Free article Archives - Backwoods Home Magazine

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...

Battery powered weekend retreat

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM Issue #83 • September/October, 2003 Blake McKinney owned several acres of beautiful deep forest wilderness along a fast-moving year-round fishing stream that was perfect for a planned weekend retreat. Mr. McKinney,...

Broody biddies make sense on the homestead

By James Kash Issue #139 • January/February, 2013 Broodiness is an avian behavior that is frowned upon in the world of agriculture. All industrial agriculturalists cull broody birds because the behavior inhibits production. But to frugal...

Food security 101: Part 1

By Rowena Aldridge Issue #138 • November/December, 2012 These days a lot of people are concerned, and rightly so, about their family's economic stability and security. Recently I've become aware of the ways in which I,...

Reload your own brass

By Dale Petry Issue #132 • November/December, 2011 Not long ago a friend called to say he had seen an unusual rifle at the local gun shop. Shortly after that call I found myself in possession...

This St. Bernard backwoods hero saved old Grandma’s life

By Margaret Wright Issue #35 • September/October, 1995 When we think of a backwoods dog we generally think of a Pyrenees, German Shepherd, or other breed of working dog. In our case, our family chose the...

Spicy Beef

Recipe of the Week Spicy Beef Courtesy of Elaine Driver Ingredients 8 ounces top round steak, fat trimmed, cut into strips 2 fresh hot chilis, minced 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1-1/2 tablespoons fresh cilantro,...

The Electoral College — How we elect the President

By John Silveira Issue #18 • November/December, 1992 I've been getting a lot of telephone calls from Oregon lately. My article is late again and Dave Duffy, the fellow who publishes this magazine, keeps...

Grouse Hunting — The Ultimate Joy of Autumn

By Linda Gabris Issue #83 • September/October, 2003 Nothing instills such excitement or makes my heart flutter louder than the sudden whir of a flushed out grouse. No matter how many times I've heard it, the...

Raspberry Pears with Chocolate Sauce

Recipe of the Week Raspberry Pears with Chocolate Sauce Courtesy of Lyle Staple Ingredients 2 cups cranberry/raspberry juice 1/2 cup port wine (optional) 1/2 cup raspberry syrup (use 1 cup if port wine is omitted) 3 2" x 1" strips...

In search of the perfect cup of coffee

By Richard Blunt Issue #68 • March/April, 2001 As an active member of the worldwide fraternity of "Java Junkies," I feel it is time that I stand up and be recognized for my contribution to the...

Avoiding common canning mistakes

By Jackie Clay-Atkinson Issue #142 • July/August, 2013 Canning has been an important part of my life since I was a young girl helping my mother and grandmother can in our Detroit basement. I loved the...

Boiled crawfish

Recipe of the Week Boiled crawfish Courtesy of James Robertson You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1 sack of live crawfish (35-40 lbs.) 2 26-oz. boxes of salt 5 medium onions, halved 1/2 4-oz. bottle...