Katidids

Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.

It's learning to look past life's imperfections





Looking for knitting updates? Find them here!
Katidids Knits

Be sure and say Hi!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Decanted Shortening

Well it worked!  Debbie sent me a U-tube link (I always forget about U-tube) and I decanted the shortening to jars. Why did I do this???  I don’t use a lot of shortening as a general rule and it sits in the pantry forever. The last can I had turned a brownish yellow if that gives you an idea how old it was & the expiration date was 2009.  I wanted to preserve it in smaller usable sizes.  Yes, I could have purchased a smaller can but, for less than a dollar more I got 3 times that amount.

I wanted to make some biscuits a while back and bought can…for what ever reason the biscuits didn’t get made.  Last week, I bought more shortening obviously forgetting I’d already purchased a can.  GAH!!  So now I have 6 lbs. of shortening …But that’s ok, I’m sure I’ll find more uses with winter baking.

Back to the video…the only issue I see is it looks like she has the can directly on the burner  Epic accident waiting to happen!

I put my can in a large pot of hot water (2-3inches) and slowly let it melt that way on the lowest flame setting.

If you do this, be sure and stir and loosen the bottom to let it “vent” constantly.  I was 2 ft. away washing jars and it vented on its own….as in a spout of melted shortening shooting up on my stove and cabinets.   That happened less than 2 minutes after the last stir.

IMG_1202

I did not hot water bath these.  I will however store them in the fridge till I have the tube for my jar sealer. How long will they last?  NOOOOO Idea.  There was no expiration date on either of my new cans. I checked the paper wrap, the inside foil seal, the lid and bottom.  NADA!  Kinda scary huh?  So, I have 7 full pints and a partial ready to use.

And Drum roll please…………

***

I finally made perfect bread!!!!!

Thank you (Insert curtsey here) you’re to kind

IMG_1203

No mush or dough when slicing & it’s weight does not resemble a doorstop!

IMG_1204

Feelin pretty sassy and proud of myself after that one! 

I decided on some comfort food that night and we were having sausage gravy and biscuits for supper..because you know I have 6 lbs. of shortening I need to start using.

Now, I’ve made drop biscuits before….many many times and they turn out pretty darn good. Usually I toss the batch in the pan & you’ll have light and fluffy pan biscuits ready for butter and honey…..

Well, I waited for them to rise, and waited, and waitedIMG_1205

Well, did you know baking powder has an expiration date? 

I didn’t. 

Checking the can it expired in 2004. 

Time for a spice cabinet purge!

Mr. Fix-It (bless his heart) ate them anyway.

Think I owe that man a pie.

Have a great weekend

Katie

Technorati Tags: ,,

5 comments:

  1. Oh Katie, I am so glad that the u-tube video helped and it worked! Congrats on the bread. It is such a great skill to have but can be tricky until you find the right method. Have fun with the pie baking! ;0)

    ReplyDelete
  2. By the way, I would love your bread recipe! :0)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Its so much fun to bake isn't it?I think the bread is the best.I have a great time making pumpkin pies.It can be frustrating to want to cook and find expired stuff in the cabinet.Alot of times I use mine up quick.I may go on a bread baking spree tomorrow lol.Aren't those u-tube videos great to learn from?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Baking is a womans little secret to relaxation :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I tried baking bread in my croc pot (I don't have an oven) and it worked a treat! It was so delicious!
    www.AhkaVintage.com

    ReplyDelete

Hey! Thanks for stopping in I love hearing from my bloggy friends!
Katie