I have included over 100 recipes/link to recipes on this blog to help you with your Food Storage Planning. Take time to try a few recipes during this next month or so!
See for yourself how it is indeed possible, economical [and wise] to use food storage in your meals now....
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Important items to consider for your food storage plan to help round out food/meal preparation:
Olive oil
Cooking oil
Butter/margarine
Shortening
Yeast
Vital wheat gluten
Baking powder
Baking soda
Jam and Jelly
Honey
Molasses
Pancake syrup
Sugar
Powdered sugar
Multi-vitamins and Vitamin C
Advil / Aspirin / Medicinal herbs
Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil will store for up to 10 years in a cool, dry, dark place. I suggest to also keep the olive oil in a paper sack so there is no possibility of light at all. IF stored for 10 years before using, when opened, it must be kept in the refrigerator, this might help you decide on sizes to purchase.
A whole wheat bread made with olive oil:
http://www.abreadaday.com/whole-wheat-olive-oil-bread/
NOTE: suggest that you google olive oils to make certain you are getting the real thing.....Kirkland brand is on the 'good' list.
I'm for moderation when using refined foods (such as white flour). This is a lovely bread to have once in a while....
http://www.theprudenthomemaker.com/rosemary-olive-oil-bread
Cooking Oil
Vegetable oil, avocado oil, corn oil, canola oil, etc....needs to be rotated on a yearly basis.
Butter / Margarine
We read 'don't buy margarine, just buy butter', but for some
it might depend upon what is affordable within their budget. Best way to prolong what you buy is to freeze it. Keep in original packaging, put into gallon zip-loc bags to further protect it.
Shortening
I have used/stored Crisco and store brand shortening, also Spectrum. I like to use shortening for greasing pans when baking. We also use it in baking mix, biscuits, and southern style dumplings. Have also used either half shortening and half butter or Spectrum brand.
Yeast
Keep unopened in freezer for longest storage. It also helps that it is vacuum packed. We buy the lb. packages two at a time, put them as is into gallon zip-loc bag marked with date of purchase, keep in freezer. Then when opening one lb. of yeast, that goes into a glass jar to be kept in fridge. This isn't the brand I find at our store, although in the past it was the only kind I could find in this larger package. This gives you an idea of what the vacuum pack will look like, as if the yeast was one solid block (but it is not)....
Vital Wheat Gluten
Wheat Gluten can have a shelf life of up to 7-10 years if unopened and stored in ideal storage conditions. Once opened best to use within 6 months or so, but does not need refrigeration. Using in bread making only takes a Tablespoon or two per loaf. Can also be used to make 'meat' substitute.
Many brands sell in small bags such as from Bob's Red Mill, this will not store 7 to 10 years, maybe about 2 unopened.
Or buy in bulk form, then you can choose how much to buy.
Wheat Gluten in #10 cans, makes for a longer storage time. I suggest that you read entire post, it has helpful information. Honeyville is a good company:
http://shop.honeyville.com/vital-wheat-gluten.html
Instructions / recipes for 'meat' substitute using vital wheat gluten:
http://www.preparednesspro.com/wheat-meat-success
http://www.preparednesspro.com/great-wheat-meat-recipes
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/homemade-sausages.html
https://toocheapforpinenuts.wordpress.com/tag/vital-wheat-gluten-flour/
http://mayabugs.com/blog/american-european-fusion-recipes/vegetarian-reubens-w-homemade-seitan/
Baking Powder
Rumford's is the best brand in my opinion, it is aluminum free. I ask my local health food store to order this in for me, it is around $12.00 and is kept in my cold (under 60) storage room when not using. The company says 2 year storage life, but have to say mine is still good and it is over 4 years old.
Baking Soda
We bought the very large bag at Sam's Club and used part of it to fill an empty Rumford's container (like the one above), then labeled it 'Baking Soda'. Has lasted over 4 years in our cold storage room.
Jam and Jelly
We like freezer strawberry jam. Also have made freezer raspberry jam, and sometimes peach jam. When making freezer jam, I use the **[no-cook] instant clear jel so there is no cooking involved and less sugar is needed so it retains a fresh berry taste. You must combine the clear jel with sugar before adding to the fresh crushed fruit. This jam stores for a year in freezer.
Read about instant clear jel here, this brand is on Amazon prime for $10.45, a 16 oz. bag:
http://www.barryfarm.com/nutri_info/thickeners/clear_jel_instant.htm
Instant clear jel in a #10 can:
http://rainydayfoods.com/clear-jel-instant-2-5.html
**instant pudding using this same instant jel:
http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/homemade-no-cook-instant-pudding-mix-make-ahead-mondays/
Also, for longer storage, we bottle raspberry jam, apricot jam, sometimes other fruit jams with regular amounts of the sugar recommended, as well as making 100% grape juice jelly and sometimes other 100% fruit juice jellies, NO corn syrup added like many brands now use in jams/jellies, and if you do find it to buy, without the high fructose corn syrup, it is spendy. We rotate on a 5 to 10 year cycle....it keeps a long time because of the sugar content. For these jams/jellies use 'premium fruit pectin'....
Honey
Caution: do not give honey to children under 1 year of age.
Will store indefinitely, but with time tends to crystallize. Never store in tin cans, the acid in the honey will eat away the metal. Store in glass or food grade plastic.
http://selfreliantschool.com/honey-use-wonderous-natural-substance/
Molasses
We like the 'unsulphured' .... the sulfured kind has an off taste that lingers in cooking/baking.
Molasses Cookies
[I'd put half whole wheat flour in these cookies]
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/chewy-molasses-cookies-51205630
Pancake Syrup
So many choices, or make your own!!
Real maple syrup is less sweet tasting. If choosing this, it tastes great mixed in some softened butter to spread on pancakes or waffles.
Sugar
Stores indefinitely. I'd say if you/yours can tolerate/have sugar, even if you don't use it often right now, still is smart to have some in long term storage. If deciding to store in #10 cans, DO NOT use an oxy pack....the sugar will go hard as a rock.
Powdered Sugar
Stores indefinitely. We found a smallish food grade bucket and lid to store our supply of powdered sugar. Since it isn't something we use often enough to have a big bucketful, the small bucket is just right!
Multi-Vitamins
This is such an individual choice. Have something on hand that you like and use, then rotate it/keep it stocked ahead. In emergencies where multi-vitamins might not be available or your supply dwindles: sprouting will help increase the intake of vitamins and minerals. Wheat and lentils would be my choice of what I have on hand that could be sprouted. If you want to buy Alfalfa seeds, that would be a great addition for sprouting.
Vitamin C
So many choices.....will give 2 suggestions here. Have enough for 1 per day, and rotate supply.... We like Nature's Way Vitamin C 1000 with rose hips.
This is my choice for Ester-C, but they have a variety to choose from, so you might want to check out their website or on Amazon.....
Advil / Aspirin / Herbs
Or other pain relievers you/yours would like to keep on hand. Stagger buying it so the use by date is also staggered to prolong storage timing.
We stock several kinds of herbs for medicinal and health purposes, and have had amazing success over the years using herbs.
Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil will store for up to 10 years in a cool, dry, dark place. I suggest to also keep the olive oil in a paper sack so there is no possibility of light at all. IF stored for 10 years before using, when opened, it must be kept in the refrigerator, this might help you decide on sizes to purchase.
A whole wheat bread made with olive oil:
http://www.abreadaday.com/whole-wheat-olive-oil-bread/
NOTE: suggest that you google olive oils to make certain you are getting the real thing.....Kirkland brand is on the 'good' list.
I'm for moderation when using refined foods (such as white flour). This is a lovely bread to have once in a while....
http://www.theprudenthomemaker.com/rosemary-olive-oil-bread
Cooking Oil
Vegetable oil, avocado oil, corn oil, canola oil, etc....needs to be rotated on a yearly basis.
Butter / Margarine
We read 'don't buy margarine, just buy butter', but for some
it might depend upon what is affordable within their budget. Best way to prolong what you buy is to freeze it. Keep in original packaging, put into gallon zip-loc bags to further protect it.
Shortening
I have used/stored Crisco and store brand shortening, also Spectrum. I like to use shortening for greasing pans when baking. We also use it in baking mix, biscuits, and southern style dumplings. Have also used either half shortening and half butter or Spectrum brand.
Yeast
Keep unopened in freezer for longest storage. It also helps that it is vacuum packed. We buy the lb. packages two at a time, put them as is into gallon zip-loc bag marked with date of purchase, keep in freezer. Then when opening one lb. of yeast, that goes into a glass jar to be kept in fridge. This isn't the brand I find at our store, although in the past it was the only kind I could find in this larger package. This gives you an idea of what the vacuum pack will look like, as if the yeast was one solid block (but it is not)....
Vital Wheat Gluten
Wheat Gluten can have a shelf life of up to 7-10 years if unopened and stored in ideal storage conditions. Once opened best to use within 6 months or so, but does not need refrigeration. Using in bread making only takes a Tablespoon or two per loaf. Can also be used to make 'meat' substitute.
Many brands sell in small bags such as from Bob's Red Mill, this will not store 7 to 10 years, maybe about 2 unopened.
Or buy in bulk form, then you can choose how much to buy.
Wheat Gluten in #10 cans, makes for a longer storage time. I suggest that you read entire post, it has helpful information. Honeyville is a good company:
http://shop.honeyville.com/vital-wheat-gluten.html
Instructions / recipes for 'meat' substitute using vital wheat gluten:
http://www.preparednesspro.com/wheat-meat-success
http://www.preparednesspro.com/great-wheat-meat-recipes
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/homemade-sausages.html
https://toocheapforpinenuts.wordpress.com/tag/vital-wheat-gluten-flour/
http://mayabugs.com/blog/american-european-fusion-recipes/vegetarian-reubens-w-homemade-seitan/
Baking Powder
Rumford's is the best brand in my opinion, it is aluminum free. I ask my local health food store to order this in for me, it is around $12.00 and is kept in my cold (under 60) storage room when not using. The company says 2 year storage life, but have to say mine is still good and it is over 4 years old.
Baking Soda
We bought the very large bag at Sam's Club and used part of it to fill an empty Rumford's container (like the one above), then labeled it 'Baking Soda'. Has lasted over 4 years in our cold storage room.
Jam and Jelly
We like freezer strawberry jam. Also have made freezer raspberry jam, and sometimes peach jam. When making freezer jam, I use the **[no-cook] instant clear jel so there is no cooking involved and less sugar is needed so it retains a fresh berry taste. You must combine the clear jel with sugar before adding to the fresh crushed fruit. This jam stores for a year in freezer.
Read about instant clear jel here, this brand is on Amazon prime for $10.45, a 16 oz. bag:
http://www.barryfarm.com/nutri_info/thickeners/clear_jel_instant.htm
Instant clear jel in a #10 can:
http://rainydayfoods.com/clear-jel-instant-2-5.html
**instant pudding using this same instant jel:
http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/homemade-no-cook-instant-pudding-mix-make-ahead-mondays/
Also, for longer storage, we bottle raspberry jam, apricot jam, sometimes other fruit jams with regular amounts of the sugar recommended, as well as making 100% grape juice jelly and sometimes other 100% fruit juice jellies, NO corn syrup added like many brands now use in jams/jellies, and if you do find it to buy, without the high fructose corn syrup, it is spendy. We rotate on a 5 to 10 year cycle....it keeps a long time because of the sugar content. For these jams/jellies use 'premium fruit pectin'....
Honey
Caution: do not give honey to children under 1 year of age.
Will store indefinitely, but with time tends to crystallize. Never store in tin cans, the acid in the honey will eat away the metal. Store in glass or food grade plastic.
http://selfreliantschool.com/honey-use-wonderous-natural-substance/
Molasses
We like the 'unsulphured' .... the sulfured kind has an off taste that lingers in cooking/baking.
Molasses Cookies
[I'd put half whole wheat flour in these cookies]
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/chewy-molasses-cookies-51205630
Pancake Syrup
So many choices, or make your own!!
Real maple syrup is less sweet tasting. If choosing this, it tastes great mixed in some softened butter to spread on pancakes or waffles.
Sugar
Stores indefinitely. I'd say if you/yours can tolerate/have sugar, even if you don't use it often right now, still is smart to have some in long term storage. If deciding to store in #10 cans, DO NOT use an oxy pack....the sugar will go hard as a rock.
Powdered Sugar
Stores indefinitely. We found a smallish food grade bucket and lid to store our supply of powdered sugar. Since it isn't something we use often enough to have a big bucketful, the small bucket is just right!
Multi-Vitamins
This is such an individual choice. Have something on hand that you like and use, then rotate it/keep it stocked ahead. In emergencies where multi-vitamins might not be available or your supply dwindles: sprouting will help increase the intake of vitamins and minerals. Wheat and lentils would be my choice of what I have on hand that could be sprouted. If you want to buy Alfalfa seeds, that would be a great addition for sprouting.
Vitamin C
So many choices.....will give 2 suggestions here. Have enough for 1 per day, and rotate supply.... We like Nature's Way Vitamin C 1000 with rose hips.
This is my choice for Ester-C, but they have a variety to choose from, so you might want to check out their website or on Amazon.....
Advil / Aspirin / Herbs
Or other pain relievers you/yours would like to keep on hand. Stagger buying it so the use by date is also staggered to prolong storage timing.
We stock several kinds of herbs for medicinal and health purposes, and have had amazing success over the years using herbs.
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