I still haven't finished those Father's Day photos -- got side-tracked with scanning old family photo negatives, which is just too fun -- so the Penang journal is on hold for another couple of days. In the meantime, I have other topics to discuss, believe it or not!
Today I stepped away from the computer. (It happens on occasion.) I decided to do a couple of 5-minute DIY projects I've been meaning to try. First, I made a 1-step baby sling/wrap. Instructions:
- Cut a 4.25 meter piece of fabric in half width-wise (about 25 inches or so).
Unless you're worried about frayed edges, that's it! Now I can try this backpack style of babywearing I've been dying to do:
What I've learned: It's better to have a lightweight piece of fabric, mine is too heavy/bulky.
Then on to my next project. While Regin and I were having lunch, I decided to work out my arms a little and make some butter! I got the idea from Crunchy Chicken, one of the eco/green-living blogs I subscribe to. It's the easiest, funnest science experiment I have ever done! Instructions:
- Fill a jar with leftover cream (I used whipping cream).
- Cover and sing the following disco song with me: Shake, shake, shake! Shake, shake, shake! Shake your cream! Shake your cream!
- Eventually the butter starts to separate from the buttermilk and you shake some more until there is a big old lump in the jar.
- Drain the butter, lightly squeezing the buttermilk out of it.
- Add salt if desired.
- Eat!
Woah! So fun! First it went thick, then grainy after a few minutes, then seconds later it separated and the lump and thin liquid appeared. Here are some pics of my experiment.
The draining lump of butter.
Sampling the results. Yum!
What I learned: Make sure the jar is half empty so you have lots of air to shake up the cream, otherwise you'll be shaking much longer. I still have to figure out how to drain/squeeze off the buttermilk without losing the butter through the strainer.
I've been thinking more and more lately that we've been scammed into believing that we can't make things for ourselves, that it's too difficult and we need to buy things in the store instead. These two projects are part of my proof that it's all BS! The babycarrier industry is sucking you dry for no reason! Those slings and carriers are SO expensive, but you can just tie a piece of $5 fabric around you and that's all you need! And why do I need to buy butter, when I could just buy cream cheaper, and make butter with the leftovers. It could be part of my workout! (Though it doesn't really take long enough to be a workout.) And by the way, it's the tastiest butter you've ever had.
10 comments:
Try placing the butter in some cheese cloth - or the like - and squeeze away.
Hugs,
Stacey
You know, when we drain yogurt, we use a "cheese cloth." This is a cloth much like cloth diaper: very fine and soft. You can get all the water our without losing any of the butter!
Rose
p.s.
I just realized that someone else already told you to do that. :\
hey kera
We have a magazine with easy recipes for making scheese such as mozzarella and other soft cheeses.
We did want to try those ourselves, so now we must!!
mamma
I was thinking cheese cloth, although I suspect I can't squeeze too hard as the butter is kind of soft, do you think that means I have to shake some more to get it harder? After being in the fridge, it was like a rock!
Other thing -- I haven't seen cheesecloth here. :(
Mamma -- Jamie Oliver also had a recipe for some fresh soft cheese that was pretty cool/simple. I forget what it was called. Something Italian. Are you impressed that I made butter???? It was even better than Lurpak!
I have been looking for cheese cloth here in the states (for photography though, not for cooking ,lol) and when I ask for it people look at me like I have two heads. They have no idea what I'm talking about. Where is it sold?
in the baking section of the grocery store. not sure if they sell it elsewhere
Thanks! I'll have to look for it the next time I am there. I am not sure why I didn't look at the grocery store to begin with. I went to specialty stores. Anway, I will have to try the butter too. Mmmmm, homemade butter on popcorn!
Hey since we're on the topic of cheesecloth, anyone know how I can wash and reuse it? There are so many potential uses, and I think it will help me in my quest to be rid of plastic products, but it comes out mangled out of the washer. Do I have to wash by hand? Maybe sew the edges? Are there higher quality cheesecloths?
O.K. So I used to be a domestic goddess - apparently not so much anymore. Too much time sittin' on my bum in front of a computer screen full of numbers. I shook & shook & shook but no butter. I was SO disappointed!! Then I put the cream in the stand mixer and whipped away FOREVER!! Still, no butter. So, what's the trick? I used one cup - how much did you use? What kind of cream did you use - was it from cow's milk or some magic Malaysian goat cream? ; ) Certainly didn't need any cheesecloth, that's for sure. Have you been able to find anything like it yet? I'm not sure it could stand up to being washed (I'm thinking in a washing machine or dishwasher) - I'm thinking it will be completely deformed when it's all said and done. Try soaking it in some warm soapy water and then rinsing REALLY well.
Y'all are looking GREAT!
Hugs,
Stacey
Post a Comment