Make A Fermenting Jar and Fermented Carrots

Our first carrot harvest was approximately two pounds. Two pounds of home-grown organic carrots! I've been waiting what seems like forever for them so I could try fermenting them.

I've read a lot on fermenting vegetables and looked at several recipes.

Here is how I made mine:

I ran my jar through the dishwasher, then poured boiling water in the jar and let it overflow, let it sit for about 5 minutes, then dumped this water out.
I washed and sliced my carrots of course and placed them in my jars just to the shoulder of the jar.
I then added 1 tsp of dried dill, 4 garlic cloves (I didnt have any fresh garlic, so I used some hot pickled garlic I had on hand.) and 2 tsp of coarse sea salt. I then filled the jar up with distilled water. From everything I read, you cannot use tap water because the chlorine will kill the fermenting.

Boy wonder made the smaller jar and made his spicy adding a tsp of cayenne.

Then you put the lid on and sit them on the counter for 3-10 days.

After 24 hours, both jars were bubbling! I can't wait to taste them.

ABOUT THE JAR:

I had looked at fermenting crocks and the price was way out of my budget!

I then looked at fermenting jars. The price of them wasn't much better. So I got to looking at the pictures of these jars and decided to make my own. I only needed two things other than the jars, which I already had.

I ordered 3 Piece Plastic Airlock (Sold in sets of 3). Three of them for $5.56, not bad. These let out the gas without letting air in which is supposed to give a closed anaerobic ferment, which helps keep the growth of mold down.

Then I picked up a package of grommets for $2.99 from Westlake Hardware. My total cost was right at $9 and made 3 jars. I have since read that the metal lids probably won't last long, so when they need to be replaced I will use the plastic Ball lids.

I'm hoping to buy some organic green beans at one of the farmers markets and make some dilly beans. I've read that there are many health benefits from probiotic foods, so I'll be having some fun fermenting and adding different veggies to my family's diet.

Have any of you tried fermenting food?

This post is linked up to:

Homemade Blender Moisturizing Soap

I made another batch of soap last week. It's on the soap rack curing and I can't wait to try this one. It looks so creamy! Smells good too, even though there are no scents added.

Moisturizing Blender Soap

3 ounces Coconut Oil

5 ounces Olive Oil

7 ounces Soybean (Vegetable) Oil

1 ounce Castor Oil

2.23 oz lye
5.28 water (always use distilled)

2% Superfatted

The lye calculator I use can be found here: Bramble Berry Lye Calculator

Homemade Dill Dressing

How is your dill growing?

Here is a quick & easy dressing for salads or try drizzling over those home grown tomatoes! Yum!

1 cup real mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
1 teaspoon dried crushed dill weed
1/2 teaspoon minced onion
Ground pepper to taste
1-2 tablespoons milk to thin to desired consistency.

Stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice or vinegar, dill weed, onion, and pepper to well blended. Thin with milk to desired consistency. Cover and chill.

Serve over lettuce wedges or tomatoes.

For a healthier version use plain yogurt (drained) instead of the mayonnaise.

Make your own Clorox Anywhere Spray

I posted some recipes for making your own household cleaners about a month ago such as window cleaner, floor cleaner and furniture polish. If you missed that post, you can check it out HERE.

Amy over at Cutting Coupons in KC told me about a recipe for Clorox Anywhere Spray that Michelle from Money Saving Madness had posted. I love this stuff! It’s so easy and CHEAP!

Here’s Michelle’s recipe, and be sure to visit both Amy and Michelle’s blogs. They have wonderful ideas and tips to share.

This product is no secret recipe. It is 99.9% WATER! ~and costs $3.29 or more per bottle. You can make your own with this easy Clorox Anywhere Recipe:
~~~~
22 oz. Empty Spray Bottle
1 1/2 teaspoons bleach
22 oz. of Water
Add bleach and fill with water, shake to mix.
~~~~
It's that easy and you'll save so much money never having to buy this product again!

Recession Buster Blasts # 13-Make Your Own Miracle Whip

1 egg (plus enough water to make 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup cooking oil
1/2 tsp dry mustard or 1 Tblsp prepared mustard
2/3 cup white sugar
2 tsp salt
1 Tblsp lemon juice

Beat very well in a bowl.
In 1 quart heavy saucepan add: 1/3 cup Clear Jell, stir in 1/2 cup vinegar until smooth. Then add 1 1/4 cup hot water. Bring to boil.
Blend into other ingredients in bowl. Beat hard until smooth.
Refrigerate.

Amish Cookin
Chrissie N. Gingerich

Recession Buster Blasts #11-Make Your Own Green Window Cleaner

I've had two cleaning jobs in the last 20 years. One was for a company cleaning homes and was for a motel. At both places you use TONS of window cleaner. Both employers had us "maids" mix our own window/mirror cleaner every morning.

Here's the "commercial" formula they both used.

1/4 cup Rubbing Alcohol
1/2 cup Vinegar
1 1/4 cups water

Place in a 16 oz spray bottle.
For streak free mirrors and windows, use newspapers to wipe.

So if commercial places use this to save money, who am I to disagree. I also use it in my home. I like that the smell doesnt bother me like Windex does.

Do you have a tip for streak free windows and mirrors? I would love to hear them.

Recession Buster Blasts #10-Never Buy Dishwasher Detergent Again!

Make your own homemade dishwasher detergent. It's quick. It's easy. And it's cheap! For each load, mix 2 tablespoons baking soda with 2 tablespoons borax. Place in main wash cup as like always.

ETA: I've found that as long as I add vinegar to the rinse dispenser or a regular rinse agent, this cleans my dishes wonderfully.

Recession Buster Blasts #7-Homemade Bacon & Onion Dressing/Dip

Dips and Dressings are easy and fun to make yourself but expensive to buy in the stores and loaded with preservatives.

1/2 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons Oscar Mayer real bacon bits
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise until smooth and creamy. Add buttermilk and whisk until creamy. Add remaining ingredients and whisk until blended.

Cover and chill for 1 hour for flavors to meld.

Yields approx. 1 cup

Serve over a lettuce wedge, mixed greens or try my favorite... over sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. It's also great for dipping raw veggies.

Recession Buster Blasts #5-Save Those Cereal Bags!

1. Use a rubber band to secure them over bowls for storing food in the fridge.

2. Use a rubber band to secure them over bowls for when you’re reheating food in the microwave.

3. Use the cereal bags to shake & coat chicken or pork chops.

4. Use to crush nuts, crackers, and other snack foods using a #10 vegetable can or if you have a rolling pin.

5. Drop homemade chocolate candies and pretzels on to harden and cool.

6. Drop no-bake cookies on to set up and cool.

7. Place sandwiches or other foods in the bag to pack your lunch instead of using sandwich bags.

8. Use two bags to roll out pie dough. One on top and one on bottom. Sprinkle lightly with flour.

9. Use one to roll out cookie dough on top of.

10. Use in between hamburgers to separate when freezing.

11. Use to crush hard candies such as candy canes with your rolling pin or hammer.

12. Use to divide layers of fudge, cookies and candies.

When we finish a bag of cereal, I take out the liner, dump the crumbs, fold the bag and place in an empty Ziploc bag box to store in a drawer with my other wraps and bags.

Do you have any uses for cereal bags to share in comments? I would love to hear them.

Recession Buster Blasts #2: Make Your Own Pam Spray

This faux Pam Spray Pan Release is one great way to use what you have and pinch your pennies. And it's more eco-friendly (no fumes) and frugal with no can to dispose of.

This will not leave burnt on black residue on the edges of your pans either. (I hate that! how about you?) The shelf life is great... it will keep forever in your cupboard.

1/2 cup corn oil or canola oil or vegetable oil
1/2 cup vegetable shortening, room temperature (Crisco shortening is good)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Using an electric mixer beat until mixture has multiplied in volume, and resembles marshmallow cream. yields: 1 1/2 cups

Place in a storage container, and store on the counter, or in a cupboard.
In hot weather, it may be refrigerated, but remember to take it out of the fridge, as it should be room temperature for best results.

The mixture tends to separate slightly upon sitting so mix before using, then brush pans using a pastry brush or a clean paper towel.