Bird Feed Cones Food

FOR-THE-BIRDS FEEDER

Steps:

• Use the pencil to poke a hole in the pointed end of the ice cream cone.
• Twist a knot in the end of the pipe cleaner. Thread the pipe cleaner into the ice cream cone and out the hole (the knot will hold the pipe cleaner in place).
• Use the table knife to spread the peanut butter on the outside of the cone. Press the cereal all over the peanut butter to cover the cone. Sprinkle the birdseed over the cone, pressing it into the peanut butter with your fingers.

BIRD FEED CONES

Steps:

• Tie ribbon, string or yarn to pine cone at bottom (narrow, pointy end). Cut ribbon to desired length.
• Melt peanut butter and shortening in small saucepan. Add cornmeal. Heat and stir for 3 to 4 minutes until well mixed.
• Transfer cornmeal mixture to shallow pie plate. Roll pine cone in warm mixture, using a rubber spatula, if necessary, to gently spread mixture over and in between "petals" of cones.
• Place birdseed in deep bowl. Holding pine cone in bowl, spoon birdseed over top, pushing with tip of spoon into cornmeal mixture. Chill on waxed paper lined baking sheet. Can be frozen. Hang from sturdy branch in summer or winter.
• Company's Coming - Gifts from the Kitchen.

RENDERING BEEF FAT FOR SUET CAKES AND CONES (BIRD FOOD)

Steps:

• Using a large knife, cut the frozen raw suet into chunks.
• Place about 2 cups of these chunks into a heatproof (glass or ceramic) container. Cover with a lid or dinner plate and microwave on HIGH for 5 - 8 minutes.
• Pour or strain the liquid fat into another heatproof container (I use glass measuring cups) and set aside.
• Continue until all the raw suet has been processed. Discard what is left of the 'chunks'. You now have several containers of rendered fat. Easy, isn't it.
• At this point, you can proceed with making the 'cakes' or refrigerate the fat for another time.
• To make Cakes and Cones:.
• Use lengths of thin wire or string to make a hanger for the cones. Starting at the base of the cone, weave the wire around the cone towards the top. Leave enough to form a loop, then weave back down to the base. Tie to secure.
• Melt the specified amount of rendered fat in the microwave.
• As the fat begins to cool, it will become cloudy and thicken. It is at this point that you can add the remaining ingredients and press into the molds or pine cones.
• Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• When they have hardened, unmold and wrap the cakes/cones in waxed paper. These can now be stored indefinitely in the freezer.