar, Fruit Drink Mix, White Beans, and Potato Flakes.

Remember the Mesa Home Storage Center (Cannery) does sell prepackaged boxes of six cans in the following items. Rice, Quick Oats, Pinto Beans, and Red Wheat. These do not need to be pre-ordered and are available for purchase anytime the Cannery is open.