Free article Archives - Backwoods Home Magazine

The greatest American who was never President

By John Silveira Issue #60a • November/December, 1999 "The election's next year, right?" I asked. Dave Duffy, the publisher of Backwoods Home Magazine, was editing a rather lengthy article on water. I don't know if he didn't...

The coffee mug knife sharpener

By Michael Cantrell Issue #105 • May/June, 2007 Not too long ago, I watched a man open his pocket knife by pulling it partway open to a wide L-shape with his hands, and then push it...

Jamaican Beef Patties

Recipe of the Week Jamaican Beef Patties Courtesy of Robert McCurdy Ingredients Pastry 2 cup flour 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 cup solid shortening 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine 1/3 cup cold water Meat Filling 2 tbs margarine 1 small white onion finely chopped 1/4 tsp chopped scotch bonnet...

Fermenting Chicken Feed

By Melissa Souza Issue #174 • November/December, 2018 On our homestead, we eat yogurt, kombucha (fermented tea), sauerkraut, and kimchi to add probiotics to our diet. These beneficial bacteria promote good digestive health, strengthen the immune...

The chicken and the egg

By Habeeb Salloum Issue #139 • January/February, 2013 One cannot think of our culinary world without chicken or eggs. Chicken is one of the world's most consumed meats and eggs are on the tables of the...

Dim bulbs in California

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM Issue #107 • September/October, 2007 By now many of us have heard that under a bill proposed by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D), the state of California is about to become the...

How to Install a Steel Roof

By Morgan Barker  Issue #159 • May/June, 2016 Steel roofing isn't just for factories and barns anymore. The choice to go steel is fast gaining popularity...

Thai fried rice

Recipe of the Week Thai fried rice Courtesy of John Silveira You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 6-8 oz. thinly sliced chicken (shrimp can be used *) 2-1/2 oz. cooking oil 1 egg 4 cups...

The incredible cattail — The super Wal-Mart of the swamp

By Kevin F. Duffy Issue #43 • January/February, 1997 I can think of no other North American plant that is more useful than the cattail. This wonderful plant is a virtual gold mine of survival utility....

Pysanki — You can make those biddies pay!

By Amy E. Peare Issue #86 • March/April, 2004 There are usually two problems with raising chickens. a) You have too many eggs, or b) you aren't getting enough eggs to warrant shelling out the bucks...

Life-saving snowshoes

By Len McDougall Issue #126 • November/December, 2010 If you live in or drive through places where winter generally means having snow on the ground from autumn till spring, you should have a functional pair of...

Thoughts on ammunition

By Massad Ayoob Issue #108 • November/December, 2007 Ammunition is to firearms as gasoline is to automobiles. However, with guns and ammo, the fit isn't quite so generic as just getting the right octane rating. Recent...

For health & comfort, try wild herbal teas

By Cynthia Andal Issue #76 • July/August, 2002 The mention of herbal teas brings to mind pleasant conversations in a warmly scented kitchen, aided by the fragrant steam of a cup of Fireweed tea. Completely aside from...

Tomato and coriander salad

Recipe of the Week Tomato and coriander salad Courtesy of Habeeb Salloum You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 5 medium-sized tomatoes, quartered, then thinly sliced 3/4 cup chopped fresh coriander leaves 1 tsp. salt...

Pistachio-Mocha Chicken

Recipe of the Week Pistachio-Mocha Chicken Courtesy of Minnie Gottfried Ingredients 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 cup coffee liquor Sauce 3 cups chicken stock 1 Tablespoon coffee liquor 3/4 cup pistachio meats 1 chile pepper, chopped 1/2 cup chopped onion 3 Tablespoons chopped...

Jerusalem artichokes with brown rice

Recipe of the Week Jerusalem artichokes with brown rice Courtesy of Richard Blunt You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced small 1 small...