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| Homemade Gravy Mixes |
Apparently, I was on a roll the past few days. We weren't doing a turkey for Thanksgiving, as I'd found a perfect lovely pork rib roast and was gifted home grown acorn squash from my co-worker, Theresa. That left me with a lot more time to play with jars and mixes.
First, I made homemade gravy mixes, and when I was finished, I had quart jars with mixes for multiple batches of chicken gravy, beef gravy, and mushroom gravy. No running out to the store for those anymore.
I looked but couldn't find any recipes for turkey or pork gravy mixes, so I'll still get those, making sure they're non-GMO or non-bioengineered. Those are the ones I will make and serve here.
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| Homemade Rice Mixes |
While I was doing the gravy mixes, my order was delivered with the bulk packages of Zataran's long grain rice, as well as more of the organic tomato powder, and I was stocked to make my seasoned rice mixes.
The two I immediately put into jars were the Herb Butter Rice Mix (like Uncle Ben's Original Seasoned Rice Mix), and the other was a Spanish Rice Mix.
I started by putting the seasonings in the bottom, and then rice on top. Although the recipe didn't call for it, I used white and brown rice in the herb butter variety. The seasonings went into the jar first so that when I vacuum-sealed the jars, it didn't suck the powders out the top. After the jars were sealed, I shook them up to mix them, and then put labels on the lids.
In case you'd like recipes for these, They're from a YouTube channel called "Plow and Pantry". HERE is the link. In addition to these two, she also makes chicken, curry, beef, and onion rice mixes. I saved those recipes, but only made these two for now. I'll make the others later.
I pulled the gravy mixes off the Internet and don't have the links with me right now, but I'll share them later if anyone is interested.
I hope you all had a lovely and enjoyable Thanksgiving. We're expecting a doozy of a storm that should begin overnight tonight. We're not sure how much is going to fall around here, but in the Midwest, you just never know.
Handsome and I have hair appointments on Saturday morning, and once the snow starts, we'll know whether we have to reschedule or not. Honestly, when the weather gets crazy, we just prefer to stay home. Oh, and I'm breaking a hard and fast rule today. I'm out of birdseed, and didn't find it out until I went to fill the feeders yesterday afternoon. As all the stores were closed for Thanksgiving, I want to run out and get what I need before this storm hits so the birds will have food. Believe me. Absolutely nothing else would get me out of the house today! Well, except work. I work my three hour shift starting at 4, and if we're slow, I'll be coming home early.
Another weekend has rolled around, so put your feet up, eat your leftovers, and have a great weekend, my friends. I'll be back tomorrow with another Steve the Otter meme (or two).
Smart to make those mixes, the store bought are all so salty, even the rice mixes.
ReplyDeleteI like snow, but hope we don't get too much!
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn:
DeleteI'm with you about the snow, but from what the farmers are saying, it could be a huge white dump. Stay safe, my dear.
xoxo
Donna
Am I the only one that thinks weather forecasts were more accurate when we were younger, before all the new fangled gadgets and computers? Most days around here it seems like it's going to be partly mostly sunny cloudy with a chance of precipitation or not...
ReplyDeleteHi Lois:
DeleteI've said for years that weatherman must be the only job where you can be wrong most of the time and still keep your job. I don't get it at all. All I know is I've got my boots ready, the bird feeders filled, and I'll be taking snacks out for the squirrels and opossums, too. Otherwise, girlfriend, you'll find me safely tucked inside!
xoxo
Donna
The new mixes look good, but sadly we won't be making them because we rarely have gravy. I really don't care for it, mainly because of memories of the greasy version my mother used to make. My system doesn't react well to greasy foods and I've grown to like things sans gravy.
ReplyDeleteThe expected storm here didn't really materialize, at least not locally. Other places got quite a bit of snow but it mostly passed us by. Very happy about that!!
Hi MA:
DeleteI completely get it. My American grandma was an excellent cook. In fact, she used to travel all over the US opening Holiday Inn retaurants. She taught my mum to cook when Dad brought her here when she was about 18. She had lots of years of practice with Grandma! I usually make my gravies as I cook the meat, but there are times I want to have it for mashed potatoes, etc. without all the other stuff. This mix also works well as a flavor enhancer, or to thicken stews or meat pies. I'm glad you didn't get the storm, but I'm afraid we aren't going to be so fortunate. It's fixing to smack us right between the big toes. ugh. Wish us luck!
xoxo
Donna
You never know what the weather will be until you get up in the morning.
ReplyDeleteWeather forecasting and supermarkets, that's a very sketchy relationship there.
Next week we are set for snow flurries, rain, heavy wind and sun, maybe a cloud thrown in there too.
Shirley
Hi Shirley:
DeleteI got the last of my running accomplished this morning. Dog food for the girls, bird seed, and a few other small things I wanted to restock in the pantry. Got home, took a nap, and then went in for a couple hours. We were busy early on, but I think most folks were home getting tucked in for the storm. Please stay safe, dry, warm, and batten down your hatches, my friend. Sounds like you're in for a bumpy ride, too.
Hugs,
xoxo
Donna