Self Sufficiency
How To Bake Without Oven And Microwave | My Homesteading Secret…

Did you know it’s possible to bake without oven and microwave? Shocking, yes, but this old-school secret is actually still practiced today in different parts of the world. Let me let you in on this little secret… Wherever you find yourself and whether you’re left without an oven and a microwave, you can still enjoy your favorite baked dishes. You can step away from the comfort of your kitchen oven and discover the wonders of baking…in a totally different kind of way! Discover the secret as you read along!
Learn How to Bake Without Oven and Microwave Anywhere!
Baking in Dutch Ovens
There you have it! My little cooking secret: to bake without oven and microwave is to bake in a Dutch oven.
A Dutch oven is one of the most versatile cooking implements you’ll ever use. It is made of very heavy and sturdy cast iron, and if used according to instructions, it can provide the controlled temperature needed for cooking. It is, therefore, perfect for outdoor use in a campfire or your backyard grill.
This may or may not come as a surprise, but baking in a Dutch oven does not demand an open fire. You can use charcoal briquets or wood to keep your fire low and regulated.
Once you’ve got the fire burning, create and maintain the temperature you need for your food. If you’re using charcoal briquets, you can estimate 10 degrees per briquet. For example, if you need to achieve 360 degrees, use 36 charcoal briquets.
It is also important to take note that you may have to replace some of the charcoal or wood partway through the baking process as they cool down or burn out. Keep a stack of charcoal or wood ready when doing campfire baking.
You can also learn more about The Art of Cooking in a Dutch Oven here!
Dutch Oven-Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Step 1. Saute Onion and Make a Roux
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven then add diced onion and sautee. Add two more tablespoons of butter and flour and stir into a light roux. Add half a teaspoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of dry mustard.
Step 2. Add Milk and Cheese
Beat two eggs and add two cups of milk until thick and frothy. Add in five cups of grated cheddar cheese, stirring until melted.
Step 3. Add Cooked Macaroni
Now, stir in a pound of your cooked macaroni (cooked according to package instructions), then sprinkle a cup or more of grated cheese on top.
Step 4. Bake Mac and Cheese in a Dutch Oven
Cook your baked mac outdoors on 24 charcoal briquettes: nine underneath and 15 on top of your Dutch oven. You can add more depending on the temperature of your area. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350º.
Might as well try these other equally delicious Dutch oven recipes for cooking outdoors!
Baking in Stovetops
Who knew you could actually bake using a stovetop? There are a couple of things to make sure of before planning to try out your first stovetop marble cake.
First, make sure that the lid of the pot you’re going to use fits perfectly, to maintain an even temperature.
Second, pre-heating your stovetop pot is a must. Just like pre-heating an oven before baking, turn the heat on high over your covered pot for 5 minutes.
Simple and Quick Stove Top Bread Recipe
Step 1. Mix Ingredients
Mix one and a half cups of flour and half a teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and salt mixture and pour half a cup plus 2 tablespoons of warm water. Sprinkle half a teaspoon of yeast into the water and add a tablespoon of sugar. Mix all ingredients well.
Step 2. Prepare the Dough
Slowly add more water if needed, adding one spoonful at a time. Using your hands, mix the ingredients well to make a smooth dough. Add in 1 tablespoon of butter or as needed and continue mixing the dough. Knead the dough on your kitchen countertop until you get a smooth and soft chunk of dough.
Step 3. Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough back into the bowl, then grease it with melted butter. Cover the bowl and let your dough stand for two hours. After two hours, you’ll find your dough has risen and doubled in size. Knead the dough gently into a round shape.
Step 4. Prepare Cooking Materials
Take a 12 ” cast iron skillet and grease it with butter or any oil. Place the dough on the greased cast iron skillet then cover it for another 15 to 20 minutes. Take the lid of your pan and wrap it in a square cloth by tying the corners of the cloth to each corner across. This will help prevent the moisture from falling on the dough.
Step 5. Bake Bread on Stove Top
Take a kitchen knife and make a cross on top of the dough. Cover the cast iron with the wrapped lid and cook it over low flame. After 10 minutes, flip the dough to the other side and cook for another 5 minutes. Take the baked bread out of the pan and let it cool in a rack.
Wasn’t that simple and easy? Now you can bake homemade bread even without an oven or a microwave!
Take this easy pizza recipe in this video from HealthyFoods and learn how to bake without oven and microwave:
To a true-blue homesteader, “if there’s a will, there’s a way” applies perfectly. So there’s no food? They’ll make food. There’s no oven? They’ll bake anyway. Good thing you now know you can do that without an oven or microwave. With a Dutch oven and a stovetop, you can bake cake and cookies, or bake mac and cheese anywhere you find yourself without the luxury of an oven. Learn how to bake without oven and microwave and enjoy your favorite baked goodies even in the toughest situations!
Will you try to bake without oven and microwave? Do you have any dishes in mind to bake and make in a Dutch oven? Let us know below in the comments section!
Up Next: Cooking With Your Cast Iron Skillet | Everything You Need To Know
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 16, 2015, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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Self Sufficiency
NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls

New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll Tuesday, bringing coronavirus-related deaths in the city to around 10,000 people.
The city decided to add 3,700 people to its death tolls, who they “presumed” to have died from the virus, according to a report from The New York Times. The additions increased the death toll in the U.S. by 17%, according to the Times report, and included people who were suffering from symptoms of the virus, such as intense coughing and a fever.
The report stated that Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided over the weekend to change the way the city is counting deaths.
“In the heat of battle, our primary focus has been on saving lives,” de Blasio press secretary Freddi Goldstein told the Times.“As soon as the issue was raised, the mayor immediately moved to release the data.”
The post New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll appeared first on Daily Caller
This Article Was Originally Posted On dailycaller.com Read the Original Article here
Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
RELATED: How To Make Buttermilk On Your Homestead
Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
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In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
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