What Preps are you doing this week? Part 9

[PreppingPingu]

Looking at non food items/non toiletries - you know the practical sort items that get overlooked. GillieBee mentioned Super glue. I am making a DIY type list of extras. I mean I have that sort of thing lying about the place all the time but I am thinking to put in in a box like I do with batteries and power cut stuff.

So, to start: Gaffa Tape, Super Glues, all weather sealant (Got some down in my allotments shed.)
Various washers and plumbers tape
Extra nails and screws
Spare tape measure and multi head manual screw driver.
Some plastic sheeting/tarps for emergency window repairs
Some Sheets of MDF/chip board/Plywood (Not for the box, but in a corner of the garage!)

Yes I know I could go on forever and make some wonder tool box and supply of materials, but this is basic bits for prepping emergency. I have my forest-school hand tools in a bag in the garage so I am set there for power-down situation tools. I tend to keep "useful bits of wood" in my allotment shed, rather than clutter up hubby's shed where he does his knife making hobby. Might not go down too well if I clutter up his work space

[Jerseyspud]

Duct tape and super glue are my go to to fix most things

[jansman]

Zip ties. String and cord. Milliput resin , Araldite, insulation tape, staples for gun, the list is endless.

[SamVimes]

New pair of walking boots, couple more water containers and realised that Coleman gas cans have a crew thread whereas Campingaz have a push fit connection

[mbbaltic]

I’m having another go at fermented food and drink. Partly for health reasons but it seems a good way to preserve food that doesn’t rely on electricity. But I wish I could think of more ways to include it in meals. Sauerkraut and pork is the obvious one but what do you eat kimchi with?

Coming into elderflower season, I always make elderflower cordial and this year I thought I’d use it to flavour some water kefir. It would make it a bit less sweet than cordial with fizzy water and a bit healthier

Trying ginger beer as well. Good for the digestion

[jennyjj01]

Trying ginger beer as well. Good for the digestion

Ginger beer is fun. I haven't made it for ages, but I remember how the yeast starter just kept doubling and doubling. Must give it another go.

Anyways. Not much to report this week.
Stocked up on veg oil, so will easily last out a year if it becomes truly unavailable. Was instructed to lower my cholesterol, so researching recipes.

Mission to cut power bills: Adjusted the house thermostat down and set washer to cooler wash and resolved to use the washing line and clothes maids much more and tumble dryer much less. Got complaints about rough towels and T shirts though. Have to experiment there as Tumble drying does make for softer fabrics.

Planted out most of my seedlings out from the kitchen window into my beds. I now have 5 beds on the go and timber for #6.
Some of the more fragile ones into the cloche to harden up. Traded a few of my babies with the next door neighbours so I now have green beans and a strawberry plant in my crop.

[GillyBee]

Elderflower cordial with water kefir is a winner - we did it last year but are not doing water kefir at the moment as it ws not getting used.
In South Korea Kimchi is eaten as a simple side with EVERY meal. This was a problem for me when I visited as I hate pickles and it considered rude to leave it untouched. The main difference between it and sauerkraut is the huge amount of extra chilli and touch of fish sauce. (One recipe I saw suggested 1 cup of red chillli to 1 head of cabbage!)
This week's ferment is home made yoghurt using NIDO milk powder The NIDO is getting on and needs using and seems to make a good youghurt so I am counting this as a win. If I could get it up to commercial standard I might even get t'other half to eat it.

[jennyjj01]

This week's ferment is home made yoghurt using NIDO milk powder The NIDO is getting on and needs using and seems to make a good youghurt so I am counting this as a win. If I could get it up to commercial standard I might even get t'other half to eat it.

Recipe please
I've never made yoghurt, so it sounds intriguing. Plus i have lots of out of date NIDO.

[GillyBee]

It is easy peasy. Also works with fresh milk. Mr Fussy prefers the fresh milk version but the NIDO one is definitely good enough for everyday in my opinion and avoids any fuss sterilising things.

1) Make up the NIDO as per the packet instructions for standard milk. Use a mix of boiled and cold water to get it warm but not actually hot. (40-45C)
2) Stir in one or two tablespoons of live plain supermarket yoghurt.
3) Put it into either a warmed thermos flask or a covered glass jar/jug wrapped well in towels to keep it warm.
4) Check after 4 hours. If it has set, put it in the fridge. It will get firmer as it cools.
5) If not set, check the temperature. If it has cooled down and you are using towels you can pop it in the microwave for ten seconds at a time until it has warmed up a bit. Then rewrap and leave it a few more hours. You may need to check and rewarm every two hours if you are using a microwave. Don't be tempted to overdo the microwave as cooked yoghurt is more like cottage cheese..... (Ask me how I know )

As long as the batch came out well, you can save part of the new batch to start the next one. Some yoghurt brands seem to work better than others. Lancashire Farm and Yeo both work for me. As long as you use enough starter it should swamp any other bacteria in the mix and keep things safe. If you have any spare cream you can stir this in to get a Greek type of yoghurt. It seems to be the fat content that decides how thick it all gets.

[jennyjj01]