Pantry Challenge 2024 | Week 3 |

#threeriverschallenge
Week 3 is done. So far, so good! How is the challenge going for you? Have you decided to keep going through February?
Recipes mentioned this week:
Keto Lasagna "noodles": • Cooking from the Pantr... starting at the 26:00 marker
Chicken Meatzas: thecastawaykitchen.com/crispy...
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies: thecastawaykitchen.com/chewy-... NOTE that she has altered this recipe and now includes an egg instead of the flax egg. You may sub 1T flax meal and 1T water for the egg, if you'd like.
00:00 Smoked Salmon
02:02 Grocery Shopping
18:05 Microgreens
26:53 Berkey
33:55 Chicken Meatza
43:07 Lasagna
46:04 Pancakes and Bacon
48:17 Update
51:48 Chewy Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
55:14 Leftovers
Explore Azure Standard: www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=...
Hero Keto Bread ($10 off your first $40 order through my link): rwrd.io/ya01lpl?c
My Amazon storefront where you'll find all the Amazon products I use and love (and for which I earn a small commission if you purchase through my link. Thank you!) www.amazon.com/shop/growandpr...
Harvest Right Affiliate Link: affiliates.harvestright.com/2.... I will earn a small commission if you purchase through this link. I greatly appreciate your support of this channel!
Altitude Adjustments for Water bath and Pressure Canning: www.ballmasonjars.com/adjust-...
Jar Lids: For an extra 10% off the only canning lids I buy these days, please use my ForJars affiliate link: forjars.co?sca_ref=2901432.VbUi032n6C and the Code: CARTER10. I have personally bought and used hundreds of these lids since 2021. Note that this is an affiliate link, and I will receive a small commission for which I am very grateful!
Amazon Affiliate Links most requested:
Mason Jar opener: amzn.to/42JrXAh
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving: amzn.to/3NEUJfh
Allulose: amzn.to/3PAF9ny
Presto Electric Canner: amzn.to/3XsdxTi
Steam Canner: amzn.to/3O6v4NG

[@marthawallen]

I’ve been doing my own version of a pantry challenge. I’m using up things from my pantry and my canning pantry. I haven’t bought much at all from the store this month but I did buy bacon on sale for $1.79 a pound. I’m trying to use up my older home canned foods and food from my freezer also. Like you, I like to challenge myself to be creative. Yesterday I was going to make hamburgers but we didn’t have any hamburger buns so I made some. It felt good to actually make them myself.

[@growandpreserve]

Go, Martha! It sounds like you're doing great. Who could resist $1.79 bacon?? Certainly not me!

[@ABlueDahlia]

I mean, honestly, it would be a CRIME to not purchase the bacon for that price! Sounds wonderful about the buns, too!

[@constancebeck2992]

I made my first this week also.

[@rebeccaberg6677]

I think you’re right, it must be the travel Berkey. We have the Royal and it’s a 3.25 gallon. We love ours.

[@DigitHomesteading]

LOVE IT ALL!! We are definitely going to try the cookies in the next week or so!

[@MTeelTeach]

I like the voice overs! Glad to have a video.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks so much for the feedback!

[@anetzband1383]

@@growandpreserve I like voice overs because I'm old and usually I hear and understand the voice overs much better!

[@ABlueDahlia]

Look forward to seeing that chicken meatzza video! Also got the hero bread bundles in, and didn't love it. We'll continue to eat them until they're gone though, but I'm glad I at least tried it! So grateful you posted today. You're always full of inspiration and it's lovely to watch your videos. So, I thank you very much! How do you like your new sink/faucet that was installed? Fully agree that the priming of the filters with the Berkey can be a bit of a pain. Mine had a silicon attachment that helped it fix to the sink in some way, but it still is just awkward. I know people love Berkeys, but I haven't been terribly impressed with mine. The cookies looked phenomenal! Hope you guys have a wonderful week, too!

[@growandpreserve]

Good to see you, Blue Dahlia! So sorry you didn't love the bread. We have really enjoyed it. I love the convenience of the new sink in the island, but it's pretty small so as not to take up too much work space. Glad it wasn't just me on the Berkey filters.

[@nolagirlhomestead]

Speaking of bacon grease, I browned up bacon end cuts, vacuum packed freezer portions and saved the grease. Budget saver for bacon crumbles

[@growandpreserve]

Yum! Good thinking!

[@Lalec122]

Hi Carter! I just wanted to take a minute and thank you, I enjoy your videos so much. The thought that you put behind everyone of your videos, along with the organization start to finish it's just a class act. When I look for any recipe/video/tutorial you're my first stop...💜🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 I'm attempting the cottage pie tomorrow, I just can't wait to see how it comes out!

[@growandpreserve]

Thank you so much, Lalec. Keep me posted on the cottage pie!

[@Lalec122]

It is so delicious... I had some siphoning, and one jar not seal... but but definitely doing this again

[@growandpreserve]

Yay! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know! @@Lalec122

[@jaylynnthompson6836]

I was just wondering how the Berkey worked. You're answering my question today. Thanks.

[@growandpreserve]

Good. It was a bit of a frustrating start, but once the water was flowing, we loved it.

[@karikelly2797]

Thanks for the update, Carter. You are fantastic as always!

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Kari!

[@danniemcdonald7675]

You did a great job "shopping". It looks like David agreed 😊 Everything looked delicious, but those cookies 🍪 😍 Have you posted the revipe for them somewhere? Sorry, but I got *way behind tjis past week and need to get caught up! I hope the weather has gotten better and the workers are doing their kitchen magic 🎩 😊

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Dannie! The recipe for the cookies is linked in the description.

[@brendalay5161]

Twice I’ve made the chipolte beef. My husband loves it!

[@growandpreserve]

Excellent, Brenda! Thanks so much for letting me know. It's one of my favorites too.

[@vickiwestlund1837]

Always a pleasure watching your videos! I’ve gained so much knowledge from you!

[@growandpreserve]

Awesome, thank you!

[@constancebeck2992]

Love my Berkey. Filled it and a 3 gal brita before the snow started. A great move as the city has been having trouble and we have been on a boil notice. I did get all my bacon canned and have been indulging in sourdough pancakes. This week I made stroganoff, split pea soup, more chicken schawarma, chicken piccata w pasta, polenta with sausage sauce, tacquitos, and veg beef soup. For breakfast I've also eaten plenty of muffins. Lunches have been leftovers. Did can up more piccata and soups. Esme held up well in the cold and the first freezer is now emptied with veggies and fruits now freeze dried. I Did make sourdough discard crackers. But spent most of my time in front of the fire knitting. Your meals look great this week. Thankyou

[@growandpreserve]

Connie, I'm so glad you enjoyed some knitting time this week! What a crazy weather week it's been. All your meals sound fantastic. The fd is up and running. Hoping to make a huge dent in the freezer over the next few weeks. 2022 peppers and some chicken treats for the critters in there now.

[@constancebeck2992]

@@growandpreserve great! Just remember, you cannot over dry anything. Let the machine do it's thing, then add extra dry time, a few hours, then check it. The food should be warm to the touch. If you feel any cold spots let it dry a few hours longer, check again! When dry, get it into jars or bags as quickly as possible and vacuum seal! Wishing you lots of fun. This machine is awesome!

[@darylwilson6793]

You have your own challenge going on with that reno, but rolling with the punches with that well stocked pantry 👍 I always have a pen and paper while watching your videos cause you share so many ideas, thank you. Happy '24, happy canuary, happy pantry challenge!

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Daryl! Always good to hear from you!

[@loricook7670]

Love it! I want to make the chicken Meatzza's sound great. I hope you will do a video, and I will make it for sure. I'm always looking for low-carb/calorie meals. Thank you again. This pantry challenge has been fun for us, too, trying to make a dent in my freezer. lol, I have too much food. Thank you again, Carter. 💞❤

[@growandpreserve]

It's on my list! So glad you're having fun with the challenge, Lori. I keep taking things out of the freezer, but I swear it doesn't look like I've made a dent yet. Hoping Feb will show some real progress! Good to see you, Lori!

[@loricook7670]

Same, I have two freezers, and there is so much food. I have a whole turkey, and I was thinking about thawing it out and making those Meatzzas. Then, use the bones for a turkey stock. So many ideas I wish I had more time. I also have three pork shoulder roasts in my freezer. I already have pork canned. Do you have any suggestions on what else I could do with them? Looking forward to more Pantry Challenge videos. @@growandpreserve

[@growandpreserve]

I have plain pork shoulder and bbq pork shoulder canned. I also use cooked pork shoulder in my canned brunswick stew. Otherwise, I'm with you. I'm about to put some cooked pulled pork in the freeze dryer to see if we like the results. @@loricook7670

[@loricook7670]

@@growandpreserve Great ideas! I will indeed try it in Brunswick stew. Please keep us posted with the freeze dryer. I hope to get one of those one day.🙏🙏🙏

[@jerrystrong4494]

Carter you are amazing at putting a meal together. Barb

[@growandpreserve]

Thank you so much, Barb!

[@donnamullins2089]

Beautiful snow. Pantry challenge is going good and your meals look tasty. Nice micro greens. Yummy. Have you created you temporary kitchen? Workers will be returning when the snow melts. Hope the storms are light and you have a safe and warm weekend.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Donna! I have the toaster oven set up on the floor in my dining room, and I've been rotating small appliances in and out as needed. I'm most worried about the week or so they will be painting cabinets and having everything tarped in plastic. We'll see. I really just can't wait to clean all the dust and get my kitchen back in order. Have a great week!

[@donnamullins2089]

I can imagine the dust. Hope it isn't long now. Have a good week. @@growandpreserve

[@ShannonLivesey]

Great update, Carter 😊 I'm glad you restocked mostly before the snow, the stairs look scary to me, lol ( I'm pretty clumsy) your meals look fantastic. Looking forward to more. That new faucet is stunning!!

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks so much, Shannon! Hope you had a good week. I agree with you about the stairs. Even worse, is the hard stone patio at the bottom! I love my new faucet, although I have to have it's "eye" disconnected. At the moment, it is deciding when I've had enough water and shuts off...I feel like I'm in airport bathroom!

[@sukeyfrugalfrau]

Construction noises are good noises for you! It means you will have the kitchen that fits your needs soon!.. Pantry challenge has been easy and fun for me too. I keep making much more than I need, so I can some of it, freeze some of it. Put some in the outside cold box ( my practice winter refrigerator should we have a grid disruption ). I always say to my husband, time to grocery shop!. I go down to the basement kitchen, or out to the root cellar, or the cold box, or the upstairs hallway for dry goods. I always chuckle and feel good about having it all at home. Great crop of micro-greens. I need to get some going in addition to sprouts. Most of my main floor is pulled apart, and the kitchen is about ready to be ripped out..; it will have to wait..

[@growandpreserve]

Sukey, you have it all going on! It is so great to have most everything you need at home, isn't it? You've done so well!

[@sukeyfrugalfrau]

@@growandpreserve my canning supply is not nearly what you have, but I make it work, since I have the root cellar and also many dehydrated items. I love seeing your shelves beautifully adorned with home made food.

[@StacyCraig-ym4bu]

Just a suggestion when u cook bacon put parchment paler down and cook in oven at 405 convection for 20 minutes

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Stacy

[@neppieb]

Hi Carter, I'm doing well on the challenge. I did bake some bread. It was pretty good. My husband drinks lots of milk, so he pays for it. I am buying some fresh produce but that's about all. I feel really good using my canning pantry and my other pantry food. I've run out of a couple of staples, but we can make it without. Thanks for showing what you are cooking.

[@growandpreserve]

You are doing great, Neppie! I am so glad to hear you are feeling empowered by the pantry you've worked hard to build. That's the best!

[@redgingerbreadpam]

Always enjoy your kitchen creations...no matter wbat or how you come up with them.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks so much, Pam!

[@CDJMiniRanch]

The lasagna looked delicious. I am also definitely going to try the meatballs. Thanks for the snow pictures. We don't get snow here.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, CDJ!

[@tmd7859]

Love your creative ways of using the foods you preserve! I just did my second batch of your Italian beef and chipotle beef.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks so much! Glad you're liking the beef recipes. The chipotle beef is one of my favorites.

[@rosabandera_home]

You may want to consider a snow melting mat for the stone

[@growandpreserve]

Nice idea!

[@conniewach7872]

Hello, its great seeing all you do with everything..

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks so much, Connie!

[@brendalay5161]

Wow! You make everything look amazing! I have to go back and review your videos for roasted tomatoes and your chicken meatza. 😊

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Brenda! I haven't made the chicken meatza on camera yet, but I will!

[@jenniferr2057]

Wonderful video, Carter! Do you have a video on the meatza crust? It sounds yummy.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Jennifer! No video yet on the meatza crust, but it's on my list!

[@vickistiles7132]

You have motivated me to grow more micro greens-thank you! I love the voice-overs. It is always a treat to learn from you.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Vick! I've really enjoyed having microgreens again. I bet you will too!

[@whatwveris]

thank you for the low carb keto Recipes.

[@growandpreserve]

You are most welcome!

[@jodidonovan3191]

You have GOT to try HU (with a dot on top of the U ) No added sugar chocolate chips!! OH MY WORD!! I now prefer them to reg chocy chips!!! They are all organic and KETO and paleo !! I am not diabetic but I still prefer the sugar free chocy chip cookies I make my hubby. As a matter of fact .. since you introduced me to Allulose.. I am now almost sugar free by CHOICE !!

[@growandpreserve]

So glad you found some sugar-free options you love. The HU chips look like a great Paleo option. Thanks for the rec!

[@daniellewoodward4728]

The chicken meatzas look yummy I will have to try them. The cookies look great too

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Dani!

[@lynfischer460]

WOW what a video, thank you so much I enjoyed every minute! Going to see if you left us a video on chicken meatzas.. 👧🏻

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks so much, Lyn! I haven't filmed making the chicken meatzas yet, but I'll get it on the list.

[@tonijohnson7132]

I recently canned you white bean and sausage And Your beef Burgundy. So excited to try them soon. Thanks for the inspiration ❤

[@growandpreserve]

Excellent, Toni! Keep me posted!

[@Klf3150]

Voice overs are perfectly fine. Enjoyable nonetheless 😊

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks for the feedback, Karen!

[@kareninsask1375]

Maybe buy or borrow a small microwave or a toaster oven so you can still have the ability to cook. Thanks for the video. 👋 from 🇨🇦

[@growandpreserve]

Fortunately, I have a toaster oven. It has currently been relegated to the dining floor while they tear everything apart. I'll have to find it better quarters!

[@buckleymanor4658]

❤

[@patriciaking1577]

Love your hair color on you ❤

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Patricia! It's pretty close to my pre-gray natural color!

[@colleenjerns9239]

Just today I made a pot of Zuppa Toscana and the kale I used was kale I canned last August. I had canned it in desperation back then because my freezer was so full. I was skeptical that it would be good but golly it was wonderful in that soup. I’ll be canning more kale this year when it grows. Do you ever can kale?

[@growandpreserve]

So glad it worked so well for you, Colleen! I have not canned kale (except in soup), but I have canned collards, and quite frankly, that may have done me in for canning greens! They turned to total mush for me. Sounds like you had much better luck!

[@morenamad9182]

Please do the meatzza video! It looks so good.

[@growandpreserve]

It's on my list!

[@marshadonaldson8645]

It sounds like your weather in Tn has been much like ours in North Mississippi! I managed to harvest some lettuce, radishes, cabbage, kale and collards before the big freeze. I covered the rest, but I'm doubtful that it helped! I've had a Berkey for many years. I actually gave the big blue plastic one to my niece, and now I have the travel Berkey since it's only me and 2 dogs now. I recently changed to a different and supposedly more efficient filter that eliminated the need for the extra fluoride filter (which had to be replaced every 6 months), and the new ones are less expensive. And NO PRIMING required! It's by ProOne water filters, model G2.0. It's reusable and cleanable and fits the Berkey. I did a "Birdseed Pantry Challenge" today! I went through all my older seeds and beans, etc, and researched what i could use to feed the birds. I used the Vita-Mix to grind up anything that seemed to big. Most of these only expired last year, and it felt good to be able to repurpose them and not have to buy birdseed that has gotten a little pricey! Plus our roads have been impassable since Sunday night, except for a couple of hours yesterday, and the birds have really been going through the seed. I've been doing Keto since Jan. 1 after binging for 3 weeks in December, and it has helped that I probably have enough food to last a year! My shelves and grow lights are in my breakfast room, and I bought seeds for growing lettuce indoors after seeing your salad bar! I always start my seeds for gardening indoors, but always have trouble with fungus gnats. Have you ever had that problem, and what do you do to control them? Ive tried every trick that I've seen on KZbin to no avail! Hang in there with the remodel...it will be so worth it!❤

[@growandpreserve]

Marsha, thank you so much for the replacement filter info. I have made a note of it. Glad you got a harvest in before the snow. I'm still waiting for the snow to melt to see if anything will survive. It was 1F this morning when I got up, so I hope the snow kept the kale and cabbage somewhat insulated. What a great way to use up old seeds and beans! I use these little yellow sticky things for fungus gnats: amzn.to/48ZqxEw, plus, I use indoor potting soil inside. Between the two of these, I haven't had much of a problem. Hope it helps!

[@karenpage9383]

Great idea on the seeds and beans! So you remember what beans were safe? And for fungus gnats, if you have a way to plug something in nearby, try something called Zevo. Its a sticky trap but it has a special light that draws them in. Works great on drain flies too. A lot of times people think they have fruit flies or gnats, but its really drain flies... or at least that was what I was told by a retired pest control guy. Its worked wonders for me, and they sell refills of the sticky trap parts to replace them if they get overloaded. No smells, no mess, no harsh chemicals!

[@thereseavelis1372]

If you have a grill, you can use it as an oven.

[@growandpreserve]

Good thought, Therese!! Hopefully it'll warm up soon. It'll be 2F tonight!

[@lisapop5219]

I call them food obsession or jags. I get on a kick and only eat that, sometimes for months

[@growandpreserve]

Yes! Same here. It drives David nuts, yet when I met him, the only things he ate were rice a roni, lasagna and honey roasted nuts. That took some undoing!

[@rschroeder6460]

Love my Berkey! Filters can be tricky. They dont have u do a red food color test?? Ive had mine for 10 years, maybe they no longer do to test if runs clear

[@growandpreserve]

The directions didn't mention it. I did see on YT, but I don't have any food coloring in the house. So far, so good though!

[@tgailwilliams]

I live in north middle TN and am trying my hand at growing a couple of Myers Lemon trees. I brought them in for the winter. They struggle..I was wondering how do you keep yours going?

[@growandpreserve]

Hey, Gail! Mine lives inside year-round in a sunny south-facing window. It gets watered every 7-10 days and fertilized twice/year.

[@Lonni180]

Do they not do household soft water systems where you are? They are lifesaver here where I have hard water. I just can't water my plants with that water. I have to use an outside tap for watering plants.

[@growandpreserve]

Apparently the amount of calcium in our water is too high to go straight through a softening system. It must first be filtered. TN is built on limestone. The system I am getting will have a softener after the filters.

[@waynehendrix4806]

I almost misunderstood what the challenge was. I should read more carefully. (Eeekk) 🙄 Root cellars and the like require a little bit of planning to work around. I hope all is well there. That's an awesome inventory.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Wayne! I hesitate to ask what you thought the challenge was!

[@waynehendrix4806]

My eyes just glossed over the first r. Typical mistake for me. I thought maybe it was an old "animal house" video. haha. I now have to go sit in the chair of shame. Like the old Red Green show prayer "I'm a man, but I can change, I guess...." Time to can some beans!! @@growandpreserve

[@growandpreserve]

Ah! I should have guessed! 🤣@@waynehendrix4806

[@mburton2402]

How do you set up your pantry? Do you keep your commercial canned items separate from your home canned goods? Is there a method to the way you layout the shelves? I've gutted my closet pantry and have purchased new large metal shelves and am trying to develop an organized system. TY.

[@growandpreserve]

A question after my own heart! I do keep my home canned goods separate from store bought stuff, but primarily because I think the home canned jars are beautiful and the store bought stuff just feels like clutter to me. For the home canned items, I have 3 shelving units with extra shelves on each. Across the top row left to right, I have condiments (mustards, tomato jam, steak sauce, hot sauce, bbq sauce, etc.), salsas and relishes of all varieties, and then chutneys and jams and jellies. Next row left to right is starches (potatoes, beans, etc), pickled items and fruit, and all tomato products (diced, roasted, sauce, pasta sauce, etc). The next two rows down are all plain meats--pork (ham, sausage, pulled pork), then beef (stew beef, ground beef), then chicken and turkey. Finally, the lowest row is soups meal starters and complete meals in jars. Just the method to my madness...hope it helps!

[@mburton2402]

@@growandpreserve That's PERFECT! It's exactly what I was looking for, some logical way, for my mind, to set up like items....i.e. chicken meat is not the same a chicken soup. I'm sure I've been overthinking the whole thing. Not counting the buckets and cans and jars I've already pulled out of the closet I have 28 cases of processed jars sitting on my kitchen floor waiting for a home. This could make for a good video while your kitchen is in demolition mode. TY again.

[@karenpage9383]

I'm so happy for you that you are able to eat goat cheese! When you get brave, you could try cheese with A2A2 cows milk to see if you can handle it without issues. I'm sorry to hear your appliances got pushed out, but honestly I saw that coming when you first announced the reno plans. I've been doing the challenge, only buying produce for the bunnies and milk for the people. Though I'm still doing my Azure orders, just not dipping into those items yet. I had sooooo much stashed in every freezer, fridge, nook, and cranny that I could probably go through April. That said, I still haven't tackled some of the "avoided" items, like cow tongue and ox tail we got with our beef order. And I have a ton of beans and lentils I have to find a way to like or just pass them on to someone who does. Can't wait for you (and Jessica, and a couple others I watch on the regular) to start running low and improvising!

[@growandpreserve]

So good to see you, Karen! I will try the raw A2A2 milk soon. I'm hoping to try sheep's milk next so I can get feta back in my life! So hoping the appliances and the cabinet painters stick with the new revised schedule. I am so eager to get my kitchen and dining area clean and put back together. Sounds like you are doing great on the challenge. I plan to do a small shop between Jan and Feb...eggs, goat cheese, the new keto bread we like, and probably another pack of sweet kale salad. Read the comment from @marshadonaldson8645 on this video. She has researched which dry beans can be ground up for birdseed. I could do oxtail soup, but cow tongue may be over the line for me!

[@karenpage9383]

@@growandpreserve Meg at Hollar Homestead makes taco meat from the tongue that her family says makes the BEST tacos ever, and that is saying something since they were from CA originally and know good tacos! I just have to get past the part of peeling the outer layer off *shudder*. I need to research oxtail soup. The package I have seems to have more meat on it that I would have expected (though I was so enthusiastic to take the parts no one else wanted, they may have given me more than 1 cow worth... I got 5 beef livers, and I know that was more than 1 cow!). Sheep milk is good too! I can't wait for the farmer's market near me to have that again! I have a good source, but sadly it is high in demand and runs $8 a half gallon. On the beans, I found a couple recipes where you puree cooked white beans and make them into a sauce similar to alfredo. Wondering if I can do that with virtually any cooked beans and just doctor it up to get to something we can tolerate. If that doesn't work, I will for sure share with the birds! Off to give thanks to @marshadonaldson! TY for passing that on cause I would have missed it!

[@donate1sttt]

How long did you process the pints for using digital canner? Is a digital canner same as a reg canner. I didnt think digital canner gets as hot as reg canner

[@growandpreserve]

Exact same processing time for an electric canner as a stovetop canner. They reach the same temperature.

[@tammynevil7852]

I hope you donate old microwave/stove to a homeless shelter or re-use center

[@growandpreserve]

I have friends taking everything except the poorly functioning microwave.

[@tammynevil7852]

So glad to see people pass things along to others @@growandpreserve