Dec 8-13 Meal Plan

Things are certainly getting busier these weeks before Christmas. Most things last week were slow cooker recipes.

• Chicken Corn Chowder
• Beef and Veggie Soup
• Sausage and Lentil Soup
• Buttermilk Rye Bread (in the bread machine) 

All soups made with homemade chicken or beef stock, and seasonal (stored) veggies. 

Beef brisket in spiced brine.

I did also take some time last week to start some corned beef - a brisket in a brine solution for several days. The recipe uses beet juice to help with the pink color! It sat in the solution for a few days before boiling, and made some tasty corned beef.

Water kefir.

I also restarted some of my ferments this past week. I have maintained a sourdough culture for many years now, and also a yogurt and buttermilk culture for a year or so. 

I am trying to start up a batch of purchased dry water kefir grains, and so far, not much activity.

I also have an older Kombucha scoby from the fridge that I am trying to bring back to life.

My attempt at milk kefir ended with accidentally feeding the grains to the chickens, thinking it was bad yogurt. I will them again at some point...

Each of them needs their own space, so there have been funny looking jars spread all over the kitchen recently. Hubby doesn't even ask anymore. :)