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Cook Like It’s 1955 — Save Money Like It’s 2025

Cook Like It’s 1955 — Save Money Like It’s 2025

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📝 SHOW NOTES — “What Our Parents Knew: Canning, Freezing & Feeding Yourself Smart”

This episode is all about the old-school kitchen skills that kept our parents and grandparents fed — and why these skills matter just as much today. Canning, freezing, stretching meals, smart shopping… these weren’t hobbies for them. They were survival skills.

Below are the simple, beginner-friendly recipes mentioned in this episode, plus instructions for canning tomatoes and making peach jelly. And now — by request — easy homemade bread and rolls.

If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, please remember: you are not alone.
📞 Dial 211 for free, confidential help connecting to food and senior support services in your area.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups peach juice (fresh or bottled)

  • 1 box powdered pectin (1.75 oz)

  • 5 cups sugar

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Peach Juice (if fresh):

  1. Slice 10–12 peaches (no need to peel).

  2. Cover with water; simmer 15 minutes.

  3. Strain through cheesecloth — don’t squeeze.

  4. Measure 4 cups juice.

Make Jelly:

  1. Combine juice, lemon juice, and pectin; bring to rolling boil.

  2. Add sugar all at once.

  3. Boil hard for 1 minute; remove from heat.

  4. Skim foam if needed.

To Can:

  1. Ladle into hot jars (¼-inch headspace).

  2. Add lids; tighten finger-tight.

  3. Water-bath 10 minutes.

  4. Cool 12–24 hours; check seals.

Shelf life: 1 year.

You Need:

  • Fresh tomatoes

  • Bottled lemon juice

  • Salt (optional)

  • Clean jars & lids

  • Large pot

Prep Tomatoes:

  1. Dip in boiling water 30–60 sec.

  2. Transfer to ice water; skins slide off.

  3. Cut into chunks.

Pack Jars:

  1. Add lemon juice:

    • 1 tbsp per pint

    • 2 tbsp per quart

  2. Add tomatoes + optional salt (½ tsp per pint).

  3. Leave ½ inch headspace.

  4. Clean rims; add lids.

Water Bath:

  • Pints: 40 minutes

  • Quarts: 45 minutes

Cool 12–24 hours, check seals. Stores 1 year.

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup warm water

  • 2 tbsp sugar

  • 1 packet active dry yeast

  • 2 tbsp melted butter

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 2 ¾–3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:

  1. Mix warm water + sugar; sprinkle yeast; let foam 5–10 minutes.

  2. Add butter, salt, and 2 cups flour.

  3. Add remaining flour as needed until soft dough forms.

  4. Knead 6–8 minutes.

  5. Rise 1 hour.

  6. Shape into loaf; rise 30 minutes.

  7. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.

  8. Cool 20 minutes before slicing.

Tip: Brush top with butter for a soft crust.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup warm water

  • 2 tbsp sugar

  • 1 packet active dry yeast

  • 2 tbsp melted butter

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 2 ½–3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:

  1. Mix warm water + sugar; add yeast; let foam 5–10 minutes.

  2. Add butter, salt, and 2 cups flour.

  3. Add remaining flour until dough is soft and slightly sticky.

  4. Knead 5–7 minutes.

  5. Rise 1 hour.

  6. Divide into 12 balls; place in greased pan.

  7. Rise 30 minutes.

  8. Bake at 375°F for 15–18 minutes.

  9. Brush with butter while hot.

Freezer tip: Freeze individually; microwave 20–30 seconds to reheat.

🍑 PEACH JELLY (Beginner-Friendly)🍅 HOW TO CAN TOMATOES (Water Bath Method)🍞 EASY HOMEMADE WHITE BREAD (Beginner-Friendly)🥖 SOFT DINNER ROLLS (12 Rolls)

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