[Roving Nomad]

I work in a new pizzeria in my town as one of the cooks. While most of the stuff we make there is fresh (or as fresh as we can manage),the kitchen manager decided we would be making fresh mozzarella to put in our freshly made meatballs. For a little while he did it himself but after a week or so I was taught to make cheese and now am in charge of it. On top of that I have been meddling around my own kitchen at home, making garlic powder from whole garlic and creating a sourdough starter to make bread with. I used to hate winter due to the lack of anything to do (or so I thought), but if I can keep learning new skills I may not hate the Indiana cold so much after all.
Any suggestions on what to look into next?

 

[dealfinder500]

Winter is a good time for lots of reading.

You interested in gardening? You could start seedlings. Even if it's too early for you, you can still start and learn. First year I started seeds I started them way too early, but it was good because I was new and I ended up killing them all, but I learned from my mistakes. Since I had started to early, I had time to start again, this time a tiny bit wiser.

Or how about canning? There's always stuff you can can all year long. Even now, you could can up jelly. It's extremely easy to make, and you can even make it from store-bought frozen concentrated juice (there's a thread here about that). But it's a good time to learn the basics of canning, not to mention if it's so cold, you'll appreciate the extra heat from the canner.

 

[arleigh]

Out door skills can be sharpened , making fire in snow comes to mind. weathering the snow and cold voluntarily rather than enduring it involuntarily with out the right skills and equipment.
I have expanded my sewing skills when I had lots of free time.
First aid classes would be prudent.
Amateur radio will always be an advantage.
good luck

 

[two bits]

I work in a new pizzeria in my town as one of the cooks. While most of the stuff we make there is fresh (or as fresh as we can manage),the kitchen manager decided we would be making fresh mozzarella to put in our freshly made meatballs. For a little while he did it himself but after a week or so I was taught to make cheese and now am in charge of it. On top of that I have been meddling around my own kitchen at home, making garlic powder from whole garlic and creating a sourdough starter to make bread with. I used to hate winter due to the lack of anything to do (or so I thought), but if I can keep learning new skills I may not hate the Indiana cold so much after all.
Any suggestions on what to look into next?

One thing about Indiana weather, if you don't like it, hang around, it will change! Learn to cook from scratch. That way, you can make anything taste good. Learn the secret to seasonings, their flavors, how they zest up meals.
Gravies, and sauces. They can change the flavor of a dish. Moisten meats. Breads, home made bread that is edible.

If you have room for a small garden, small, small! Get a few plants like a banana pepper, tomato, cucumber, cabbage. Nothing like eating vegetables you have grown yourself.
Do you like sourkraut?

 

[inMichigan]

We used the mid-winter to make and can pumpkin soup. The heat & humidity in the kitchen was appreciated. Next year, we'll add onion soup to this list. It was a great chance to use the inventory before spoilage got underway.

 

[inMichigan]

Kraut made in the winter will ferment very slow, giving a very clean premium flavor.

 

[Ramona M. Faunce]

Make pickles. Also, spend many hours making Christmas presents for friends and family.