Tag: Homesteading

  • How to Make Chicken Bone Broth in a Roaster Oven

    There’s nothing quite as satisfying as making your own chicken bone broth—especially when it’s slow-cooked to perfection in a roaster oven. This method allows you to extract all the goodness from bones and veggie scraps while keeping your stovetop free for other projects. Bone broth is not only comforting and flavorful but also packed with nutrients that support gut health, joint health, and immunity. Plus, it’s an excellent way to reduce food waste!

    Here’s how to turn your chicken bones and vegetable scraps into a nourishing broth.

    What You’ll Need

    Chicken Bones: Use the carcass from a whole roasted chicken or the bones from raw chicken. If you’re making this from scratch, roast a whole chicken and save the bones for the broth.

    Vegetable Scraps: Onion peels, celery tops, carrot ends, garlic skins, and herbs (like parsley or thyme) are all fair game. Keep a freezer bag for scraps and add to it over time.

    Optional Extras: A splash of apple cider vinegar (helps draw minerals from the bones), salt, peppercorns, and bay leaves for flavor.

    Water: Enough to cover everything in the roaster.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

    1. Gather your bones: If using a whole chicken, remove most of the meat (save it for another dish), but don’t worry about being meticulous. A little leftover meat or skin will add flavor.

    2. Sort your vegetable scraps: Avoid overly strong flavors like broccoli or cabbage, which can make the broth bitter. Stick with mild, aromatic vegetables like carrots, celery, onions, and garlic.

    Step 2: Assemble in the Roaster Oven

    1. Place the chicken bones and vegetable scraps into the roaster.

    2. Add any optional seasonings like bay leaves, peppercorns, or a few sprigs of fresh herbs.

    3. Pour in a splash (1-2 tablespoons) of apple cider vinegar. This helps extract minerals from the bones as they cook.

    4. Cover everything with cold water, leaving a few inches of space at the top.

    Step 3: Cook Low and Slow

    1. Set your roaster oven to 400F until you notice bubbling, then lower the temp to 250-350F.

    2. Cover the roaster with its lid and let the broth cook for 24-30 hours. Longer cook times result in a richer, more nutrient-dense broth.

    3. Check occasionally to ensure the water level hasn’t dropped too low. Add hot water if needed to keep the bones and veggies submerged.

    Step 4: Strain and Store

    1. Once the broth has reached your desired richness (it should be golden and fragrant), turn off the roaster and let it cool slightly.

    2. Use a slotted spoon to remove large bones and vegetables. Then pour the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl or pot to remove any remaining solids.

    3. Let the broth cool completely. Skim off any fat that solidifies on the top if desired.

    Storage Tips

    Refrigerator: Store broth in mason jars or airtight containers for up to a week.

    Freezer: Pour cooled broth into freezer-safe containers, leaving room for expansion, or freeze in ice cube trays for smaller portions. Frozen broth will keep for 6-12 months.

    Ways to Use Your Bone Broth

    • Sip it warm from a mug for a comforting drink.

    • Use it as a base for soups, stews, and sauces.

    • Cook grains like rice or quinoa in broth for added flavor and nutrition.

    Pro Tips

    • For an extra gelatinous broth, include chicken feet or wings, as they’re rich in collagen.

    • Roast raw bones and vegetables in the oven at 400°F for 30-40 minutes before adding them to the roaster for a deeper flavor.

    Making chicken bone broth in a roaster oven is an easy, hands-off way to create a nutrient-packed staple for your kitchen. It’s a great way to use what you already have while filling your home with the cozy, savory aroma of slow-simmered broth. Once you make it this way, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought!

  • Cold vs Hot Process Soap: Which is Better?

    When diving into the world of handcrafted soap, you’ll quickly discover two main methods: cold process and hot process. Both techniques create beautiful, skin-nourishing bars, but they each have unique qualities. At Smith Creek Farmstead, we’ve chosen hot process soap-making to craft our herbal goat milk soaps—and for good reason! Here’s a breakdown of the differences and why hot process is the perfect fit for our homestead-inspired products.

    Cold Process Soap: The Basics

    Cold process soap-making involves mixing oils and lye, pouring the mixture into molds, and allowing it to saponify (the process where oils and lye turn into soap) over 4–6 weeks of curing. This method is popular for its smooth texture and creative possibilities, such as intricate designs and vibrant colors.

    Pros of Cold Process Soap:

    • Smooth, polished finish.

    • Longer working time for intricate designs.

    • Great for delicate essential oils, as the process generates less heat.

    Cons of Cold Process Soap:

    • Requires a long curing time.

    • The lye solution can be intimidating for beginners.

    • Less rustic, “homestead” feel.

    Hot Process Soap: Why We Love It

    Hot process soap, on the other hand, uses heat to speed up the saponification process. The soap mixture is cooked (usually in a slow cooker) until it reaches a gel-like consistency before being poured into molds. It’s ready to use after just a few days of curing, although a longer cure improves the bar’s hardness and longevity.

    Pros of Hot Process Soap:

    1. Faster Turnaround: While cold process soap takes weeks to cure, hot process soap is usable almost immediately. For homesteaders who value efficiency, this is a game-changer.

    2. Rustic Aesthetic: Hot process soap has a textured, rustic look that reflects its handcrafted origins—perfect for our farm-to-skin philosophy.

    3. Enhanced Herbal Benefits: The heat allows us to infuse our goat milk soaps with rich, natural herbs and botanicals, ensuring maximum skin-loving properties.

    4. Resourceful and Practical: Hot process soap fits beautifully into a homesteading lifestyle. It’s simple, straightforward, and sustainable—qualities we strive for on our own limited acreage.

    Cons of Hot Process Soap:

    • Less time for intricate designs. (We embrace the natural look!)

    • A chunkier texture that may not appeal to everyone.

    Why We Choose Hot Process for Our Soaps

    At Smith Creek Farmstead, our mission is to create products that are not only luxurious but also deeply rooted in the values of holistic skincare. Hot process soap aligns perfectly with this goal:

    Handcrafted Heritage: The rustic charm of hot process soap mirrors the simplicity and authenticity of homesteading.

    Goat Milk Goodness: Using heat allows us to retain the nourishing properties of goat milk while creating a bar that feels rich and creamy on your skin.

    Sustainability: Hot process soap-making requires fewer additives and less waiting time, making it an efficient option for small-batch production on a homestead.

    Experience the Difference

    Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or just starting your journey, our hot process herbal goat milk soaps bring a touch of the farm to your daily routine. Each bar is lovingly crafted with natural ingredients, sustainable practices, and a commitment to quality.

    Curious to see what makes hot process soap so special? Explore our collection here and discover why we’ve fallen in love with this time-honored method.

    Ready to embrace a simpler, more sustainable way of life? Hot process soap is just the beginning! Follow our blog for more tips on homesteading, natural living, and crafting your own DIY creations.