Food Storage Friendly Friday – Meal Idea and Tip of the Week

Has this been a really long week for anyone else or is it just me? So many crazy things going on in my little world not to mention the big world picture. Such a long list of things to do that didn’t get done this week. I have been doing some cooking and trying some new recipes and that’s always a fun thing for me. We’ve had lots of internet connectivity issues this week which is frustrating and is not yet resolved. Better luck next week.

The tip of the week is more of a reminder than a tip. One of the first things to remember to do in this electronic age, is a computer back-up. Take some time to back-up your important information this weekend. If you use an online backup program and do it on a regular basis that is great. We have a tendency to be too trusting, not only of people but also of equipment. I always tell myself that I’ll get to it soon, but when you lose important information, it’s gone. Ask yourself this question, "If there were an earthquake or other disaster, and I couldn't get online for an extended period of time, would there be anything I couldn't live without?"

Decide what method you will use for backing up your information on a long term basis and get it done. I’m still part of the old school that likes things on paper, in black and white. You may wish to send copies to other family members elsewhere to store for you and they may do likewise in case of an emergency or long term power outage. With everything going on these days we just can’t be too careful or too prepared.

The recipe of the week was submitted by Julie B. from Colorado. She says it was her mom’s favorite recipe that is Food Storage Friendly. I’ve seen this recipe or similar versions in several cookbooks and tasted one like this at a luncheon. This recipe – Any Old Fruit Cake – is a great way to use bottled fruit that may need to be used up. It isn’t a typical fruitcake, just a very nice moist cake that is very enjoyable. Julie said that this is the recipe she uses if she is out of eggs or saving her eggs for something else because this recipe uses NO eggs. Thanks for sharing, Julie.

Fern’s Any Old Fruit Cake
1 quart of any old bottled fruit
2 c. sugar
1 c. oil
4 c. flour
4 t. soda
1 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. cloves
1 t. nutmeg
Raisins, Chocolate Chips, Nuts (Optional)
Use a quart of any fruit you wish, and pour it in the blender – juice and all, and blend till smooth. You can add any leftover fruit you may have in your fridge or ripe bananas if you wish, to make 1 quart total. Add sugar and oil to fruit. Stir in dry ingredients and anything else you might like to add, such as nuts, raisins, chocolate chips or etc. Bake in 1-9x13” pan PLUS 1-8” square pan. Bake at 350º for 40-50 minutes. Frost while warm.
Frosting:
1/3 of a square of butter
½ c. brown sugar
¼ c. canned milk
2 ½ c. confectioners’ sugar
Bring butter, brown sugar and milk to a boil. Remove from heat. Add confectioners’ sugar and spread on cake immediately.