Free article Archives - Backwoods Home Magazine

Build a deluxe barrel stove

By David Lee Issue #108 • November/December, 2007 Winter is coming again, pretty much on schedule in spite of global warming, and it will be cold, just like always. Having a reliable heating system makes winter...

Baked Beans, Two

Recipe of the Week Baked Beans This week we have two variations of baked beans. They came in at roughly the same time, so we thought we'd let you enjoy both recipes. Baked Beans, One Courtesy of Doreen...

Stovetop Teriyaki

Recipe of the Week Stovetop Teriyaki Courtesy of Alice Robertson Although this recipe calls for chicken, any meat or firm fish may be used. Ingredients 2 pounds Chicken tenders or boneless breast cut into 1inch thick strips 2 Tbsp. Peanut or...

Design calculations for no-head, low-head waterwheels

By Rudy Behrens Issue #17 • September/October, 1992 (This is the second of our three-part series on waterwheels. The third installation (Issue No. 18) will deal with overshot wheels. -- Editor.) For those of you who are...

Women and guns

By Massad Ayoob Issue #121 • January/February, 2010 In a time when what used to be called "the women's liberation movement" has achieved many of its goals in terms of equality and empowerment, the concept that...

Our energy crisis Part 3 — Alternative energy resources for the nation and for...

By John Silveira Issue #118 • July/August, 2009 The first installment of this energy series (Backwoods Home Magazine, September/October 2008) dealt with the fossil fuels which include petroleum, coal, and natural gas. The second installment (Backwoods...

City boy, country boy

By Margaret Wright Issue #33 • May/June, 1995 Anyone who has read or heard the story of the City Mouse and the Country Mouse knows the difference between a child from the city and a child...

Brining pickles by the quart or gallon

By Vicky Rose Issue #113 • September/October, 2008 The ancient art of brining pickles produces a product similar to the expensive "deli-style" pickles in the supermarket. The process is not difficult; however, older recipes call for...

The world is coming to an end… and this time, I’m not kidding

By John Silveira Issue #114 • November/December, 2008 If you haven't already heard, on September 10, 2008, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), located on the border of France and Switzerland, was turned on for a test...

Baked barbeque beans

Jackie Clay Ingredients 2 cups dried beans 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 lb. chopped ham or other smoked meat 1 cup barbecue sauce 1/2 tsp. salt dash black pepper 1 Tbsp. molasses 1 medium onion, chopped Method Soak beans overnight, adding a little baking soda...

Simplifying simplicity

By Claire Wolfe Issue #117 • May/June, 2009 In the bustling 19th century, Henry David Thoreau urged us to "simplify, simplify, simplify." In the even more hectic 20th and 21st centuries, writer, philosopher, and frugalista Wendy McElroy...

Creating and maintaining your own sourdough starter

By Emily Buehler Issue #97 • January/February, 2006 Most people know about sourdough starter—it can be used instead of yeast to make bread rise, resulting in bread with a sour flavor and a chewier texture. Bakers...

Lenie in the kitchen: Lemon scones, pound cake, and pie

Lenie in the kitchen Lemon scones, pound cake, and pie By Ilene Duffy Issue #165 • May/June, 2017 How did 28 years go by so quickly? It was a beautiful fall evening in November 1989 when I took...

Ham and sausage jambalaya

Recipe of the Week Ham and sausage jambalaya Courtesy of Tom Barth You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1/2 tsp. white pepper 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/2 tsp. paprika 1/2...

Forget the dog, chicken is man’s best friend

By Richard Blunt Issue #49 • January/February, 1998 The domestic chicken, or Gallus domesticus as the Romans called it, has lived with humans for centuries. It is probably the descendent of a wild asian bird, and...

Gun control, race, and rotten politicians

By John Silveira Issue #83 • September/October, 2003 Is gun control really about guns? Sounds like an odd question on the surface, but it's really right on target. In fact, the answer is: No, gun control...