EVERYDAY FOOD STORAGE » General Food Storage Information

Tips Making (Delicious!) Bread Machine Bread for Sandwiches

Crystal — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Everyone knows that a bread machine can be THE TICKET to have bread in a hurry, with no mess, and while you are off having fun. However, if you ate bread machine bread growing up, you probably know that it can be dry, hard to cut with a thick crust, and a mess to make. Well it can be that way or it can be the most DELICIOUS bread you’ve ever eaten and take no time at all to do. Making bread is definitely more nutritious and MUCH, MUCH cheaper then buying the equivalent bread at a super market. If you don’t have a bread machine, check your local second hand store. I know mine had at least 4 today when I went. You can always do a Google search for instructions on a particular machine.

SAVE TIME: Make Bread Mixes! This is the same idea behind making a lot of sandwiches at once. If you make your own bread mixes and store them in the fridge, then it is one mess and takes about 1 minute to make a loaf of bread. Nice, right? (To make a bread mix, combine all dry ingredients from your favorite recipe (except for yeast) in a ziploc bag and store in the refrigerator)

This is a whole loaf.

As you can see it is thinly sliced.

In fact it looks so good (and tastes so great with butter & honey) you could serve it at a brunch!

It also makes the most delicious sandwiches!

My tips for making DELICIOUS homemade bread in your bread machine.

1) Use white wheat (it’s taste is more subtle) and always use the wheat setting (whole wheat needs to rise longer than bleached white flour).

2) Add potato flakes to your bread machine recipe to add the soft texture of a store bought bread. I add 1/2 C. to mine. This is extra great since the cannery just started carrying potato flakes! (This trick has been used since the olden days when women would use the water used from cooking potatoes in their bread to make it soft. )

3) Allow bread to cool in a closed Ziploc bag (or towel) to make the crust soft. Somehow, and I’m not sure of the science behind it, the moisture goes back into the bread and makes the crust VERY soft. My bread doesn’t get moldie or dry out as quickly as before. A softer crust makes the bread much easier to cut. CAUTION: I was told me that before store bought bread a crunchy crust was the way to tell the bread was fresh…so I guess if you like the fresh crunch to your bread continue to air cool.

4) Experiment with Gluten. I add 1 T. of gluten to my bread. Gluten makes the bubbles in your bread strong so that your bread doesn’t sink from the bubbles popping too early.

5) High Altitude dwellers should cut down the amount of yeast called for in the recipe because bread rises faster in high altitude areas and since the bread machine is a timed process it doesn’t know to bake when the dough has doubled in size. For reference, I halfed my yeast from what it called for in my recipe.

5) Make the process easy by filling Ziploc bags with all dry ingredients minus the yeast and placing in your fridge. This way you always have fresh homemade bread ready and waiting to begin for you with no mess!

Just as a side note, I’ve tried using other people’s very delicious whole wheat bread machine recipes in my bread maker and they never turn out (because of the high altitude problem) so don’t be discouraged if this happens to you! Just try to make your bread machine’s recipe to how you like it.

Here are a few of my favorite bread machines!

The Cuisinart Programmable Bread Maker-It does EVERYTHING including quick breads…you know like banana bread, pumpkin bread. VERY COOL!

Zojirushi Breach Machine: This is the Cadillac of bread machines! It actually makes the loaf like a store bought loaf of bread and the baking is unparalleled! My mom has a Zojirushi and when I made my EZ Wheat bread in it, it tasted exactly the same as if I had made it myself the old fashioned way. VERY IMPRESSIVE!

HUGE SUN OVEN SALE!

Don’t forget about the HUGE Global Sun Oven sale going on right now! If you don’t have one-this is the time to get it along with all of the accessories for FREE! Get more information HERE.

2 for 1-Breadsticks OR Pizza in under 30 minutes from ONE easy recipe: Food Storage Recipes

Crystal — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:13:00 +0000

This is my ABSOLUTE favorite recipe and ever since I got it from my sister-in-law we haven’t bought pizza (contrary to what my husband says on the video . The other great thing about making this as pizza is that you can make the crust in the morning and then top it with your toppings in the evening and have dinner ready in under 10 minutes! I love meals you can make most of earlier in the day when life isn’t so busy. It is so easy, makes NO mess (okay well, just a little mess), and is DELICIOUS. Kids love it (especially when you let them pick the toppings and add them to the pizza)! Everytime I make these breadsticks for company it is a HUGE hit and they always ask for the recipe, so who better to share it with than all of you!!

30 Minute Breadsticks OR No-Fail Deep Dish Pizza Crust

(If it is too thick for your family, you can either half the recipe or put one full recipe onto two cookie sheets)

2 1/2 C. Medium Hot Water
5 tsp. SAF Instant Yeast*
2 Tbsp. Sugar
3 Tbsp. Oil
1 tsp. Salt
6 C. Flour (you can do half all-purpose and half white wheat or 100% whole wheat)
1 to 2 Cubes of Butter

Directions:
1. Pour medium hot water in mixing bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top and allow to dissolve.
2. Add sugar, salt, and oil. Gradually add approximately 6 cups of flour.
3. Melt 1-2 cubes butter on cookie sheet in oven as it is heating to 400 degrees and melt in oven. 4. Place dough on cookie sheet and press to fill pan, make sure butter gets on top of the dough.
5. Allow to double in size (About 10-15 minutes)
6. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until desired browning is accomplished.
7. Cut into strips or top with favorite pizza toppings.

* When using regular yeast change amount to 2 Tbsp.

For more tips and tricks for using food storage in your everyday recipes, please visit www.everydayfoodstorage.NET

BIGGEST SUN OVEN SALE OF THE YEAR!

Crystal — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:43:21 +0000

This is the best time to get a Sun Oven! It’s just before the Summer (a great time to experiment with it) and it comes with all of the accessories you need to use your Global Sun Oven to it’s fullest. I bought this a couple of years ago and LOVE it and I give it as gifts. It is a wonderful addition to your emergency preparedness tools since it doesn’t require fuel. It doesn’t even need to be a nice warm day…SUN is all you need!

WANT TO LEARN MORE? TAKE THE SUN OVEN CLASS OR READ MY POSTS ABOUT THE SUN OVEN!

Let Them Eat Cake Month has come to a Close!

Crystal — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:58:52 +0000

Wow, what a month it has been sharing how to use food storage to make delicious cakes! There were so many cakes I experimented with that I didn’t even get a chance to share them all-so make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter if you’d like to learn about a Banana Caramel Cake, Lemon Chiffon, or a Chocolate Chip Cake- YUMM! But just to make sure that you didn’t miss a single recipe- make sure you saw all of the recipes highlighted last month! And make sure you keep checking since I’ll be sharing even MORE mixes to help stock your pantry!

*How-to Video* Chocolate Molten Lava Cake- This cake is deliciously easy and makes it’s own fudge sauce. Think that famous Chili’s cake but really easy and for the masses. This was so good that my Husband finished off the whole pan!

Banana Dream Cake- Okay really, before this cake I was not a huge fan of banana cake but this cake took….well….the cake! It is heavenly with a lot of flavor and definitely one of my new favorites!

Tropical Orange Cake-This was submitted by a reader to see how I’d use food storage in it. It is a very light and fresh cake and perfect for spring-which is just around the corner!

*How-to Video* Strawberry Cupcakes- Learn how to use freeze dried strawberries to make a REAL strawberry cake. None of those artificial flavors or colors! Plus, a super easy decorating tip to make you look like you spent all day when of course you didn’t.

Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes-Somethings need to be revived and the Pineapple Upside Down Cake is one of them! This is hands down one of my most favorite cakes and when served as cupcakes breathes in new life to a classic favorite!

Sour Cream Pound Cake-Another classic to have in your arsenal of cakes. This cake is delicious topped with fruit and a little whipped cream! Also, get my tips for powdered sour cream!

*How-to Video* Whole Wheat Angel Food Cake-Learn how to make this incredible dessert entirely from food storage (including the strawberry and whipped topping!). Also, how to make your own whole wheat cake flour!

Whole Wheat Chocolate Angel Food Cake-Just when you thought Angel Food Cake couldn’t get better, it does! This cake is awesome and yes I really made it all by myself! Get all my easy decorating tips to take your cake to the next level!

*Video* Dark Chocolate Cake AND Mix!-Catch me on Studio 5! This is the cake that made me decide never to buy another cake mix again! It is so rich and almost fudgy. Perfect for any occasion and so easy to dress up for company. A winner no matter how you look at it.

Fudge Brownies AND Mix!-Get the best one bowl for fudge brownies and learn how to make your own mix for this recipe. You’ll never have to buy another mix again!

Yellow Cake AND Mix!- That is right, I’ve got you covered with all of the basic cake mixes and make sure to download my latest handout that will teach you how to make your own mixes plus some of my favorites!

Best Ever Blueberry Muffins AND Mix!- Get the ultimate muffin recipe! Like the kind you can get in a bakery! Plus, how to turn it into the mix that will save your mornings!

DOWNLOAD MY FREE HOW-TO MAKE HOMEMADE MIXES HANDOUT!

It’s my latest and greatest handout (yes, I’ve been up past midnight for the last three nights working on it…so feel free to leave comments on how much you love it!

It includes…

How to make your own homemade cake, brownie, and muffin mixes
How to use beans for butter or oil in your baking
My favorite mixes and one bowl recipes for brownies, muffins, white cake, yellow cake, and chocolate cake
AND…my favorite glazes and frosting recipes to use for cakes (including the glaze I used for the chocolate cake!).

Yeah….it’s pretty much the neatest thing since sliced bread! Make sure and download your copy today! And please feel free to pass it along to others! This is meant to be used AND SHARED!

Help Spread the Word!

I love it when you share my tips and recipes for food storage! Do me a quick favor (and remember it’s my birthday!), if you like what you see please share it on facebook, pinterest, or blog about it! And make sure you link either the word “food storage” or “Everyday Food Storage” back to me. Thanks-it makes all the hard work worth it!

Best-Ever Food Storage Blueberry Muffins Recipes

Crystal — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:23:42 +0000

FEBRUARY IS “LET THEM EAT (FOOD STORAGE) CAKE!” MONTH!

So we’ve talked about a lot of cakes thus far and I’ve shared a lot of tips for food storage like how to use beans for butter and oil and adding whole wheat. Who can forget the super easy Molten Lava Cake, Banana Dream Cake, or the irresistible Tropical Orange Cake. So far all of these cakes have been great after dinner treats but in my husband’s family, they have a saying “Life is short eat dessert first.” So how do you feel good about eating cake during the first meal of the day? Yeah, you you call it a MUFFIN!

So today I’m sharing the BEST muffin recipe ever. They actually rise and rise really well. Like what you would buy from a store! You can tell from the picture that they are moist and have great texture. I also picked up a new trick for using freeze dried fruit!

BEST FOOD STORAGE MUFFIN RECIPE….EVER!

Best-Ever Food Storage Blueberry Muffins Recipes

Recipe type: Breakfast

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 30 mins

Serves: 12

Start eating dessert first with this wonderful food storage breakfast that combines the best of both worlds-cake and nutrition!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I used half all-purpose and half whole wheat)
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil (or white bean puree)
1 egg (1 T. dry egg powder + 2 T. water)
1/3 cup milk (1 T. dry non-instant milk powder or 2 T. dry instant milk powder + 1/3 C. water)
1 cup fresh blueberries (1 1/4 C. freeze dried blueberries)
TOPPING (optional)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil or bean puree into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. If you are using beans and powders for both milk and water, simply measure your bean puree and fill the rest of the cup with water. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

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CRYSTAL’S TIP FOR FREEZE DRIED FRUIT

Guess what….if you’re going to put freeze dried fruit in something like this-don’t bother trying to hydrate them. They get way too fragile and will stain everything you do purple-in the case of blueberries. Go ahead and just throw them in as they are and they will hydrate in the product and be much easier to stir.

Help Spread the Word!

I love it when you share my tips and recipes for food storage! Do me a quick favor, if you like what you see please share it on facebook, pinterest, or blog about it! And make sure you link either the word “food storage” or “Everyday Food Storage” back to me. Thanks-it makes all the hard work worth it!

Food Storage Valentine’s Sale!

Crystal — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:03:51 +0000

EVERYDAY FOOD STORAGE VALENTINE’S SALE!

Because let’s be honest, there is nothing that says I Love You like being prepared and using food storage, right? I know I’m secretly hoping for a bouquet of FLOURS not flowers. Well if you’ve been secretly hoping to get any of my products-now is the time to hint to your loved one that I’ve got what you want ON SALE!

THE MUST-HAVE GIFT FOR THIS VALENTINES!

Give a gift that really says “I Love You”, BEING PREPARED and LIVING through a crisis! It doesn’t matter who you are or what station of life you are in-everyone should have a Grab and Go binder in case of emergency.

WHAT IS A GRAB AND GO BINDER?

It is an indispensable guide to your life should you ever go through an emergency. As you can imagine, in times of emergency it can be hard to think through the logistics of everything you’ll need or need to do, so think of this binder as your brain for that-it will remember everything for you and guide you through what you will need to do. There are two important things you’ll need to remember about a grab and go binder, 1) this will have very sensitive information specific to you and your family so you’ll want to make sure you keep it in a secure place out of sight and 2) make sure you grab it if you have to evacuate your house-this will have all of your important documentation, phone numbers, and contacts to survive and recover.

WHAT TYPES OF EMERGENCIES DOES THIS BINDER COVER?

• Evacuation/Natural Disaster
• Death of a Loved One
• Stolen/Missing Wallet
• Missing Person (covers more than just an abduction-think about it, most likely in an emergency your whole family won’t be sitting at home together and you’ll need to find each other)
• Basic CPR Instructions
• Basic Instructions for Turning of Water, Gas, and Electricity
• FEMA Instructions for creating a Family Emergency Plan

HOW DOES IT WORK?

This is a DOWNLOAD because this is an editable PDF file which means you can fill in the needed information right from your computer and print your final product OR you can print it and hand write in the information. Each page will guide you through what to fill out and which forms you’ll want to have copies (if not originals) of, pictures, etc. You’ll want to put the finished pages in page protectors and organize it into a binder that can be stored in a safe place and accessible in times of emergency. You may want to have copies of this binder at more places than just your home (NOTE: You will not need to buy additional copies for this.)

BUY NOW DURING THE BIG VALENTINE’S SALE!

…For only $7 and you’ll get the rights to give this to TWO of your friends or family for FREE. (And of course, you’ll be entered to win a FREE copy of Michael Buble’s NEW Christmas cd) Please note: You will receive ONE link but you will have permission to send that link to two additional people or to download the binder and send it to two additional people.

Food Storage Chocolate Molten Cake Recipe

Crystal — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:39:21 +0000

FEBRUARY IS “LET THEM EAT (FOOD STORAGE) CAKE!” MONTH!

Yeah, you heard me right. Isn’t that so exciting? It’s sort of reminiscent of the Great Food Storage Cookie Extravaganza (download that food storage handout if you missed it) Why am I doing this? Well, let’s be honest we all eat cake now and wouldn’t you like to know how to do it healthier, for less money, and with your food storage? Let’s be honest, if and when it all hits the fan-comfort food will still be necessary! And, I think we’ve all been over come with boring old cake mixes. There are GREAT cake recipes out there that will dazzle your taste buds and amaze you with their simplicity!….Enter Chocolate Molten Cake…

Have any of you eaten at Chili’s and had their chocolate molten cake? It’s so delicious and is all the rage to make at home. I’ve seen a lot of recipes all involving special little bundt pans for individual cakes and a lot of time and effort. Well this recipe that I’m going to share with you was big in the 50′s and tastes JUST LIKE Chili’s Chocolate Molten Cake but you can make it in one 8×8 cake pan, use your food storage, and make it in the same amount of time it would take you to whip up a cake mix. You may have heard it under names like Magic Cake, Pudding Cake, Hot Fudge Cake, or Surprise Cake. Why? Because it is really magic, it makes it’s own sauce or pudding if you will-so of course this is a great cake to serve warm with ice cream. Honestly, my husband ate half the cake (and that is saying a lot for him!)

Food Storage Chocolate Molten Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour (1/2 C. whole wheat flour + 1/2 C. All-purpouse flour)
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons baking cocoa, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup 2% milk (3 T. dry non-instant powder milk or 1/3 C. instant powder milk + 1/2 C. water)
2 tablespoons canola oil (2 T. bean puree)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup packed brown sugar
1-3/4 cups hot water
Whipped cream or ice cream, optional

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir in the milk, oil and vanilla until smooth.

Spread in an ungreased 9-in. square baking pan. Combine brown sugar and remaining cocoa; sprinkle over batter. Pour hot water over all; do not stir.

Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes. Serve warm. Top with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.

Crystal’s Tip: If you’re using a glass pan, decrease your cooking temperature to 325. Why? Glass bakes hotter than metal and you won’t get that burnt chocolate taste.

Help Spread the Word!

Sun Oven Dehydrator Pack AND Studio 5

Crystal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:08:25 +0000

Okay, I had a lot of people asking how they could purchase JUST the dehydrator racks for their Sun Oven. So I looked into this and discovered that you can! It’s $44 dollars (that INCLUDES shipping) for the three racks that instantly turn your Sun Oven into a well functioning solar dehydrator. If you’d like to order yourself a set, CLICK HERE.

And…in case you didn’t get to catch my latest food storage showing on Studio 5-you can catch it below. I ventured into the world of chocolate meringues and discovered a great way to make them look (and taste) even more delicious! Food storage and gourmet collide once again. Think of them as fudge chocolate meringues. They are crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, gluten-free, fat-free, and about 10 calories a pop. Now we’re talking! To view the food storage video, click HERE.

If you’re wondering where to get powdered egg whites, currently you can get them from Honeyville Grains.

Sun Oven Leap Year BONUS!

Crystal — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:30:41 +0000

Extra Day Extra Deal! Free Multi-Level Dehydrating & Baking Rack Set with each GLOBAL SUNOVEN you order during February 2012. What does this mean? It means you can dehydrate your own food storage with the same oven that can help you cook with no power-two machines all rolled into one! This is honestly, one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a long time.

Multi-Level Dehydrating & Baking Rack for Sun Oven

A simple, effective way to use a GLOBAL SUN OVEN to dry and dehydrate with the power of the sun. Easily stackable wire racks allow up to 3 layers of drying or dehydrating. Can be used for baking 3 layers of cookies, tarts, breadsticks, cinnamon rolls, flat bread, pizzas, or fish. (Alright, this is awesome just for baking cookies and cinnamon rolls, let alone dehydrating too!)

Comes with a set of 3 stackable racks and one roll of unbleached, silicone coated parchment baking paper.

Want to learn more about Sun Ovens-what they are, how to use them, or to take the mini Sun Oven class, click HERE for all of my Sun Oven information!

Hurry and take advantage of this amazing Sun Oven deal!

EZ Wheat Bread Nutritional Analysis

Crystal — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:51:00 +0000

January Q&A continues! This may be my most commonly asked food storage question yet-What is the nutritional analysis of the EZ Wheat Bread recipe? Well, after trying to check a lot of calorie counters online-none of which would give me extra brownies points for whole wheat flour (because we all know whole wheat flour is not the same as all-purpose flour). I had a registered dietitian look it over and do all the math. So here it goes (this is based on 17 slices per loaf-so obviously if you cut them thinner or thicker it will be different.)

Calories: 103
Fat: 1g
Protein: 4g
Fiber: .8g
Carbs: 19.5g
Sugar: 3g

In her words: This bread is inline for an “average” store bought sandwich bread. Other good points are that it is Low in saturated fat, Very low in cholesterol, High in selenium, and High in thiamin.

To see if she was correct I compared the nutritional data to Grandma Sycamore’s white bread (which I think is a close comparison to same texture, density, etc.) and it is very similar (calorie and fat wise).

Next we’ll tackle the cost analysis of the EZ wheat bread! Stay tuned!