tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post6612689554794065956..comments2023-10-23T15:56:58.357-04:00Comments on Nature remains.: Suet Cakesnina at Nature Remains.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07888238636692649668noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-65556745785321636622008-12-05T12:49:00.000-05:002008-12-05T12:49:00.000-05:00Thanks, Nina. I just requested some 'suet' from m...Thanks, Nina. <BR/><BR/>I just requested some 'suet' from my butcher again; only this time I specifically asked the guy if it IS, actually, suet. As I suspected... what I get is ground fat trimmings. I don't really mind, the birds love it. It's a lot like suet, but it's not suet. Seems these trimmings, ground or not, should be cheaper than actual suet...of which there would be much less per cow! I'm paying about $1 per pound for the stuff (down here in the boonies.)<BR/><BR/>I don't usually have stale bakery goods around...and while I do add birdseed, cornmeal and a little wheat flour, perhaps I'll try bits of fruit in some. You know; plumped up raisins and apple bits? I can't afford to feed them nuts; times are tough all over.Beverlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09334121900896195207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-23998687062523414372008-12-04T13:40:00.000-05:002008-12-04T13:40:00.000-05:00Beverly--I'm sure you're right in your obs...Beverly--<BR/>I'm sure you're right in your observation that commercially prepared suet blocks may be very competitively priced and contain many wholesome ingredients.<BR/>I'm not sure exactly WHY I make my own.<BR/>Partially, from habit, I suppose, from years of doing so before so many were readily available for sale.<BR/>But, partially, too, because it allows me to "recycle" many stale tidbits from my cabinets. <BR/>I was given 2 books years ago, "My Cooking is for the Birds, I & II," by Edna Cosgrove, suggesting incorporating different ingredients for attracting/targeting different birds.<BR/><BR/>I like feeling that my offering is somewhat "custom-ordered." <BR/>I also make Julie's Zick Dough, for a crumble to toss in my platform feeders.nina at Nature Remains.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07888238636692649668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-36570233582529908712008-11-29T06:18:00.000-05:002008-11-29T06:18:00.000-05:00Hi Nina, I used to render suet on the stove but m...Hi Nina,<BR/><BR/> I used to render suet on the stove but my family objected to our home smelling like a short-order hamburger joint for days afterward. Then, I tried heating it in an electric skillet on the deck outside, but it attracted feral cats. Nobody needs more of those. Then someone told me about rendering suet in the microwave, and my smell problems were over. It's fast, it's much cleaner, and it doesn't smell as bad for nearly as long.<BR/><BR/>Now, for my home birdie cookin', I use lard in the big tubs which I can only find at Wal-Mart. It's rendered pork fat and it has no salt or preservatives that I know of. It doesn't even need refrigeration. I melt it in the microwave, too--quick and easy.<BR/><BR/>Your suet cakes look so good I could be tempted, in a hormonal eating jag, to try one.<BR/><BR/>xo jzJulie Zickefoosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06654698829603424649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-61350909501941192942008-11-27T13:23:00.000-05:002008-11-27T13:23:00.000-05:00Thank you for your wonderful suet recipe! It was ...Thank you for your wonderful suet recipe! It was interesting hearing about your difficulty getting the beef lard from the grocery store butcher. I have never done anything but buy the already-made suet blocks in the birdseed section of Walmart, so I know this is something I am going to want to try. Thanks....<BR/>MarieA Colorful Worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06890388727784255219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-73419906262077861382008-11-26T09:16:00.000-05:002008-11-26T09:16:00.000-05:00Hi Nina,I've never rendered my own suet, but read ...Hi Nina,<BR/>I've never rendered my own suet, but read that it can be somewhat "smelly."<BR/>We still have a butcher shop in town where they sell suet--I usually just buy the frozen chunks and put them in the special "chunk" suet feeder I have--woodpeckers still seem to like it that way too.RuthieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-70421396194693145502008-11-26T09:12:00.000-05:002008-11-26T09:12:00.000-05:00I've never known anyone who made homemade suet cak...I've never known anyone who made homemade suet cakes before--fascinating! I bet they are much more tasty than the readymade ones in the stores as well. I can imagine what the butcher was thinking--you would think they would give it to you for free.<BR/>The birds should be flocking to your home all winter!Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01384059342847120951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-42725016034059278592008-11-26T08:50:00.000-05:002008-11-26T08:50:00.000-05:00Pam and "scribe":I find lard by Armor, in 2.5 lb t...Pam and "scribe":<BR/><BR/>I find lard by Armor, in 2.5 lb tubs at Kroger's in the baking section, near Crisco and the bottles of oil. It is soft, about the consistancy of peanut butter, and fairly easy to spoon into measuring cups. Beef? Pork? I dunno, better not to ask.<BR/><BR/>Beverly:<BR/><BR/>True suet is specialized fat, from the loin area and around the kidneys. A real butcher will know the difference between that and fat trimmed from the edges of steaks and roasts.<BR/><BR/>~KathiKathihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186814675058675885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-26612038279464161182008-11-26T00:40:00.000-05:002008-11-26T00:40:00.000-05:00Nina I applaude you for taking the time to make ho...Nina I applaude you for taking the time to make homemade suet for your bird visitors!! Mother Nature blesses you twofold I'm sure!<BR/>I take the easy way and purchase my suet already made up from seed stores.Naturegirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00177418253271097079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-81172670316304185812008-11-25T23:42:00.000-05:002008-11-25T23:42:00.000-05:00Thank you! It is nice to know I'm not the only one...Thank you! It is nice to know I'm not the only one who can't find beef suet or people who know what it is! I can't find stew hens or hearts anymore either. I think all of it is going into processed-value added meat products now.<BR/><BR/>Folks are talking about using lard...pork lard? Can you give pork lard to the birds? Doesn't the little lard bricks in the store have some sort of chemical preservative or salt in it?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05286006224820770646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-27934455479599239502008-11-25T23:36:00.000-05:002008-11-25T23:36:00.000-05:00The food photos were making me hungry. It's a sha...The food photos were making me hungry. It's a shame that the internet doesn't allow "smells" ... or maybe they have ... but you need a Mac.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17989947946488835186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-47808258204708809592008-11-25T17:09:00.000-05:002008-11-25T17:09:00.000-05:00I had the same trouble when looking for caul-fat, ...I had the same trouble when looking for caul-fat, the netting-like fat used to wrap home-made sausage. Yeah, when I brewed beer, I also made my own sausage.<BR/><BR/>A week or so ago, I asked for my local mom & pop store (which actually butchers meat) for some suet. What I got was a 5# block of what looked like frozen albino hamburger. When I left it to thaw, it got somewhat pinker and as I rendered it, I ended up with about a pound of ground meat in the bubbling fat. I paid just over $1/per pound for this stuff…not too bad I guess, when my dog got a couple evenings of ‘fancy dinner’ instead of plain ol’ kibble.<BR/><BR/>Still…I’m having a financial crisis that it doesn’t appear I’ll be bailed-out of, so I’m watching my pennies. It is NOT cheaper it seems, to make your own suet cakes than it is to buy them pre-made. I look for the stuff without added preservatives or artificial flavorings. I suppose mine might have tasted better, with oats and cornmeal in it and a mixture of various seeds; but the hassle is huge for the results…I made quite a mess, and I didn’t even add the extra expense of peanut butter.<BR/><BR/>So tell me, Nina…why is it folks make their own suet-bird food when I know I’m paying more than city folks for the stuff in pre-made blocks and I’m only paying $1.19 each square? (and it’s cheaper if I could order bulk). I’m a contents-reader…and the stuff I buy looks to be clean & healthy. Have I missed something? <BR/><BR/>And do butchers know the difference between suet and plain ol fat cut from edges of steaks? Would it matter?Beverlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09334121900896195207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-52765841974886568612008-11-25T15:56:00.000-05:002008-11-25T15:56:00.000-05:00No way am I letting MY neighborhood birds see your...No way am I letting MY neighborhood birds see your blog...they'll expect me to upgrade the menu! ;)Dave Coulterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12613987836803392641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-32253780413766760652008-11-25T14:46:00.000-05:002008-11-25T14:46:00.000-05:00Hope the smell of the roasting turkey overpowers t...Hope the smell of the roasting turkey overpowers the rendering of the suet.<BR/><BR/>I have a special butcher who saves suet for me on the two occasions I use it. One is for an old-fashioned plum pudding for Christmas, and the other is for Yorkshire pudding to accompany the prime rib on New Year's Day.<BR/><BR/>The birds get store-bought suet cakes.NCmountainwomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615765649828716560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-900396064970507232008-11-25T14:02:00.000-05:002008-11-25T14:02:00.000-05:00Nina, please go to my site and find a small award....Nina, please go to my site and find a small award.bobbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00658103343742852411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-61680464967420623152008-11-25T12:02:00.000-05:002008-11-25T12:02:00.000-05:00I always intend to do that, and procrastinate unti...I always intend to do that, and procrastinate until spring comes, and then, what's the use? Maybe this year. If it ever gets cold around here.<BR/><BR/>Off-topic:<BR/><BR/>I have been infected with the 6 random things meme, and now I'm tagging you. The rules are <A HREF="http://wanderinweeta.blogspot.com/2008/11/brief-interruption.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>.<BR/><BR/>:)Susannah Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11923063322849781223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-29214499395352597622008-11-25T10:38:00.000-05:002008-11-25T10:38:00.000-05:00What a great story - and you should get some kind ...What a great story - and you should get some kind of avian culinary award, too! I remember when grocers used to give suet away free, but that's going back a while.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-49337573713462462952008-11-25T09:20:00.000-05:002008-11-25T09:20:00.000-05:00Fun project - and so much better than the store bo...Fun project - and so much better than the store bought stuff!<BR/>Cheers, Klauskjpwebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08943083978093494506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-50540063599098993202008-11-25T08:41:00.000-05:002008-11-25T08:41:00.000-05:00Nina, you take the cake! so to speak.I'm sure ther...Nina, you take the cake! so to speak.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there's a special place waiting for you in heaven, with song birds flitting all around it.bobbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00658103343742852411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-89635843337533379312008-11-25T07:14:00.000-05:002008-11-25T07:14:00.000-05:00Okay…now I feel like a real shirker buying my suet...Okay…now I feel like a real shirker buying my suet cakes pre-made from the feed store. But I'll have to find a supply of suet in my area before I can even begin to think about doing my own. And that might not be easy. Just the other day I decided to pick up some lard for biscuit-making and a mincemeat recipe I want to do for Christmas pies—and that turned out to be impossible, at least at my local Meijers and Krogers. Krogers didn't have lard, and Meijers had it in 12-ounce containers at nearly $4 a pop! I'm doubting either would carry suet.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, enjoyed the piece.Grizz…………https://www.blogger.com/profile/04828454689578685330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-51976896615543849242008-11-25T07:12:00.000-05:002008-11-25T07:12:00.000-05:00I understand your difficulty in finding suet. Whe...I understand your difficulty in finding suet. Where I used to live I could buy it real cheap. Here if they put it out at all it is priced like a "specialty" meat. I don't render it. I just put it out like it is. The birds still like it.Lisa at Greenbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743973292900758183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-58395500158676582942008-11-25T06:10:00.000-05:002008-11-25T06:10:00.000-05:00OK, Nina, I give up. You win the "best bird feede...OK, Nina, I give up. You win the "best bird feeder" award. Rendering suet is long, hard, messy work, and I applaud you for the effort.<BR/><BR/>As for me, I'll buy commercial suet blocks, and make Julie's recipe from tubs of lard. I just won't let my birds know that they could get home-cooking if they flew several miles north.<BR/><BR/>~Kathi, tired just from readingKathihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186814675058675885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-79530627056806801672008-11-25T05:31:00.000-05:002008-11-25T05:31:00.000-05:00You know you are talented w/ a camera when you can...You know you are talented w/ a camera when you can make suet look nice and you did indeed do that. HA!<BR/><BR/>I was always curious about going to the store and buying the real deal, but have been hesitant due to the smell. I use lard but may be daring enough to try it your way later this winter.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05539583838978744802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-34010567169379284602008-11-24T22:58:00.000-05:002008-11-24T22:58:00.000-05:00So that is how you do it! I just buy the lard in t...So that is how you do it! I just buy the lard in tubs. <BR/><BR/>I'll have to look for suet in the store.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00021360855817039262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-82922375310527193902008-11-24T22:48:00.000-05:002008-11-24T22:48:00.000-05:00Sounds good. I use the Zick dough recipe which c...Sounds good. I use the Zick dough recipe which calls for lard . . . easier to come by, for sure. :) I'll have to try your recipe sometime. We have two or three really good butchers in the area. I'm sure they'd know what suet is! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-6677324977326636212008-11-24T21:23:00.000-05:002008-11-24T21:23:00.000-05:00Never made my own. Keep seeing on blogs, and am b...Never made my own. Keep seeing on blogs, and am beginning to feel quilty. My birds don't have homemade....I do still make homemade biscuits for my family. Does that count?Leedrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04914177127665868671noreply@blogger.com