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Home » Homestead Recipes » Cooking From Scratch

Cooking From Scratch

What does it mean to cook from scratch? That’s a question I’m asked often. Some people believe it means you need to grow or produce every ingredient. They imagine you milking your cow, making cheese, plucking ripe tomatoes from your garden, and milling your own grains.

Although those things are absolutely from scratch and sound quite wonderful, that’s not practical for most people! Many of us live in suburban areas or apartments that don’t quite accommodate poultry or livestock.

I consider cooking from scratch to mean cooking with the simplest ingredients. Everyone has their own ideas of how simple they need to go, but I like to keep things easy around here. No one has time to stress themselves out wondering if they’re doing something wrong eating boxed pasta or store-bought cheese!

Do what you can with what you have. Especially if you’re just starting to cook from scratch, focus on baby steps!

I buy store-bought pasta sauce and salsas. We eat frozen veggies and canned veggies, especially during the off-season.

There’s no shame in doing what’s right for your family and budget, so no food shaming around here!

My hope is that you’ll find lots of delicious recipes to feed and nourish your family and hopefully have some fun along the way. That’s it!

Chocolate Chunk Pecan Cookies with Brown Butter

Chocolate Chunk Pecan Cookies with Brown Butter

Brownie Mix in a Jar + Printable Tags

Brownie Mix in a Jar + Printable Tags

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar + Printable Tags

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar + Printable Tags

Big Bakery-Style Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Big Bakery-Style Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe {Makes 2 Loaves}

Soft Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe {Makes 2 Loaves}

20+ Creative Garlic Scape Recipes to Use Your Harvest

20+ Creative Garlic Scape Recipes to Use Your Harvest

Old-Fashioned Pudding Mixes {Butterscotch, Chocolate + Vanilla}

Old-Fashioned Pudding Mixes {Butterscotch, Chocolate + Vanilla}

Spiced Cranberry Compound Butter Recipe + Printable Gift Tags

Spiced Cranberry Compound Butter Recipe + Printable Gift Tags

Lazy Girl’s Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles {Single Batch}

Lazy Girl’s Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles {Single Batch}

Homemade Lemon Balm Pesto

Homemade Lemon Balm Pesto

Cardamom Blondies

Cardamom Blondies

Celery Root Puree {Celeriac Puree}

Celery Root Puree {Celeriac Puree}

Chewy Lemon Brownies (Lemon Blondies)

Chewy Lemon Brownies (Lemon Blondies)

Lemon Blueberry Blondies

Lemon Blueberry Blondies

Cozy Brown Sugar Apple Blondies

Cozy Brown Sugar Apple Blondies

Creamy Baked Brie Pasta with Butternut Squash

Creamy Baked Brie Pasta with Butternut Squash

The Best Fresh Milled Flour Pancakes

The Best Fresh Milled Flour Pancakes

Homemade Hazelnut Granola with Maple & Cinnamon {Oil-Free}

Homemade Hazelnut Granola with Maple & Cinnamon {Oil-Free}

Easy Chocolate Date Bark Recipe {with Walnut Butter}

Easy Chocolate Date Bark Recipe {with Walnut Butter}

What is an “Ingredient Household” and How to Become One?

What is an “Ingredient Household” and How to Become One?

Glazed Honey Gingerbread Cookies + Printable Tags

Glazed Honey Gingerbread Cookies + Printable Tags

Easy Glazed Eggnog Scones

Easy Glazed Eggnog Scones

Homemade Walnut Butter Recipe

Homemade Walnut Butter Recipe

Easy Dark Chocolate Covered Pecans Recipe

Easy Dark Chocolate Covered Pecans Recipe

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rachael from milk glass home in a kitchen with a water bath canner and apple butter.
Hi, I'm Rachael!

I’m a self-taught home cook, gardener, and former farmers’ market manager who loves slow, seasonal living.

My kitchen is always full of baskets of seasonal produce, cookies cooling, and the next batch of jars ready for the canner. It’s a little messy and definitely chaotic, but always creative, delicious, and full of fun.

No shortcuts, no canned cream-of-anything soups; just real food, old-fashioned skills, and a little inspiration to bring the seasons into your own kitchen.

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