Let's Talk Potatoes!

In this house potatoes rule!  Yes, we eat rice and pasta but potatoes are king around here!  I have always been a snob about "fake" potatoes.  I would never have dreamed of serving them to my family.  I have faded memories of the few times my mother served them and they were a disgusting pasty memory.

That is until last summer when I discovered through Costco a brand of dehydrated potatoes called Harvest Earth Creamy Mash potatoes that sells for the new 2011 price of $10.50 versus the $9 price I paid summer 2010. Costco had them to sample and I was blown away by the fact that they tasted like potatoes!  The ingredient list is small, potatoes, sea salt and dried milk, so they actually are potatoes!

Each box has 18 packets that in a pinch will serve 6 but with my large family I usually make two packets.  We always have left overs and I will use the leftovers to make potato bread.  If your Irish, you know what I'm talking about!  I also sprinkle in some garlic powder but that is a preference of mine, but just as delicious without.

So, on my last trek to Costco I bought another box and food sealed two packages together to extend the shelf life.  Give them a try, it is a good value and perfect for food storage, camping and when your rushed for time during supper hour.

Rice

So, I finally bought myself some mylar bags and oxygen absorbers for my longterm food storage.  So, into my bins I went to take out my rice to store properly in these bags.  I really try to be diligent about rotating.  Especially because I have a family of six and up until recently couldn't afford or justify the expense of getting mylar.  So, I was very disappointed to discover two large bags of parboiled rice that I have had for at least three years now.  I know because I called Superstore customer service and they verified the date via the upc code. 

The smell isn't to bad, but it definitely smells different from the bag that my husband bought recently.  I have since learned that parboiled rice does go rancid, so I figure I may have to compost it which kills me!  But at the same time, I have no desire to make anyone in the house sick!  I'm hoping to find out that it is actually still good...Help!

I bought my mylar bags from Basic Life Eessentials a local company that I really want to support!  Excellent service and bags are beautiful and strong!



These are my oxygen absorbers that I ordered through LDS in the USA.  They ship for free to CANADA!!!!  WOW!

This is a jar that I foodsaved and another bag of basmati rice done in my foodsaver bags.  I love the mason jar method, but it can be hit and miss for the seal to hold.  Doesn't fill me with confidence, but I do like it!

Preparing your family...

Over the weekend I had my brother and sister in-law visit.  I adore my sil and I have talked to her before about having a pantry.  She did try to start one, but didn't really take it seriously.  She put in some effort during the H1N1 pandemic but when that fizzled out so did her efforts.

Like everyone else, they see what is going on around the world!  They can see prices going up and packages shrinking in size.  From our discussion I decided to show her my pantry.  At best, I have three months set aside for eight people, though if need be I could definitely stretch it out longer...I hope!  She thought I had a year!  She was shocked at what I am storing and I think it took her back a bit.  She immediately said I have to do this!  She had tons of questions and hopefully this is the beginning.

However, what surprised me most was my brother's reaction.  He was angry!  He felt that there was no way they could prepare and why bother because you waste it, they can't afford it, or you can't plan for everything so why bother.  His reaction surprised me because my brother is in the military!  Go figure!  They also just came home from a nice vacation, which they deserved...but honestly, if I could choose between an expensive vacation or buying enough food for a year...I would choose food!  My husband wouldn't agree...but I have a feeling in the short term he will change his mind as prices rise and things around the world get crazier!

Egg Replacements

I recently ordered a can of whole dried eggs which will be put away into my food storage and only used as it gets close to the expiration date.  However, because this is an expensive item to add to food storage which in reality, may or may not be needed as my goal is to have food storage for a year or more, and I am building that based more on economic conditions and food shortages and I remain hopeful that I could get my hands on eggs and my hope is to someday have chickens & hens in my backyard!

So, with that long winded sentence made, I am including some recipes for substitutes to have on hand because they are cheaper and easier to attain, especially for those starting out and on super tight budgets! 

2 tbsp cornstarch = 1 egg

2 tbsp arrowroot flour = 1 egg

2 tbsp potato starch = 1 egg

1 heaping tbsp soy powder + 2 tbsp water = 1 egg

1 tbsp soy milk powder + 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water = 1 egg.

1 banana = 1 egg in cakes.

1 tbsp milled flax seed and 3 tbsp water = 1 egg. Light, fluffy cakes!

Flax Seed:

How can flax substitute for oils and eggs in cooking?
 Flaxseed can easily replace oil or shortening in a recipe because of it's high oil content. Just replace 1/3 c. of oil with 1 c. of milled flaxseed for a 3:1 substitution ratio. Similarly, a flaxseed mixture can be used as an egg substitute in selected recipes like pancakes, muffins and cookies. For every egg, replace with 1 tsp. of milled flax amd 3 tbsp. of water. Mix milled flaxseed and water in a small bowl and let sit for 1 to 2 minutes. The result will be a slightly gummier and chewier baked good, with a slight decrease in volume.

Flax seeds are easy to grind, and you likely have the right tool in your kitchen. Grind flax seeds at home using a coffee grinder, food processor or blender. Like coffee beans, you can grind flax seeds coarsely or finely, but generally, recipes call for finely ground flax seed.

Costco Shopping

Through my bank...(I hate banks!!!) I started a savings account that is funded through your debit purchases.  If I buy anything using my regular chequing/debit acount  then 25 cents is deposited into my savings account.  I have used this money for Christmas and just the other day for prepping!

I decided to take $40...yep, not much I know and go to Costco and see if they had anything on clearance that I could grab suitable for food storage.  Well, my prayers were answered!  I bought a 20lb bag of flour for $15, a box of instant mashed potatoes for $10.50 (I plan to write about them soon as they are excellent) and the best purchase.... four 2lb bags of whole bean coffee for $4.97 each!!!!  Regular price was $12.99! 

Costco will clear out items at wonderful prices, they usually end in .97.  I had already bought this particular brand of coffee two weeks before on sale at this price,  I did not expect to find any left!  Maybe people are suspicious of cheap coffee!  This time, they weren't showing the regular price just this clearance price, so maybe they presume it isn't good coffee...but it is and nice and strong!

I went over by $5 but no big deal!  The rest of my savings is going towards an order with www.basiclifeessentials.com  where I ordered a can of dried whole eggs...hard to find lately, and two different sizes of mylar bags! 

Things are heating up in the middle east...I'm feeling the worry of inflation and seeing prices rise!  I need to know we have what we need to be prepared for whatever may come our way.

Long Term Food Storage Shelf Life Listing

Here is a great Article about long term storage expiration dates on Daily Survival Blogspot.  It also includes some great links!