Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread; April 6 ~ April 12, 2014

[ReneeT]

Prayers continuing for Moldy and Husband...

Ended up with a total of 14 of the 1# canned DAK hams during last week's 2/$5 sale at CVS; paid a total of $26.50 ($1.90 each) for all of them after using quarterly spending rebate Extra Care Bucks that printed on April 1st. The hams seemed vaguely familiar to me but I couldn't quite place when I'd had them before until daughter jogged my memory ~ when she was a child, her father and I always took them camping with us, and would pop the top partially open and set them to the side of the grill over the campfire, pouring off the fat into another container as it cooked to use in frying eggs the next morning. This firmed up the meat quite a bit, and the smoke from the fire also added a bit of flavor. I haven't been what you would call camping for over 20 years, so it's probably been that long since I had one of these canned hams! I forsee a new grill to swing over the firepit this year

I don't recall which day it was, Friday maybe, or Saturday ~ But a friend had mentioned ordering some Augason Farms food storage products from Wal-Mart; and that the prices were quite a bit lower than from AF, and shipping was free for orders $50 and over. I needed to order something for the grandsons anyway, so checked it out while I was on line. WOW! I ended up ordering #10 cans of:
Dehydrated spinach - $6 ($8.45 AF)
Tomato powder - $21 ($29.89 AF) (Blaming Kathy and her meals in jars thread for that one lol!)
Diced red and green bell peppers - $10 ($14.39 AF)
Freeze dried sliced strawberries - $13 ($19.28 AF)
That totaled the $50 I needed for free shipping - which also reduced what I'd have paid at AF by $11.99!! I really do not like to buy from EE, but Gee Whillikers!! - $34 difference!! I guess I'll be checking them out the next time I need to order something...

I have a couple of deals I'm pursuing this week:
CVS - 4 bags Mars/Dove candy @ 4/$12; I will buy 4 pkg of M&Ms to replace some I donated, pay $12 - 2, $1.50/2 coupons ($3) - $1/1 scanner coupon; pay $8 out of pocket and get back a $4 ECB, making the net price on the bags $1 each.

A local grocery store has some decent prices on beef roasts, boneless pork chops, and pork ribs this week; and they also had a coupon in the paper for $5 off a $25 meat purchase, so I will stop by Tuesday morning on my way home from work and see what I can find for the freezer.

I actually have 2 of the $5/$25 coupons, but I need to do some figuring to see if I can spend that much first - the cheapy canvas shoes I love to wear from spring to fall (and when they get worn, for gardening) are in and on sale for $5.99-$7.99/pr at K-Mart, so I want to pick up a half dozen pair of them as they are getting harder and harder to find in small sizes; that way I will have some put back in case I can't get them next year. I also have 2, 275 gallon water tanks ordered ($100/2) that should be coming in soon, plus an unknown number of used canning jars that my antique jar collector/seller co-worker has stacked up in her shop for me ~ probably somewhere between 12 and 30 dozen. She buys large lots, sorts out the antiques/collectables; then sells me what is left at $3/dozen (which I figure saves me at LEAST that much by not going to the auctions, etc... myself and buying other things lol!!) So I will have to pay for those things; just not sure exactly whether it will be before or after my next payday - which will also have the grub for Easter dinner coming out of it... It's always something LOL!!

The Smart Source coupon insert in this week's Saturday and Sunday papers contains a $1/2 12oz SPAM coupon. Walgreen's has SPAM on sale NEXT week - 4/13~19 - at 2/$5, and they are also supposed to have a $1/2 store coupon in their monthly coupon book -this would take the cost of 2 cans down to $3; or $1.50 each. I have at least 6 of the coupons on hand, so will be trying to get a dozen tins that week - it will be a challenge as I only work 2 days that week, so I may have to enlist my co-worker Buddy who lives in town to do some shopping for me!

 

[PyratePrincess]

Thanks Renee! I JUST found this thread and yippee!! First, I'm SAD I missed the DAK ham on sale at CVS (I'm going to have to pay more attention to them!)...but I am happy to hear that Spam's going on sale. Love me the spam and onions I STINK at couponing...but thanks to people like you, I CAN learn

 

[kilagal]

My big prep of the week is that dh bought me a new laptop today. It was on sale as well as we had a gift cert of $l25 to use as well. So it all helped.
I have not set it up yet. I have a headache. So will plug it in tomarrow and charge it while I do some canning. Then hopefully tomarrow night or the next day work on setting it up. It is my early 60th birthday present. My birthday is not till June but by then dh will have retired. So we did it now instead.
We got a generator earlier this month as well.
Now to get new tires on the truck so we don't have to worry when we go camping.
Plus we want to take a couple of trips. Like one to Alaska and one to Wisconson. But that might be next year before we do those. We have a couple of things we need to get done here before we do any traveling.

 

[psychgirl]

I've been reading these threads for a couple of weeks and enjoy them. But I have to say, ReneeT, I could NEVER come close to spending the amount of money each week that you do! And I'm a coupon head, too, scouring Walgreens, CVS, grocery stores....oh well! More power to ya!

 

[Kathy in FL]

Using some biofeedback techniques to try and bring my BP back where it needs to be. Too many stressful issues right now converging. I don't take BP meds - they make me sick as a dog - so I sure as heck hope this works before I have to seek out the doc. This is something I do not have time for.

Speaking of stress, tax time sucks. Dang their new 1099 info requirements on the Schedule E's is a pain in the butt.

Was sharing some recipes with a wonderful lady around here via PM and it has motivated me to get to the flea market this weekend, if possible - and if not this weekend then next - and get a case of bananas and get some banana preserves going. Bananas aren't getting any cheaper and the strange winter we had this year I think is going to affect mine from setting fruit. The plaintains as well.

Just realized I'm low on pool supplies so that will have to be rectified this week also.

Good grief so many things I have to do. So many things I want to do. But there's only so many hours in a day. Gee whiz.

 

[PyratePrincess]

Has anyone tried the AF farms food? I'm not familiar with them. I'm a bit apprehensive about the tomato powder and here's why (and it's not specific to AF). In making several of the meals in a jar, the recipe calls for tomato powder. I opened one of the cans I had (Mountain House I believe) and it was really...blah. Nothing WRONG with the powder...just NO flavor. Then I started thinking of the tomatoes one generally finds in the grocery store. No taste...unless you're buying the little cherub ones. Makes sense that if you start with a produce that has no flavor...the powder version wouldn't have any either. Sorry for the slight thread drift...I was just curious about AF in general-and the tomato powder specifically. THANKS!! ~Pyrate~

 

[Kathy in FL]

PP, tomato powder is very bland ... that's why it works in so many recipes that require various spices and herbs. Salt, pepper, spices, herbs ... they enhance the tomato not the tomato enhancing them.

Or at least that's what I was always taught. Yeah, it's great if you start with a vine ripened tomato with great taste but it is highly doubtful that you will get that in any commercial product. My mom always said if you want truly vine ripened tomatoes grow your own or go pick your own at a UPick farm. LOL

 

[PyratePrincess]

PP, tomato powder is very bland ... that's why it works in so many recipes that require various spices and herbs. Salt, pepper, spices, herbs ... they enhance the tomato not the tomato enhancing them.

Or at least that's what I was always taught. Yeah, it's great if you start with a vine ripened tomato with great taste but it is highly doubtful that you will get that in any commercial product. My mom always said if you want truly vine ripened tomatoes grow your own or go pick your own at a UPick farm. LOL

Thanks Kathy! Well that being said, the walmart price is pretty decent, so I'll have to give it a shot!

~Pyrate~

 

[moldy]

I haven't found tomato powder is really bland, but I make my own with home grown tomatoes. got DH out of the hospital yesterday - I have a feeling it's gonna be a long week! Have to work a couple nights, then I'm taking an AI class this weekend.

 

[Kathy in FL]

I haven't found tomato powder is really bland, but I make my own with home grown tomatoes. got DH out of the hospital yesterday - I have a feeling it's gonna be a long week! Have to work a couple nights, then I'm taking an AI class this weekend.

You have my sympathies. I'd rather deal with a man that is almost dead than one that is a little under the weather.

 

[ReneeT]

Moldy, I hope your arms are longer than mine LOL! Nothing like getting up close and very personal with a cow's hind end; BTDT

Stopped at CVS today; bought 2 bags of M&Ms and 2 bags Mars mixed minis @ 4/$12
Used:
$1/1 M&M or Mars product scanner coupon
$1.50/2 M&M coupon
$1/2 Mars coupon
$4 ECB
$3 ECB
Total: $10.50
Paid $1.50 + tax out of pocket; got back $4 ECB

Then I went to the small local grocery store and shopped the meat sales, buying 2 nice sirloin steaks, a good sized chuck roast, and a large pkg of St. Louis Style ribs for a total of $25.02; used the $5/$25 meat purchase coupon from the paper and paid $20.24 with tax. I'll cut each of the sirloins in half, each half will feed Hubs and I both. The chuck roast will also be cut in half and each half should give up a minimum of 4 servings with maybe a bit left to use in soup. The ribs will provide at least 8 servings as well.

Picked up a few other items while I was there:
2 pk orange bell peppers marked down to 99 cents
8 oz tub 'Baby Bella' sliced mushrooms (small portabellas) marked down to 99 cents

I'm thinking I'll cut one of those sirloin steaks in half and fancy it up a bit with some sliced peppers and mushrooms Whatever I don't use of the peppers and mushrooms, I'll put in the dehydrator for future use. May open a few cans of store bought diced tomatoes that are getting close to their use by date and use them to fill the rest of the dehydrator - I think it was Kathy that mentioned doing that on a different thread.

Also grabbed:
1/2 gallon Dean's brand chocolate ice cream on sale for $2.79
1/2 gallon Deans raspberry sherbet on sale for $2.99
Hubby is hitting the ice cream hard as it's still very difficult for him to chew unless things have been whizzed in the food chopper and he's getting a bit bored with that.

PyratePrincess ~ I store some Augason Farms brand items in my mid and long term storage and they are pretty good. Hubby and the boys go through quite a bit of the Chocolate Morning Moo for hot cocoa and chocolate milk; I have to cut it with the regular Moo as it is just too chocolately for me. I'm not fond of the creamer and a few other things in the Moo, but it does have a higher fat content - and tastes better! - than non-fat instant dry milk. I store it and Nido for the boys as they will need the higher fat content for a while yet. The freeze dried strawberries are really yummy - I think the boys could eat an entire can in one sitting if I didn't dole them out and then hide the can!

Planning to stay in town late tomorrow after work - I want to check the thrifts for some heavyweight, dark brown curtains to use to recover my glider rocker and ottoman cushions; grubby little boy hands have done a number on the current light colored floral coverings I also want to hit the salvage store to see if they have any more boxes of instant oatmeal and cream of wheat for Hubby, and Kcup coffe for the machine at work - just can't bring myself to pay regular grocery store price for any one of those things! I can't lollygag in town too long though ~ I'm watching the boys from 3-8pm tomorrow and will want to get in a good nap before they get here!

Off to bed; wishing you all a great day!

 

[cvk]

Anybody here do much pressure cooking? I butchered 4 rams a week ago and they are mutton. Figured they might be tough and would be better done in a pressure cooker, however------all the directions are for 2 pound roasts--good grief--my cooker is 2 gallons and I want to do at least 6 pounds at a time but have no idea how many minutes per pound might be a good idea. Don't want it to turn out like dried out rubber bands. Anybody have any idea of minutes per pound for meat or chix???

 

[moldy]

I have some old cookbooks for pressure cooking... I'll look tomorrow for you.

 

[moldy]

Sorry I can't be as much help as I thought! My books read 60 minutes for a 4 lb pork roast, and 30 minutes for a 4 lb beef roast. The only difference I can think of is that the pork roast has bones. The only lamb listed is for chops, and I don't think that will work for you.

DH is doing pretty good (and I so appreciate your thoughts and prayers). I did manage to get chickens ordered, and a class attended (I needed some refreshers on how to set up and read CVP/art lines). today, I've got another meeting (I can attend by phone - and that is such a Godsend when you live out in the country. Especially for short meetings). I also need to make a bunch of phone calls and DH wants to run into town.

 

[ReneeT]

CVK, I'm assuming you want to cook it like a roast? Brown on all sides in oil and then add water and pressure cook? I looked in my old cookbooks as well, and the only instructions I found for mutton in a pressure cooker was for 'boiled mutton." It called for a 4-6# roast, 5 cups water, 60 minutes at 10# pressure or 45 minutes at 15# pressure.

How are your roasts cut? The time is mostly dependent upon the thickness of the meat - a flat, 2-3" roast will take less time than a rump style roast that is 6" or so thick.

I'd start with the timing for a tough cut of beef, and work from there - you can always cut back the time and if it isn't done, cook it a bit longer.

Today, I got off work and didn't go anywhere besides home to bed lol! The grandsons graciously shared their latest cold with me, so I was pretty miserable all night; and knew I needed to get up by 12:30 as daughter planned to drop the boys off then so that she could go to Aldi's; then on to work. Bless them, MGS was asleep when they got here and just woke up a half hour ago; LGS woke up as I was carrying him in, but did go back down for a nap around 1:30 and slept 1.5 hours, so I got a bit more rest. Looking forward to a nice hot bath and crawling back in bed this evening tho! Sure am glad that I stocked up on all the free or nearly so allergy and cold meds so that I didn't have to stop on the way home!!

 

[anna43]

If you have a pressure canner, you can use it the same as a pressure cooker to do larger amounts of meat. My late m-i-l was a school cook and they used to do turkeys in pressure canners. You can use a canner as a pressure cooker, but you cannot use a pressure cooker as a canner!

 

[moldy]

About half-way thru my AI class, and I"m really enjoying it! If I can get really proficient, I might be able to do this for a bit of extra pocket money. But boy, my hands, arms, and shoulders are sure sore!!

 

[Horn]

My pressure cooker instruction book has instructions for canning in it. It only holds 4 pints and the times and pressure are the same as for the canners.

 

[Barb]

I was in the nearest wal-mart yesterday and looked for a small beef roast. None were less than $15.00 and were not very big. Rump roasts were $6.00 per pound, chuck roasts slightly less. I decided I had canned chunks that would work just as well, but boy I about had a heart attack right there.

 

[SAPPHIRE]

Our local stores have their marked down meat but the small teeny packages are high......lots of single steaks marked $7 and up............only the cheaper nasty bits are below $5.............

When I find something decent it's like striking gold............I bought some marked dow "grass fed natural" grnd. beef for $3.50 a lb.........so I bought about 6 lbs. and was thrilled......till I ate it........YUCK....it's texture was gritty and absolutely NO FLAVOR AT ALL.......IMO.....I think the meat may not be real meat at all......never had such gross product....

When I returned it and had my money back.........the meat manager said it tasted funny to me because "it was grass fed and you aren't used to that"..........BOLLOCKS........I told them I had eaten enough decent grass fed beef to know good from bad anytime.............I still think it wasn't 100% meat.............

So....I've bought another cut of their supposedly organic london broil......about a pound or so for less than $4...........if it tastes yucky.........I'm not trying any more of their garbage...........SAFEWAY MEATS................

King Sooper Simple Truth grnd. meat seems okay...............too pricey...$6.99-8.99 a lb...................

 

[anna43]

My pressure pan also has those instructions. However, USDA rules state clearly do not use pressure pans for canning. Check with the home economist at your local Extension Service for additional information.

I do not do any canning unless it meets the latest standards. http://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html is the website for this information. Usually I just use the Ball Blue Book but sometimes I refer to the USDA website.