Both of these things I'm looking forward to learning more about. I cook a lot from scratch but not completly. So I have been searching out things and learning more. I know its not really that tough just need to take the steps in order to save money.

So if anyone has any cookbook suggestions for me to look at let me know. I've had some Amish ones suggested to me and am in the process of finding those.

As for the canning, well I need to get all the stuff for it and do that this summer and any other time I need, to make meals in a jar and such. I'm looking forward to that. Pretty much learning to make homemade foods convenient instead of buying things.

I'm also looking for canning book suggestions. Unfortunatly at this time I can't go out and buy a bunch of things as my dh's job ends this week and we aren't sure where he's going from here yet. He's made calls, put in applications and all that stuff, just praying and waiting.

Anyway if you have any suggestions on books feel free to let me know as I'm learning.

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Posted by wstoller

The blue ball canning book - is an economical and great source for canning, plus general web searches - call your local extension office for specific requests if you don't have a woman you can ask. If you have someone that can show you - that's by far the best way to learn.

As for cookbooks - find an old betty crocker cookbook - amazon or used book store or good will. check out your local goodwill - generally cookbooks there. I actually fair best - find old Taste of Home's magazines (goodwill, garage sales) and do searches online for basic foods. We eat fairly basic and with our pantry stock - in Feb I came in under $100 on grocery. Watch for sales (i.e. $.79/lb chicken - buy a few) - throw one in the crockpot with season salt - some water, potatoes, and carrots. this makes an "easy" convenient - economical meal. Used the leftover chicken to make enchiladas - with homemade tortillas. Make your own bread, - use rice as a belly filler - a big pot is cheap and supplements even a small portion of expensive meat - Fry up meat and then half it - and place in freezer - supplement with beans to make the meat go farther, lentils also make a good meat extender,
etc etc. I highly recommend checking out the Tightwad Gazette Complete from your local library. She will have recipes and tips on scratch cooking and saving money and frugal living! We are liquidating our business (hopefully we can come close to breaking even..) and hubby will also be job searching - we don't know what we'll end up working with..... hope things go well for you. I find canning season VERY enjoyable! There is a sense of accomplishment. I used to garden, lately I use other's extra food, or go buy at a local Amish place. Even then - for $30 you can buy a LOT of food that you can can up and feed your family for a long time.
Things I can: Spaguetti sauce, pizza sauce, hot sauce (rice seasonong - not actually hot), plain tomatoes, salsa, green beans, tomato soup, peaches, pears, apple sauce, mixxed veggie soup, chicken stock, and freeze corn, mixed veggies, and that's all I can think of off hand! :0) blessings to ya!!!

Edited by wstoller on March 24, 2008 at 11:36 AM

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Posted by sherry

the blue ball book. Plus I have also searched different recipes on line if I am looking for a particular one. But mostly I use the blue ball book. I got mine at the Wal-Mart store here in town. Well worth investing in.

Blessings,

Sherry

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Posted by oklamouse

Here is the link to a free online caning course through the University of Georgia. The course is self-paced. It is good for a refresher to those who have been canning for quite awhile and also a good way for newbies to learn how to do home canning.

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/educators/educators_home.html

Paula

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