Sourdough bread baking tips including benefits of fresh sourdough, Dutch ovens for baking sourdough bread, and more! Few kitchen traditions are as rewarding—or as delicious—as baking your own sourdough bread. What begins as a simple mix of flour, water, and salt evolves into a living, breathing sourdough culture that connects us to centuries of baking history. Sourdough baking is both an art and a science. And it’s gaining renewed popularity among home bakers who crave wholesome, flavorful bread made with time, care, and natural ingredients. A Brief History of Sourdough Sourdough is one of the oldest forms of leavened bread, dating back more than 5,000 years. Ancient Egyptians discovered that when flour and water were left out, wild yeasts and beneficial bacteria naturally fermented the dough. This produced bubbles in the dough and a pleasant tang in the baked bread. For thousands of years, sourdough was the only way to make bread rise. It wasn’t until the 19th century, … [Read more...] about Discover the Joys of Baking Fresh Sourdough Bread
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What Can Chickens Eat?
“What can chickens eat?” is one of the first things to know about raising healthy backyard chickens. Raising chickens in your backyard can be a fulfilling experience, not only for the fresh eggs but also for the joy they bring as pets. Whether you are raising Rhode Island Reds, Lavender Orpingtons, or Leghorns, you need to know what to feed them. That's because one of the key aspects of keeping chickens happy and healthy is offering them a balanced diet. But what exactly can chickens eat? If you're a backyard chicken keeper, this guide is for you. The Basics of What Chickens Can Eat: Commercial Chicken Feed Start with a foundation of commercial chicken feed. This feed is designed to offer a complete and balanced diet, including all essential nutrients for layers or broilers. There are three basic types of chicken feed, based upon the age of the bird. Starter Feed for Chicks Baby chicks need a food with a higher protein content for growth. These starter feeds provide … [Read more...] about What Can Chickens Eat?
Sell Vegetables at a Farmers’ Market
Have you wondered how to sell vegetables at a farmers’ market? If you are an avid gardener or have a homestead, you may have considered turning your hobby into a business. There is an increased focus on locally produced goods. Plus, more consumers want to support small businesses and growers. That’s why there is no better time to turn your hobby into a money-making venture! If you are looking to sell vegetables at a farmers’ market, here’s what you need to know. What is a Farmers’ Market? A farmers’ market is a place where farmers and other food producers sell their products directly to customers. Consumer interest in buying fresh local food has seen a spike since the pandemic. So, farmers’ markets have been important tools for reducing food insecurity over the past 15 years. No matter where you are based, you are sure to find a farmer’s market close by where you can sell your produce. Sell Vegetables at a Farmers' Market (and Other Items, Too!) When it comes to … [Read more...] about Sell Vegetables at a Farmers’ Market
Easy Canning Recipes for Beginners
Here are three easy canning recipes for beginners. These recipes are from my late friend Antoinette Jucha, a Penn State Master Canner. Canning is a great way to preserve the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables from your summer garden. These easy canning recipes are also a great way to make lots of easy and delicious foods for eating throughout the year! If you have never canned before, you might want to read my Water Bath Canning For Beginners story before you try canning one of these recipes. Included in this story are links to canning supplies on Amazon. Home Garden and Homestead receives a small commission (at no cost to you) for the sales we generate. Thank you for supporting this website! Easy Canning Recipes for Beginners #1 BERRY ICE CREAM TOPPING Is there anything as wonderful as fresh berries served over ice cream? I don’t think so. But freshly canned berries served over ice cream—eaten in the fall and winter—is also wonderful. Ingredients 2 ½ pints … [Read more...] about Easy Canning Recipes for Beginners
How to Make Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of the most popular and useful plants grown in the garden. Many gardeners ask me how to make lavender essential oil, which can be used in so many ways. But there are so many wonderful uses for homegrown lavender. In this story, I will give you my recipe for how to make lavender essential oil. I will also give you nine more easy ways to use fresh homegrown lavender. These range from culinary uses, medicinal remedies, and a wide variety of household uses. Start Here: How to Make Lavender Essential Oil It’s quite easy to make lavender essential oil. For my homemade version, I do this: First, harvest the fresh lavender from the garden. Cut and dry enough lavender to make at least 1 ounce of dried lavender. (To dry, hang the cut flowers upside down in a dry, dark place for 2 to 4 weeks.) When the flowers have dried, put the dried lavender flowers in a clean glass jar. Next, infuse the flowers. Pour coconut oil over the dried lavender in the glass jar … [Read more...] about How to Make Lavender Essential Oil
