Family Drills and recipes

Practice drills for your family are a good way to remind your family what to do in case of emergencies. Today for your family time, take a bit of time to review what your family would do if there were a fire in the house. Go through each room in the house and point our two exits for each room. Then have the kids go and act as if they are doing something they would do each day, when all of a sudden someone yells fire! Have them go through the mock emergency, and their escape routes. You might also want to pair up your kids so that they have a buddy system to ensure that the younger ones have an older one responsible to help them. Or one adult to one or two children as a buddy system. This way you know who you are each responsible for and then the parent is responsible to check in with each of the older ones. Practicing for emergencies will help us to keep calmer in emergencies. It is a well known fact that when in emergencies we all tend to not think clearly, so if we have practiced, then we won't have to think too hard, it will be a natural reaction of what we should do. Preparedness is not living in fear. Preparedness is being aware of things that could happen, so we know how to act responsibly, and confidently, with clear minds. Preparedness is peace of mind!

FOCACCIA BREAD

2 cups warm water 1 tbsp yeast

1/4 cup olive oil         3 cloves garlic

1 tbsp salt         6 cups flour

1 cup fine diced onion 2 tbsp sugar

1/4 cup oil         other spices or herbs as you desire. 

Combine water and yeast; add oil, flour, salt, and sugar to the water and mix. Knead in the onion, garlic and other spices. Spread the dough on a cookie sheet, or in a dutch oven, and let rise. Brush dough with oil and seasonings.

Bake in oven at 350 for 30 minutes or until done. For dutch oven, bake with 8 – 10 coals under and 14 – 16 on top for 35 – 45 min.

During the last 5 min of the baking brush the top of the loaf with oil again. The bread should be golden brown and sound hollow to tap.

PIONEER STEW

Makes 8 servings

1 1/4 Cups dried pinto beans (Or kidney beans)

1 (15 oz) can undrained whole kernel corn

1 tsp. salt 1 (15 oz) can undrained tomatoes

1/2 -1lb. ground beef 

1/2 Cup chopped onion 

1/2 Cup minced green pepper

1/2 Cup shredded sharp American cheese

6 - 8 Cups cold water 

1/2 tsp. chili powder 

3/4 tsp. salt

In large saucepan place washed and drained beans, cold water and salt. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour. Return to heat and simmer 1 hour and 15 minutes. In skillet cook ground beef, chopped onion, and green pepper until meat is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain off fat. Add meat mixture, corn, tomatoes, chili powder and salt to beans. Simmer 20 minutes. Combine 1 Tbsp flour with 2 Tbsp water. Stir into stew. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in cheese.

Mexican Supper Casserole

1/4 c. dehydrated onion

2 cans chili with beans

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can chopped black olives

1 cup shredded processed cheese

1 package or recipe corn muffin mix

In a large skillet mix onion, chili, corn, and olives; bring to boiling. Add cheese and stir to melt. Pour into 8x11 baking pan. Prepare muffin mix according directions. Spoon dough over top of casserole. Bake at 400 for 15 – 20 min. Serves 8.