What to do during a Pandemic??

 I am one of those immuno-compromised people who pretty much have to "shelter-in-place" during this Covid-19 pandemic.  As with many people in my same circumstances, I live alone (well, I do have 6 cats, 3 dozens, a large flock of chickens and 2 goats!).  

Since I have to stay put, I figured this would be a good time to start learning new things.  YouTube has a massive library of "how-to" videos!!!  Oh my gosh!!!  Plus there are several websites that offer classes for a relatively small monthly fee.  Additionally, I have found several bakeries around the US that offer "virtual" on-line classes, Zingerman's in Michigan has a lot of great virtual on-line classes, most under $85.

Some of my favorite YouTube videos:

Simple Sourdough for Lazy People by Ben Starr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1EBQclnVYU&t=1461s

He also has a video on how to make sourdough starter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_PghQtLZtk&t=7s

Ever want to make Mozzarella cheese?  Lisa and her cat, Yum Yum can show you how:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfl9yl1frCc

Want to make homemade pizza??  Lodge Cast Iron has the perfect recipe!!!

https://www.lodgecastiron.com/recipe/classic-pizza-dough?j=94876&sfmc_sub=25254306&l=116_HTML&u=1201625&mid=110004896&jb=218&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Lodge+Cast+Iron+Newsletter&utm_campaign=skillet_pizza&utm_content=071420_Pizza-Party

Some of the On-line classes I have taken include Udemy and Craftsy, both have excellent classes for small fees.  Well worth the time.

This is just a small sample of what you can find out in the "web."

Enjoy!!!

Homemade Dog Biscuits

My 3 dogs love these!!  And they are so easy to make!  Plus, you most likely have all the ingredients on hand, so no rush to the grocery store.  Since the Governor of Ohio has extended the "Shelter in Place" mandate until May 1, it looks like I am here to stay for a while.  So homemade is going to be pretty much the standard around here (I have a feeling that this is going to last a lot longer than May, the Governor has hinted that this Summer is not looking too good!)  I digress . . .

I found this recipe many, many years ago wandering aimlessly on the Internet.  As I said, this is a favorite of my dogs, even my two picky shih tzus who normally send everything out to the nearest laboratory to have it tested!

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

1 cup milk (I use whole milk)
1/2 cup peanut butter (I use creamy peanut butter)
1 large egg
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350
In a blender or food processor, mix milk and peanut butter until have a smooth liquid.
Blend in the egg.
In a mixing bowl, mix the flour and oats together.
Stir in the wet ingredients (flour and oats) until you have a heavy dough.
Roll out about on a lightly floured surface. 
Cut into your favorite shapes (I found the dog bone shape on eBay).
Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
Let cool and store in a covered container.

Let your puppies enjoy!!

Homemade Pasta

This is my next adventure in  making homemade since Ohio has been placed under a "shelter in place" order by the governor.

Oh my gosh!!  Homemade pasta is so easy.  Depending on the recipe, it only requires two or three ingredients (well, maybe 4), eggs, flour, salt and some recipes call for olive oil.    I used a recipe I found in The Classic Pasta Cookbook by Guilano Hazen.  He also has a class on Bluprint.com.

There are tons of videos on Youtube.com showing how to make pasta.  Go to Google and do a search on homemade pasta, you will find enough links to keep you occupied for days!

As always, homemade is always better than store bought!!

Stay home and learn something new PLUS have fun! But stay safe!

Homemade Yogurt in an Instant Pot

Instant Pots are the latest rage and, in my opinion, the best thing that has come on the market in a long time.  I use mine almost everyday.

Since Ohio Governor DeWine has issued a "Stay at Home" order, I am trying to make as much of my needs as possible.  I love yogurt and eat it several times a day.  So my Instant Pot has become a blessing! 

It is so easy to make yogurt in an Instant Pot, though it won't work if you have an Instant Pot Lux (sorry), you must have a "Yogurt" setting.

I use a half gallon of milk.  I have tried it with both whole and low fat.  And for my yogurt culture, I have used Chobani, Dannon and Stonefield yogurt, either plain or vanilla works.  Just make sure the ingredients say "active cultures."

Pour your milk into the Instant Pot container, secure the lid and press the yogurt button until it reads "boil."  It will beep after about 5 minutes and will display "yogt."  Remove the container (WARNING!! this will be hot!!).  I let this sit for about 15 to 30 minutes to cool the milk down to 110.  Add 2 T of yogurt culture, stir to completely incorporate, put the container back into your Instant Pot.  Press the Yogurt button on your Instant Pot twice so it says "normal" and let it do its thing for 8 hours.

I usually remove this and set the container in my refrigerator overnight - Viola!! you have yogurt.  You can strain this if you want a thicker, greek type yogurt!!

Corona Virus

Scary, isn't this?  So what I am doing about the Corona Virus?  Well, first of all, my Doctor has told me that I need to "self-quarantine."  I have asthma and some other lung issues, so here I sit.  Trust me I have enough to do in the house to keep me occupied for years!

The main thing I am doing is not watching the news.  For some reason, the news programs seem to concentrate on the negative and like to stir up fear.  Yes, it is very scary times, empty shelves in grocery stores, stores closing right and left, can't get your hair done.  I went to Tire Discounters last week to get the oil changed in my car.  Was told I could not wait for it.  No one is allowed in their waiting room. 

How to weather this storm?  Learn something new.  There are so many on-line classes you can take.  MyBluprint.com, has tons of craft and baking classes, Udemy  and Skillshare are other on-line websites with various classes.  Read a book, finally I have time to read books that I have been meaning to read.  Tackle that project that you have been meaning to do for a long time.  I am FINALLY painting my living room which I have been promising myself to do for the last 22 years.  It is actually happening. 

We will get through this. 

FINALLY Goat's Milk Yogurt!!!

I finally found an EASY way to make goat's milk yogurt and you can make it in your Instant Pot!!  My Instant Pot has a "yogurt" button which makes incredibly easy to make yogurt.

Hammock Haven Farm has a video on YouTube which shows you exactly how to make goat's milk yogurt using your Instant Pot.  Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqqIMSWiorI&list=PLvBPLCQaCTLpQ9vfFDcnhSCQTOWnzygYo&index=9&t=2s

The only thing I did different from her is that I refrigerated the yogurt in the Instant Pot container overnight before I strained it.  Not that big of a deal, either way would work.

Using the Siggi's Yogurt is the magic ingredient.  

I found it my local Kroger's.  According to their website, Target and Walmart are supposed to carry it.  I did not find it at my local Walmart and didn't feel like driving over to Target.  

This couldn't be any easier!!!

Enjoy!!

Dijon Mustard Chicken

This is a recipe my Mom used to make and it is super, super easy.  Takes just a few minutes to whip up.

I used chicken thighs because they were on sale at Krogers, but any chicken part would work, breasts, legs or a combination.  I always remove the skins.

Preheat your oven to 375.

Spread generously your favorite Dijon Mustard brand on each piece.  I sprinkle Italian Herb on top of each piece (you can omit this if you like or use a different herb combination - this recipe is very versatile.)

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

That's it!!  Isn't that easy!!!

I had a tossed salad with my dinner but any vegetable would work perfectly with this.

Enjoy!!!