Link Dump

 I can't he'p it!

• The Ultimate Guide to Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Cookie Calculator
• Grrilla grill tool
• Vienna Teng's Waking Hour (no link)
• Synology Drive ShareSync: to link up multiple Synology NAS boxes
• Covid Infographic "Datapack"
• Flaky Butter Pie Crust recipe from "num's the word" via Yummly
• Pistol Stabilizing Braces without Determination Letters via Ammoland
• The million-hour light bulb
• Japan's "Border measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)" as of 2022.01.18

Dinner

Yesterday’s dinner was chicken carbonara (the recipe was for tuna, but I had canned chicken) and roasted broccoli with ginger.  The recipes were good, but the execution lacking 😂

Powder Substitutes

Normally, when referring to “powder”, I’m talking smokeless gun powder.  Since I've been cooking more lately, I have to find substitutions for certain things I don't have.

• Taco seasoning: 1 tbsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1-1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp black pepper
• Chili powder: 1 tsp paprika, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp oregano, 2 tsp garlic powder

If the chili powder recipe is legit, then the taco seasoning recipe could be restated by increasing the proportions of the constituent spices....

Another one that'd be useful is tomato sauce: I sure have a lot of tomato paste, just not the sauce!

Garden Stuff

This recipe for tomato jam has been languishing in my iPhone browser for months...saved here for posterity.

Plus the info for "Gordy the Gourd"....

Deodorant Recipe

Interesting read; being able to make one's own deodorant might be useful post-SHTF!

Copycat KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce

Might be worth trying:

Secret Recipe #1 for KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce:

This copycat recipe is supposed to be a close version of the original Masterpiece BBQ sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 3 Tbls. molasses
• 3 Tbls. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. liquid smoke
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/8 tsp. paprika
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Directions:

1. In a saucepan over medium high heat, bring all ingredients to a boil. Be sure to stir constantly.
2. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook for about 45-60 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Secret recipe #2: Copycat recipe for KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce:

I haven't tried this recipe yet, but I like that it has Agave Nectar which I use all the time now in place of sugar.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 3 teaspoons molasses
• 3 teaspoons turbinado sugar
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 tablespoon paprika
• 1/8 tablespoon garlic powder

Organic Homemade Ketchup

This showed up in my Facebook stream because Marigold commented on the author's wall picture. The recipe looks pretty simple:

INGREDIENTS

1 x 28 oz. Can Tomato Puree

1 x 6 oz Can Tomato Paste

1 Tbsp Vinegar (I like Unfiltered Raw Apple Cider)

1/4 Cup Water

1/6 tsp each Garlic & Onion Powder

1 pinch each Secret Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice

1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt

1/4 tsp Stevia Extract Powder

1/2 tsp Xanthan Gum (optional natural thickener)

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, pour in the 1st 4 ingredients. Stir, and bring to a simmer.

Add in the rest of the ingredients, and stir them in using a whisk.

Simmer for 10-20 minutes. The longer you simmer it, the thicker and more rich it will become.

Let cool,and pour into glass jar(s).

Well, that wasn’t too bad now was it.

You should have been making your own this whole time!

Will keep in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

If you like tangier ketchup, add a little more vinegar. Sweeter? Add more sweetener.

You can play with the spices & seasonings to develop your own signature ketchup. Spicy sounds good, too.

What’s you’re favorite ketchup accompaniment to have with you’re new recipe?

How will you tweak it? I’d love to know how it goes for you :)

ENJOY!

Be Well,

-Maximillian Barry

Hmm, it uses Stevia. Did the FDA accept that finally...?