Survival storeroom

By David Eddings Issue #130 • July/August, 2011 This story begins in the mid-nineties when the Y2K threat was in the news. Several members of my family thought it would be prudent if we started stocking...

A view of self-reliance from a more timid perspective — A woman’s opinion

By Claire Wolfe Issue #94 • July/August, 2005 My fellow Backwoods Home writer Jackie Clay is a domestic wonder woman who can do anything from can kumquats to butcher an elk. Not me. Unh uh. No way....

The return of home emergency shelters takes on a dual-purpose approach

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM Issue #74 • March/April, 2002 After September 11, 2001, all of us became much more concerned with protecting our families from biological, nuclear, and terrorist attacks. However, if you followed up...

The fire wick fire starter

By Len McDougall Issue #114 • November/December, 2008 When my hunting buddy Dar met me for lunch at our rendezvous point, he said he doubted we could make a small cookfire on the wet, snow-covered ground....

Chicken chili

Recipe of the Week  Chicken chili  Courtesy of Arthur Vernon II   You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 5 Tbsp. vegetable oil 3 large onions, chopped (about 6 cups) 3 fresh or canned jalapeño peppers,...

Foraging for wild berries

By Kristina Seleshanko Issue #176 • April/May/June, 2019 I had just posted a photo online of some wild berries I was going to preserve, when suddenly I was inundated with messages: “Are those really safe to...

Boston brown bread

Recipe of the Week  Boston brown bread  Courtesy of Darlene Campbell   You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1-1/2 cups yellow cornmeal 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1-1/3 cups milk 1-1/3 cups...

Homemade baking extracts

By Linda Zimnick Issue #157 • January/February, 2016 Every cook or baker has a secret or two they keep tucked in their apron pocket. My secret? Homemade flavoring extracts. They are simple to make and the...

Body language and threat recognition

By Massad Ayoob Issue #87 • May/June, 2004 Reader mail indicates that while some Backwoods Home readers turn to this column for advice on putting wild game on the table or keeping four-footed poachers out of...

Nameless salad and dressing

Recipe of the Week  Nameless salad and dressing  Courtesy of Rodney Merrill   You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Salad Ingredients 2 cups lettuce, coarsely diced 3 stalks green onion, 1/4-inch slices 1 medium tart green...

Potato soup

Recipe of the Week  Potato soup  Courtesy of Alice Brantley Yeager   You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 4 cups peeled, diced Irish (white) potatoes 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped 3 Tbsp. flour 1...

Ribeye Steak with Chianti Sauce

Recipe of the Week  Ribeye Steak with Chianti Sauce  Courtesy of Ellen Lancer  Ingredients 4 boneless ribeye steaks 2 Tablespoons peanut oil Salt and pepper 1 Cup Chianti 1/2 Cup beef stock 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 Tablespoon shallots,...

Spicy Beef and Peppers

Recipe of the Week  Spicy Beef and Peppers  Courtesy of Yvonne Melillo  Ingredients 2 lb sirloin steak, cut in 1/2 inch strips 2 bell peppers, cut in strips 2 cups chopped onion 6 green chiles, skinned, seeded, chopped 2 teaspoons fresh...

Just for Kids: Life in the forest

By Lucy Shober Issue #34 • July/August, 1995 Click on pictures for printable, full-sized versions to color. "It's a jungle out there!" You've probably heard that phrase time and again, but did you ever stop and ponder...

Food security 101: part 2 — Convenience mixes make life easier

By Rowena Aldridge Issue #139 • January/February, 2013 Last issue we talked about some things you can do to stretch your food budget and make great use of every bit of food you buy. This article...

Build A Hybrid Go-Kart For Kids For $150

By Dorothy Ainsworth Website Exclusive • May, 2010 Grandma Clara used to delight in telling us the story of our Dad's first complete sentence at age 2 when he received a toy car for Christmas: "It's...