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Home » Homestead Recipes » Cooking From Scratch » Page 8

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!

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How to Make Lavender Sugar (From Fresh or Dried Lavender)

Super Soft Sourdough Honey Wheat Bread {Active or Discard}

Super Soft Sourdough Honey Wheat Bread {Active or Discard}

7 Things to Do Right Now If You Feel Overwhelmed Meal Planning

7 Things to Do Right Now If You Feel Overwhelmed Meal Planning

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Zero Waste Meal Planning in 7 Easy Steps

How to Dry Green Onions or Scallions {Oven & Dehydrator}

How to Dry Green Onions or Scallions {Oven & Dehydrator}

How to Make Green Onion Salt

How to Make Green Onion Salt

Simplify Your Dinner Routine with a Minimalist Meal Planner

Simplify Your Dinner Routine with a Minimalist Meal Planner

Find The Right Swiss Chard Substitute for Any Recipe

Find The Right Swiss Chard Substitute for Any Recipe

Our 5 Favorite Kitchen Appliances that Make Cooking Easier

Our 5 Favorite Kitchen Appliances that Make Cooking Easier

Where to Buy Local Produce on a Budget

Where to Buy Local Produce on a Budget

12 Practical Sustainable Baking Tips to Reduce Your Waste

12 Practical Sustainable Baking Tips to Reduce Your Waste

Freestyle Cooking: The Cooking Skill Holding Back Most Beginners

Freestyle Cooking: The Cooking Skill Holding Back Most Beginners

14 Easy & Surprising Ways to Start Cooking Without Recipes Tonight

14 Easy & Surprising Ways to Start Cooking Without Recipes Tonight

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13 Clever Ways to Simplify Your Meal Planning Routine Today

Zero Waste Pantry Staples for Beginners

Zero Waste Pantry Staples for Beginners

The Ultimate List of Zero & Low Waste Frugal Food Hacks

The Ultimate List of Zero & Low Waste Frugal Food Hacks

Must-Have Baking Essentials for Beginners

Must-Have Baking Essentials for Beginners

The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up a Real Food Zero Waste Kitchen

The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up a Real Food Zero Waste Kitchen

5 Last Minute Dinners You Can Make From Your Pantry

5 Last Minute Dinners You Can Make From Your Pantry

Quick 30-Minute Butter Bean Chili {Instant Pot or Stove}

Quick 30-Minute Butter Bean Chili {Instant Pot or Stove}

Green Chile Egg Casserole with Sausage & Roasted Squash

Green Chile Egg Casserole with Sausage & Roasted Squash

How to Make Brown Sugar from Molasses (2 Ingredients!)

How to Make Brown Sugar from Molasses (2 Ingredients!)

Easy Pumpkin Pie Pudding Cups with Whipped Cream

Easy Pumpkin Pie Pudding Cups with Whipped Cream

Cookie-Inspired Oatmeal Pie Crust

Cookie-Inspired Oatmeal Pie Crust

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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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