Asian Pear

Yummy!

Okay, so I purchased them accidentally but it has all worked out well. I'm not sure how I happened to have two Asian Pears instad of whatever it was I was actually intending to purchase. It just happened.

Asian Pears are a bit odd in the produce section as they wear this little stretchy styrofoam wrap; presumably to prevent them being damaged in handling.

The fruit is tasty - juicy in the same way jicama is juicy but not at all crunchy in the same way. They taste like a pear, sort of. And taste like something distinct and different. They're really good - expensive (nearly $2.00 each) but would be quite a treat shredded over a green salad.

Next time you're in the produce aisle, give Asian Pears a try.

Buttermilk Syrup

Last Saturday, my friend Alice T taught a class on making Sourdough Biscuits in Dutch Ovens and it was a lot of fun for the few ladies who did attend. Along with the instruction, Alice had made a wonderful breakfast with a variety of sourdough based foods including biscuits and gravy and sourdough pancakes. I had a pancake and just knew there was something special about the syrup, I'd had it before. It took a bit but I did finally recall, Kelly (my daughter in-law) had made Pumpkin Pancakes with Buttermilk Syrup for breakfast on Christmas morning.

If you haven't tried it, you really should give this tasty syrup a try. Of course, sourdough or pumpkin pancakes would be great, too!

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Buttermilk Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cube butter
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 T light Karo corn syrup
1/2 tsp baking soda

Except the baking soda, melt all ingredients together. Add the baking soda and boil about 5 minutes.

When you add the baking soda, the volume will increase so be sure to use a large enough pan.

Green Beans with Slivered Almonds

1/2 can green beans, with liquid
2 Tbsp slivered almonds
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp lemon juice

Heat the green beans according to label directions. Drain.
In a skillet, melt butter. Sauté almonds for 3-5 minutes or until toasted. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and green beans.

Variations:
Sauté 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms and 1/4 cup sliced onions with the almonds.

Add 1/4 tsp garlic to melted butter.

Replace the lemon juice with 1 tsp soy sauce.

Serves 2
Serve with chicken, beef, or pork chops.

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There is also an interesting recipe for green beans and almonds at Martha Stewart site. Click here for recipe >>>

Nearly a Year

Curiously, in reviewing information available on the Provident Living site, something caught my attention - February 2007.

"We encourage Church members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.

"We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve."
—The First Presidency, All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage, Feb. 2007, 1

I've visited Provident Living many, many times ... and do a lot of reading there. Somehow, the fact that we should be establishing a 3 month plan for family food storage has eluded me for an entire year. I've a lot of catching up to do!

Getting Started

The first post on a new blog!

I'd like to encourage everyone to participate on this blog and also, if you would be interested in being an author on here, send me a note. Hopefully, a community full of ideas for starting and maintaining a three month supply of food items will grow and benefit all of us and help us along this food storage journey.