Cheese and Crackers

Today we are going to make homemade crackers and taste cheese from the Dairy Maids.

HOMEMADE CRACKERS

2 cups flour
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
egg wash - one egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water
Toppings of your choice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder.  Mix to combine the dry ingredients.
Add the olive oil and the water, and mix until a ball of dough has been formed. No need to knead--just mix until the ingredients are incorporated.
Divide the dough in half.  Roll out the dough directly on two ungreased cookie sheets.  
Once the dough is rolled thin, brush the egg wash over the surface of the crackers, and sprinkle with the toppings of your choice. Sea salt and fresh rosemary, or Parmesan cheese, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic salt -- really, just about an...

Yogurt and Yogurt Cheese

Yogurt is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat and it is so easy to make at home! No special equipment is required.

Yogurt Without a Yogurt Makera
blespoon plain
1 saucepan
1 large bowl
1 small bowl
1 tablespoon yogurt starter or plain yogurt
1 quart whole milk

Yield: 8 Servings (4 ounces each)

Warm up milk on medium-low until bubbles appear around the edge and steam rises from the surface.
Pour into large bowl to cool until temperature hits 110-115º on thermometer or if you don’t have one, do what the locals do: the temperature is correct when your index finger can stay in the warm milk for ten seconds.
Put starter in small bowl, add some of the heated milk and stir until well-blended. Pour small bowl mixture into large bowl a third at a time, making sure to stir and blend well before each addition.
End with a final stir, making sure all is well-blended.
Cover with a t...

Compound Butters

These recipes were loosely adapted from sisterspicekitchen.com.

ORANGE HONEY BUTTER

2 sticks unsalted butter (if you use salted butter, omit salt)
zest of a medium orange
1 tablespoon juice from the orange
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
 
Ways to enjoy:
Spread over:
• Biscuits
• Pancakes
• French toast
• Cornbread
Melt over:
• Fish filets, including halibut, sea bass, salmon
• Grilled, roasted or pan-seared pork chops
• Grilled chicken breasts
• Roasted chicken
• Steamed asparagus

CHIVE BUTTER

2 sticks unsalted butter (if you use salted butter, omit salt)
1 package fresh chives minced, about 3 tablespoons
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
 
Ways to enjoy:
Spread over:
• Hot corn on the...

Water Bath Canning

Water bath canning is the easiest form of canning. Anyone can do it.

Very few supplies are needed. You just need....

A deep pot with a lid
canning jars with lids and rings
something to lift them from the pot

There are fancy water bath canners, plain water bath canners, and even electric water bath canners. I have or have had all of the above at one time. The equipment you need depends on how many jars you will can at a time. Unless you have a garden or can buy/forage for fruit in large amounts, you don't need a designated water bath canner. Just a big stock pot will do.

I am going to show you the different pieces of equipment that I have and you can see the variety. I have heard people say they find this kind of stuff at thrift stores and garage sales, so keep your eyes out. Of course, you can buy them online, at most hardware stores, and some stores like Walmart.

What can be water bath canned? Most fruits, pickled fruits and vegetab...