Homemade Tofu Jerky

In case you were wondering, the granola bars held up perfectly on the trail.  3 days in a crammed pack and they didn't crumble, melt, or lose their delicious flavor.

Another homemade delight we brought with us, and try to bring with us on our backpacking trips (if I make time to make them before we leave), is homemade jerky.  Tofu jerky.  This is another recipe that I've made many different ways.  I always use the dehydrator, but have tried different types of marinades, from store bought to homemade.  The most recent one I made was based off of this recipe.  I forgot to add in some honey, which would have helped with the saltiness.  But regardless, it was still pretty good.

Homemade Tofu Jerky

1 package extra firm tofu
1/8 c. soy sauce
1/8 c. teriyaki sauce
1/4 c. Bragg's Liquid Aminos
4 tbsp liquid smoke
1/8 c. water
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp pepper
1 tbsp hot sauce
1 tsp honey (which I forgot)
you could continue to add or substitute a variety of spices to your liking.




1. Drain and slice the tofu, keep in mind that it will shrink a decent amount.
2. Place all the slices into a deep dish.
3. Mix together the rest of the ingredients and pour over the tofu slices.
4. Marinate in the fridge overnight.
5. Place the tofu slices on the dehydrator and dehydrate until chewy (time will depend on your dehydrator).

You can save the left over marinade and re-use it for more jerky. 


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Homemade Granola Bars

I think I finally did it.  I think I finally made the (almost) perfect granola bar.  They haven't been trail tested yet, but I have a feeling they will pass the test (i.e. not super melt, fall to pieces, be too sticky, and still be delicious).  We'll be backpacking in the Olympic National Park this coming weekend, so I will let you know how they do.

But for now, in the comfort of my own home, they are perfect.  I started making granola bars about 3 years ago when my sister introduced me to this Energy Bar recipe.  These bars were really good, but I couldn't eat a lot of them.  They had a little too much honey for me.  They were also super sticky and turned to mush on the trail.  

The best thing about homemade granola bars, is that you can alter them to your liking.  Do you prefer dried fruits? Chocolate? Do you go nuts over nuts? Over the past few years, I've made several different versions (combining several different recipes), but most of the time resort to store bought bars for long backpacking trips.  Until now....I hope.

I wanted to cut back on the honey taste, so I substituted some sugar and molasses.  So, here is the new and improved recipe:

Homemade Granola Bars

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons molasses
3 cups rolled oats (I added some homemade granola as well, because I had it on hand)
1 cup nuts (I used a mix of hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts....again, because I had them)
1 handful of coconut (depending on how much you like...i love the stuff)
cinnamon
ginger powder
1 handful chocolate chips

1.  Combine the butter, sugar, honey, peanut butter, and molasses in a pot and bring to a boil.  Remove from heat.
2.  Add in the oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, ginger powder, and any other ingredients you want to add/substitute and mix until evenly coated.
3.  Line a pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper, plastic wrap, or nonstick mat.  I use a Silpat Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat (my oldest sister gave it to me for Christmas one year, I love it.).
4.  Pour the mixture onto your pan and flatten with a spoon.
5.  Place the chocolate chips throughout the mixture.
6.  Place another layer of plastic wrap over the mixture and use a rolling pin to combine the chocolate chips and evenly flatten the bars.
7.  Put the pan in the fridge.  After an hour, you can cut the bars and store them in the fridge, they should keep for awhile.

I wrapped my most recent batch with parchment paper and rubber bands (I knew I'd find a use for those produce bands).


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99 Skills Challenge: #22 Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

#22 Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

The 22nd item on Planet Green's 99 Skills list is "Make Your Own Vanilla Extract." They conveniently provide a link to a recipe and some information.

We're almost done with our store bought vanilla extract, so I wanted to get this started, since it takes about 2-3 months to extract.  Vanilla extract is even easier to make than sweetened condensed milk.  You basically cut some vanilla beans add alcohol and wait.  I can't believe no one has ever taught me this stuff before. 

As you use the extract, you can keep replacing the teaspoon or so of liquor. Leaving you with basically a never ending bottle of vanilla! (As long as you always have some liquor on hand...)

I am never buying vanilla extract again...

Ingredients:

• Vanilla beans - 1 bean for every 1/3 cup alcohol.  (I purchased mine in bulk from New Seasons Market for about $1.50/each).  
• Alcohol - vodka, rum, brandy, etc. (I purchased the cheapest glass bottled vodka in the store $6.80/750ml).

How To:
1. Cut the vanilla beans lengthwise, leaving their ends attached.
2. Place the beans in a glass jar/container and cover with alcohol (I used 3 beans and 1 cup vodka).
3. Store in a cool, dark place for 2 - 3 months and shake every few days.
4. You want to protect the extract from direct sun exposure.  So you can either keep it stored in a dark cabinet but most people recommend filtering and storing it in a dark bottle.

$6.64 for 1 cup of never-ending extract.


If you prefer other extracts in your pantry, you can make others using a similar process, like almond extract.

Click here To read more about my 99 Skills Challenge.


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Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

I love sweetened condensed milk.  If I ever have any left over from a recipe, I put it in my coffee, smoothies, mix it with yogurt, etc.  I needed some for a recipe the other day (dulce de leche ice cream), but didn't have any on hand.  I looked up how to make it at home and found two different ways.  One with liquid milk and one with powdered.  I used this powdered recipe because I needed to save the milk for the ice cream.  It's so easy and AMAZING!  

I am never buying sweetened condensed milk in a can again!

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 cup dry milk
2/3 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. butter
1/3 cup boiling water

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth (sugar should dissolve).  Place in a container and refrigerate.


Tip:  You can use a regular (not wide mouth) mason/canning jar on most blenders!  Just screw the blade on and blend!  This way you don't have to wash the blender container or transfer your ingredients.  Just screw on a lid and viola!  This is great for smoothies, spices, nuts, and sauces!  I bet an immersion blender would also work for this recipe.  Let me know if you try it!

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Homemade Firestarters

This post is not about royal weddings or tornadoes. However, it is about wood stoves, the Portland weather, camping, and how to make your own firestarters.

One would hope, that since May is just around the corner, the need to use our wood stove or heat would stop, or at least slow down. Yet, last night we had a fire and today at noon, our heat kicked on. We tend to keep our heat between 59 or 60 and use the wood stove on nights when we want a little extra warmth while cuddling with the dogs and watching Heroes. So, if it kicks on during the day, it means it's pretty cold for a spring afternoon.

So, because the rain continues to fall and clouds continue to cover the sky, I can't wait for summer to come around and backpacking adventures to begin. But, because this is the Pacific Northwest, finding dry enough kindling to start a fire isn't always easy, especially early and late in the seasons.

So today, to prepare for our next backpacking adventure and to help out with starting fires in the wood stove, I made some firestarters. These are super lightweight and easy to make and you probably have the materials needed in your home.

Homemade Firestarters

What you'll need:

-Dryer Lint (tip: keep a brown bag next to the dryer to put all our lint into.  When it's full, just throw the whole bag in the compost - if I don't have any more bags, just re-use the same one).  You can also use old Christmas tree/pine needles, newspaper, or a mixture of all three.

-Pressed Paper Egg Carton (tip: these cartons are also compostable.  I try to buy eggs in bulk and re-use cartons).
-Wax or crayons (tip:  keep a jar around to put in old candles or crayons).

How to:
1. Stuff the dryer lint in the egg cartons:

Put in as little or as much as you want.

2. Melt the wax or crayons with a double boiler.  Use a container that you don't mind permanently being covered in wax, for example I used a mason jar.  You can also use a tin can.  Place the wax in the container and then place that into a pot with some simmering (not boiling) water.

Meanwhile, your dog will think you are cooking up something delicious and patiently wait.

3. Place the egg carton on some parchment paper to catch any spilled wax.  Some wax may also seep through the carton, which is o.k.  The wax should peel right off the paper so you can re-use it.

4. Pour or spoon the melted wax into the egg cartons.

My jar wasn't too hot, but just in case, use an oven mitt.

5. Cut them up and store them for later use!

I put mine in a ceramic container near the wood stove.

6. Compost any leftover dryer lint or egg carton (like the lids).  The worms and your garden will love it!  Save the wax for next time!


How to Use:
Just light a piece of the egg carton and build your fire on top!


Currently listening to:
Ida - Willow Tree

Ida: Willow Tree from Foglight Films on Vimeo.