Can I Safely Cook Chicken in a Solar Oven? And Other Useful Tips and Information on Solar Cooking

Can meat be cooked safely in a solar oven?
How does the sun cook your food?
These are just a couple of many questions that come up in my classes when people are first introduced to the concept of solar cooking.
In fact they are probably two of the most frequently asked questions due to concerns related to food illnesses that are an inherent risk in food preparation, more particularly when it comes to meat.
Nevertheless, if traditional food handling and cooking safety guidelines are followed and if suggestions and guidelines for using a solar cooker are followed, then it is possible to cook any variety of meat safely and deliciously.
Most all professionally manufactured solar cookers are capable of reaching and sustaining the requisite temperatures needed for cooking meats and all other types of foods.
And most, well built, home made solar cookers can perform the same task just as well or better than a commercially manufactured cooker.
So, just how does the sun cook the food inside of a solar cooker?
Solar cooking is done by means of the suns UV rays, it is not the sun's heat that cooks the food, nor is it the outside ambient temperature, though this can somewhat affect the rate or time required to cook, but rather it is the suns rays that are converted to heat energy and this heat energy is then retained by the pot and the food by means of a covering. In much the same way that a greenhouse retains heat or a car with its windows rolled up. An effective solar cooker will use the energy of the sun to heat a cooking vessel and efficiently retain the energy (heat) for maximum cooking effectiveness.
This is best explained with a mental diagramming of the process.

• First, you would need a darkened or blackened pot with a lid. This can be a pot such as a cast iron Dutch oven, a black enameled roasting pan such as a chicken or turkey roaster or any pot that you might blacken on the outside with a non-toxic, weatherproof paint. Dark surfaces become very hot; they heat up more quickly than shiny surfaces which reflect the suns rays away.
• Then you will need to obtain a clear transparent covering such as a large glass bowl or a durable plastic oven cooking bag. This will be used for retention of heat and will also allow the rays of the sun to be able to penetrate to the darkened cooking pot and food, thus raising the cooking temperatures and preventing the heat from escaping.
• Next you will need a material that will reflect extra sunlight towards the cooking apparatus so as to concentrate the suns rays. This is usually accomplished in the form of some type of reflecting surface such as mirrors, aluminum foil and buffed tin or sheet metal. With the help of a reflecting surface you will be able to increase the temperatures and to cook the food more rapidly.

For more information on solar cooking tips, techniques and information please visit our on our website.

Become proficient in solar cooking and find out how easy it is to help your own budget by using tried and tested techniques for effective solar cooking. Solar cooker-at-cantinawest.com

How to Clean Fish

Step 1:

The first step in how to cook a fish is to gather all the necessary materials. You will need a good filet knife, sharpened, and a flat surface such as a kitchen counter or table. Be sure to have a waste can nearby to dispose of the innards and the bones. Before starting in with your knife, wash the fish in cool running water to remove any slime. Then, cut off the pectoral fins on both sides of the fish. Remove the scales by scraping the fish with the dull edge of a knife. Using short strokes, run the knife from head to tail. Skip this step you plan to skin the fish first.

Step 2: Gutting the fish

Hold the fish flat against your cutting board and make a slit from the under the anal fin near the tail up to the jaw. Cut through the belly, reaching the gills. Remove the guts with your fingers or a spoon. Scoop out the reddish-brown kidney line along the backbone. Cut out all of the gills. Rinse out the cavity with cool water.

Step 3: Removing the head and tail

The next few steps in how to clean a fish involve cutting off the tail and head. You should cut the head just below the gills. The tail should be removed where it joins the body.

Step 4: Cutting along the backbone

Lay the fish flat and cut across the body. Follow the backbone, but be careful not to cut through it. Once that's done, cut down along the rib bones all the way to the bottom of the fish. Continue by cutting along the bottom of the fish to remove the fillet. Turn the fish over and repeat this step.

Step 5: Removing the skins

Grasp the skin with your fingernails and cut down to the skin. Peel it away from the meat as you move the knife down. After you have removed the skin, you may want to cut out the ribs, so you end up with a boneless, skinless filet.

To store your filets, fill a zip lock bag or plastic container with some salt and water and place in the refrigerator. Or freeze them. Once you've mastered how to clean a fish, you'll be able to enjoy fresh fish hassle-free.

There are plenty of different ways to prepare Alaskan seafood. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has great recipes to help you create the perfect dish.

Food storage recipe - country gravy mix

This makes a lot. Make sure that you have something big to store this make ahead mix in. This is like the country gravy mix in the packages.

Need:

5 cups of all purpose flour

2 cups powdered milk

1/4 cup of coarse black pepper and salt

1/2 cup of cornstarch

Mix it up well. Store in an air tight container.

When wanting to use take a couple of tablespoons of bacon drippings and heat it up. Sprinkle 3 - 4 heaping tablespoon fulls of the mix over the bacon grease. Use a fork and whisk it together. Blend it very well. Until there are no lumps.

Add 1 1/2 cup of water. Whisk it well. Stir it and cook it until thickened. Stir very often and don't let it scorch.

Serve over biscuits or toast. Also good with meat and potatoes.

How to Stay Cool Without AC | The ReadyBlog

How to Stay Cool Without AC | The ReadyBlog 





Great tips for keeping cool without power.

Get prepared for an epidemic or pandemic

Anyone that watches the news knows that there are some nasty diseases out there that could easily turn into a pandemic or epidemic. Being prepared for one is the best insurance for your family. Have a plan. And buy Survival Kits so that your family is prepared. It would also be a good thing to have a room in your house that could be used for quarantine and for keeping all of the stuff away from the rest of the household.  Have emergency disaster and first aid kits handy. Keep them easily accessible and store them in places you spend the most time -- such as your home, car, and office.

Basic items that should be included in your kits are:
- First aid kit (bandages, non--latex gloves, towelettes, etc.)



Disaster first aid supplies:
Wound Care:
Sterile 4×4 gauze-1 package per family
Sterile 2×2 gauze-1 package per family
Clean 4×4 gauze-1 package per person
Clean 2×2 gauze-1 package per person
Large safety pins
Roller gauze-6-8 various sizes
Chemical ice packs
Band-aid style dressings
Butterfly bandages
Elastic bandages various sizes
Spray bottle of saline
Wound tape- paper, surgical tape, plaster
Sterile cotton swabs- 200
Sterilize and ointments:
Neosporin cream-1 per person
Hydrogen peroxide-2 bottles
Isopropyl alcohol- 2 bottles
Topical anti-infective agent) 2 bottles
Topical cream for insect bites etc. (Benadryl)
Tools:
Needle nose
Tweezers
Hemostat
Magnify Glass for removing splinters etc.
Glass thermometer rectal & oral
Paramedic shears
B.S.I. (Body Substance Isolation)
Vinyl medical gloves -2 boxes
N95 or similar masks- 2 boxes
Plain sanitary napkins- 1 package per person
OTC (over the counter) Medicines
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Aspirin
Advil
Stomach Medicines-Pepto Bismol, Prilosec, Imodium AD
Ipecac syrup
Allergy Medicines- Benadryl, Claritin
Hydration:
Pedialyte is great for the entire family.
Prescription Medications:
Every family has their own individual medications or specialty items; be sure to include those in your kit as well. One example is the "Epi-Pen" for a person with severe allergies or asthma. Always keep 30 days of prescription medications you use on an ongoing basis, in your home; don't wait until you run out to refill them.
Include these items in your disaster first aid kit and placed them in a durable container or bag. Check your disaster first aid kit supplies monthly for damage and expiration dates. A lot of first aid supplies like band-aids have a sterile date.

- Bottled water (1 gallon per day, per person is recommended. Stock up enough for at least 3 days)
- Non-perishable snacks and food
- Flashlight w/ batteries
- Portable AM/FM radio w/ batteries
- Whistle
- Emergency ponchos or thermal blankets
- Candles
- Dust masks
- Toiletries (tooth brushes, toilet paper, etc.)
- Plastic bags/trash bags
- Personal medication
- Emergency out-of-state contacts

Emergency response systems may be overwhelmed and unable to provide the community with immediate assistance when disaster strikes. Taking all the necessary steps mentioned above and being prepared with first aid and emergency disaster kits, will keep you and your family comfortable and safe in any unfortunate event. Survival Kits