canning 101

15 steps to canning your beautiful harvest!!

1) Wash canning jars in hot sudsy water; rinse. Cover with boiling water until ready to fill. Jars used in recipes in which food is processed for less than 10 minutes must be sterilized by immersion in boiling water for 10 minutes. Prepare lids and screw bands according to manufacturer's directions.

2) Fill canner with water; start heating. I uses a Back To Basics stove top water bath canner and I love it!!

3) Prepare only as much food as needed to fill the maximum number of jars your canner will hold at one time. Work quickly, keeping work area clean.

4) Place hot jars on cotton towels to prevent slippage while filling.

5) Fill jars, leaving recommended headspace (space between top of food and jar rim) to promote sealing. Add salt to canned vegetables, if desired (use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon for pints; 1/2 to 1 teaspoon for quarts)

6) Add boiling liquid to jar, keeping specified headspace.

7) Release trapped air bubbles in jar by gently working a nonmetallic utensil around the jar's sides. Add liquid if needed to maintain headspace.

8) Wipe jar rim with clean, damp cloth (food on the rim prevents a perfect seal).

9) Position prepared lid and screw band, tightening according to manufacturer's instructions.

10) Set each jar into the canner as it is filled; jars should not touch.

11) Cover canner; process as directed.

12) Remove jars; set on towels or rack, leaving at least 1 inch between jars.

13) After jars are completely cooled (12 to 24 hours), press center of each lid. If dip in lid holds, the jar is sealed. If lid pops up and down, jar isn't sealed. Unsealed jars can be refrigerated and used within 2 or 3 days, frozen (allow 1-1/2-inch headspace), or reprocessed within 24 hours. To reprocess, use a clean jar and a new lid; process for the full length of time. Mark label and use any recanned jars first. If the jars have lost liquid but are still sealed, the contents are safe. However, any food that is not covered by liquid will discolor. Use these jars first.

14) Wipe jars and lids to remove any food residue. Remove, wash, and dry screw bands; store for future use. Label jars with contents and date; include a batch number if doing more than one canner load per day. (If one jar spoils, you can easily identify any others from that canner load.) Store jars in a cool (50 to 70 degrees F), dry, dark place. Use within one year.

15) Enjoy the fruits and vegetables of you labor!!

stuffed peppers

This is so good and can be made surprisingly quick!  My 2 year old likes it so much he'll even eat most of the pepper too!!

4 Bell peppers, hollowed out

1 box of spanish rice (we use Near East) and follow the package instructions

1/2- 1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained

1/2 c. grated cheese

1 sm. can of tomato paste

Preheat oven to 350 F. One rice is finished cooking and you've browned and drained your beef, mix them together.  Stuff peppers with mixture then sprinkle cheese over the tops of each pepper.  Neatly top with tomato paste and bake for 25 minutes.  Voila!!

tomato sauce

Tis the season for canning your yummy garden tomatoes. Once you make your own sauce, you'll never buy it again!!

10 ripe tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup Burgundy wine
1 bay leaf
2 stalks celery
2 tablespoons tomato paste

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Have ready a large bowl of iced water. Plunge whole tomatoes in boiling water until skin starts to peel, 1 minute. Remove with slotted spoon and place in ice bath. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then remove peel and squeeze out seeds. Chop 8 tomatoes and puree in blender or food processor. Chop remaining two tomatoes and set aside.

In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook onion, bell pepper, carrot and garlic in oil and butter until onion starts to soften, 5 minutes. Pour in pureed tomatoes. Stir in chopped tomato, basil, Italian seasoning and wine. Place bay leaf and whole celery stalks in pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 2 hours. Stir in tomato paste and simmer an additional 2 hours. Discard bay leaf and celery and serve.

renee's best roast turkey gravy

Homemade turkey gravy is the best and pretty simple , below are the 2 basic ways of making gravy from turkey drippings, the first is to use corn starch, the second one uses flour. Both start with your delicious turkey drippings. Sometimes you may have  more drippings than you need for the amount of gravy you want to make, for each cup of gravy you want to make you need 2 tablespoons of drippings.  The following is to make 2 cups of gravy so you can double it depending on how much gravy you need!!

While your turkey is roasting make your turkey stock for your gravy.

8 cup(s) water
3 large carrots, cut into large chunks
3 large stalks celery, cut into large chunks
2 medium onions, cut into chucks
1 small garlic clove
2 whole bay leaves
1 sprig rosemary
1 steam sage
Giblets and neck from turkey, DO NOT USE THE LIVER
Salt & WHITE Pepper to taste

In 8-quart stockpot or sauce pot, place water, carrots, celery, onions, and bay leaves. Cover until it boils then add giblets, neck, and 1/2 TSP. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for about an hour. Strain stock into large bowl, discarding vegetables, neck and giblets. You can refrigerate stock for up to 3 days or freeze for 3 months!

Making Gravy with Corn Starch

Place 2 TBS of the drippings in the pan. Dissolve 2 TBS of corn starch in the minimum amount of turkey stock needed to make a thin paste roughly 1/4 C. Pour into pan with drippings and use a wire whisk to blend into the drippings. Stir with a wire whisk until the gravy begins to thicken. As it thickens, slowly add 1 3/4 C turkey stock and 1/4 C good quality heavy cream to the pan and 1 TBS white wine. Alternate stirring and adding liquid, maintaining the consistency you want, for about 5 minutes.  you will end up with about 2 cups of gravy. Season with salt, white pepper!! ENJOY!!

Gravy with Flour

Place 2 TBS of the drippings in the pan and stir in 1 to 2 TBS of flour. Stir with a wire whisk until the flour has thickened and the gravy is smooth. Continue to cook slowly to brown the flour, and stir constantly. Slowly add back some of the previously removed drippings. In addition, add 1 3/4 C stock and 1/4 C good quality heavy cream to the gravy and 1 TBS white wine. Season the gravy with salt, white pepper!! ENJOY!!

chocolate sour cream sheet cake

One of my favorite chocolatey quick and easy desserts. Perfect for potluck parties or a dessert to go :)

1 c salted sweet cream butter
1 c water
1/4 c dark cocoa
2 c sugar. sifted
2 c flour
1/8 tsp salt
2 large eggs, whisked
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 c real sour cream
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Combine butter, water, and cocoa in saucepan over medium heat; heat until butter melts. Add sugar, flour, salt, eggs, soda, sour cream, and vanilla; mix well. Pour into a 15x10x1-inch sheet pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. DO NOT OVER BAKE!!

Frosting:
1/2 c salted sweet cram butter
1/4 c dark cocoa
1/4 cup and 2 T milk
1 pound confectioners' sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Combine butter, cocoa, and milk in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients and mix well with electric mixer. Spread over the hot sheet cake. Enjoy!!

maple salmon

This is one of my boys favorite dinners. If you love Salmon , you will love this!

1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
2 table spoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound salmon

In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper. Place salmon in a shallow glass baking dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning once. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, and bake salmon uncovered 20 minutes, or until easily flaked with a fork. Enjoy!!

chocolate zucchini cake

I got this yummy recipe from my friend Liz. Talk about a great way to hide veggies.... it is so yummy and moist that your kiddos (or anyone else for that matter) won't even notice the zucchini!!

1 cup butter
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
3 cups flour
3 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 c cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
4 eggs

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in zucchini. Pour into a jelly roll pan or a 9 x 13 pan for thicker slices. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Frost with your favorite homemade chocolate frosting. Enjoy!!!

perfect whipped cream cheese icing

perfect and creamy!!

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 c heavy cream

Combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract large mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until smooth. While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a couple of times while you continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak. Enjoy on your favorite dessert!!

jackson's lemon key lime cake

My son turned 11 yesterday and asked me to make him a key lime pie for his birthday cake. I told him that wasn't exactlly a birthday cake so he said "well, then make me a lemon key lime cake!" I looked at my recipe's and combined 2 to make a really yummy cake and he loved it and I hope you will too!!

Lemon Sour Cream Cake:
2 sticks butter
2 c. sugar
1/2 pt. sour cream
4 eggs, beaten (beat in one at a time)
3 c. sifted flour, sifted 5 times (cake flour optional)
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. lemon extract
2 tsp lemon zest

Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Set to the side 3 cups sifted cake flour and baking soda. Mix eggs, butter, sugar and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Slowly add flour mix, then lemon extract and zest. Grease and flour a 9x13 glass pan and bake for 1 hour. QUICK TIP: Put water in a pan and place it underneath the cake on a rack. This keeps the cake soft.

Key Lime filling:
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 c heavy whipping cream (don't whip)
1/2 cup Key Lime juice
Zest of 1 lime
1/8 tsp green gel food coloring

In a medium bowl, stir together filling ingredients. It will thicken upon stirring.

Let cake cool completely and with the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes almost to the bottom of the cake every 2 inches. Pour filling over cake and spread evenly over the surface, filling holes (some of the filling will remain on the top of the cake) Refrigerate for at least an hour.

Whipped Cream Icing:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c heavy cream

Combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract large mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until smooth. While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a couple of times while you continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak.

Frost cake with Whipped Cream Icing and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy!!

renee's bbq sauce

Summer means one thing BBQ and nothing beats a good bbq sauce and I am sure you will LOVE this one!!

4 Tb butter
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onions
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped garlic

2 T Worcestershire Sauce
2 1/4 t SWEET paprika
2 t dry mustard
1 1/4 t salt
1/2 t black pepper
1/4 t cayenne pepper (opt)
1/4 t ground clove
6-ounce can tomato paste
1 cup REAL Coca Cola
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup cider vinegar
6 tablespoons dark brown sugar

In a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat, add the butter and, when melted, add the onions and cook until they are very soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes, or until the tomato paste begins to brown. Add the Coke, water, cider vinegar, and dark brown sugar, and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 30 minutes. Marinate, baste and enjoy on your favorite meat!!

michelle's bacon souffle

Perfect for Father's Day!!

4 egg yolks
4 egg whites
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
dash of ground red pepper
1 c. milk
2 c. Cheddar cheese, Colby, Havarti, Swiss or Pepper Jack, shredded
(I like to crumble bacon in ours when add the cheese mixture with the egg yolks. Spinach is also very good!)

Allow egg whites and egg yolks to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
For cheese sauce, in medium sauce pan melt butter; stir in flour, dry mustard, and red pepper. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat. Add cheese, a little at a time, stirring until melted. In medium bowl beat egg yolks with a fork until combined. Slowly add cheese sauce to egg yolks, stirring constantly*. Cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl beat egg whites with electric mixer on medium to high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold about 1 c. of the stiffly beaten egg whites into cheese sauce. Gradually pour cheese sauce over remaining stiffly beaten egg whites, folding to combine. Pour into an ungreased 1 1/2 quart souffle dish or into ramekins. Bake 350 F. for about 30-40 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Let sit 5 minutes and serve.

raspberry pecan smoothie

Ok, This is really good, but not my idea!
Thanks Renee!!!
Delicious!

3 cups raspberries
3 1/2 cups ice
2 cups yogurt or milk
1/2 cup pecans
3 tbsp. honey

Get out your best blender and add ice and start blending. Blend in pecans and raspberries. Add yogurt and honey and ENJOY!!!!!!!

easy pudding pops

what's better than pudding... frozen pudding! This is so easy and everyone will love it on hot summer days!!

2 cups low-fat
1 small box of instant pudding any flavor

Prepare pudding according to package directions. Freeze pudding in pop molds or spoon into small plastic cups and insert popsicle sticks or plastic spoons. Place in freezer until solid. Enjoy!!

ayden's rootbeer bbq sauce

Ayden loves rootbeer and since we made a coke bbq sauce he wanted to make a rootbeer bbq sauce and boy was it yummy!!

1 (2 liter) bottle root beer
8 ounce can crushed pineapple
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup yellow mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons cold sweet cream salted butter

Reduce the root beer to 1 cup over medium heat in a large saucepan, this takes about one hour. Add the apple cider vinegar, ketchup, Yellow Mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire Sauce, Tabasco, pineapple, salt and pepper. Stir well and simmer for twenty minutes. Finish the sauce by whisking in the cold butter. Enjoy on your favorite grilled meat!!

ice cream in a bag

Milk can become homemade ice cream in five minutes by using a baggie! This homemade, creamy treat is a summertime delight for kids and adults :)

1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons rock salt
1 pint-size Ziploc baggie
1 gallon-size Ziploc baggie
ice cubes

Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag. Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it. Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully. Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes. Wipe off the top of the small bag, open it carefully. Enjoy!

coco baby bum cream

 Better than anything you can buy in the store!!

1 1/2 ounces coco butter
1 1/2 ounces sweet almond oil
2 tablespoons beeswax, grated
1/4 tsp vitamin E
4 drops of Melaleuca oil

Pour the sweet almond oil and coco butter into a small stainless steel pan over low heat. Add slightly less of the grated beeswax than called for and stir until melted.

OK this is a little tricky:

You need to test the consistency of the mixture by putting a small amount on a teaspoon and placing it in the refrigerator. (In the meantime your salve should remain on low heat on the stove top.) After a minute in the frig, the salve will harden to its finished consistency. To check this, it should be firm so that it does not melt when you touch it, but soft enough that you can easily pull some away from the spoon with your finger (like vaseline). If it’s too hard, add more oil, if it’s too soft, add more beeswax. When you’ve reached a good consistency, remove from heat and add the coco butter, Vitamin E and Melaleuca. Give it a good mix until really creamy, then add it to your air tight container and let it cool to room temperature. You can store it for up to 3 months!! Make sure not to double dip ;)

flower child (Calendula) baby bum cream

a great way to ease a red bottom or treat diaper rash!!

1/2 cup sweet almond oil
2-3 drops pure lavender oil
2-3 drops pure Melaleuca oil
1/4cup PURE Calendula Ointment

Mix all the ingredients together well an transfer to an airtight jar or bottle to use for applying to baby bottom. You can store it for up to 3 months in an airtight container but be very careful not to double dip!

cucumber aloe cooling sunburn pack

 This is a great sunburn remedy. I use it regularly when my family gets to much sun. Use it immediately the same day you get sunburned.

200 mg aspirin, crushed
1 cucumber, peeled and mashed
1/4 cup pure aloe vera gel

Crush aspirin with the back of a spoon until fine and put into a small container that has a lid. Take a small fresh cucumber cut into small pieces and put in a food processor and mash until you get a "paste". Combine cucumber, aspirin and Aloe in container and mix well. Put on lid and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Wash and dry the affected area and apply this cooling pack for 30 minutes, minimum. Use this pack twice a day for a few days or until you feel cooling from your sunburn. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

lemon meringue face mask

This fragrant mask cleans pores and helps prevent and gets rid of black heads.

2 egg whites
1 teaspoon of lemon juice

Combine the lemon juice and egg white in a bowl and beat until fluffy. Apply to your face, avoid getting too close to your eyes. Wait for 10-20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

avo-carrot mask

This is a rich moisturizing mask for normal skin types.

1/2 ripe avocado

1 carrot
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

The carrot needs to be soft and should be cook until soft and then blended with the ripe avocado and olive oil in a blender. Apply to the face. Leave on for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. Don't leave this mask on for too long, it will color your skin!

cucumber reviving mask

Cucumber revives the skin, you will love this mask!

1/2 cucumber
1 tablespoon yogurt

Puree cucumber and yogurt in a blender, apply to your face evenly. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or soft wash cloth.

strawberry facial scrub

Use this on normal or combination skin. The strawberry seeds exfloiate old skin while the yogurt sooths.

1/4 cup plain yogurt; chilled
3-4 strawberries; mashed

Stir ingredients together. Apply to freshly cleaned face and gently massage strawberry misxture to exfloiate. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

coconut lemon body scrub

simply refreshing!!

1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sea salt
1 teaspoon pure lemon extract
3/4 cup virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon of honey

Mix brown sugar and salt, then add lemon extract, virgin coconut oil and honey, mix well. Store in a airtight container.

"breakfast" body scrub

Breakfast for your skin!!

3/4 cup dark Brown Sugar
1/2 cup ground oatmeal (not instant)
1/4 cup pure honey
3/4 to 1 cup Oil of choice - I like Grape seed or Sweet Almond
1/4 tsp Vanilla Essential Oil

Mix the brown sugar & oatmeal together in a large bowl. Now add the honey. Drizzle the oil over the mix. Mix well. When all your mix is saturated and sinks to the bottom of the bowl and you have oil on top you're done. Add your essential oil and stir gently. Store in airtight eight ounce wide-mouthed jar.

cina-ginger salt scrub

It's summer time that means it's time to scrub away your winter skin!!

1 cup sea salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup almond oil or olive oil

Mix all ingredients together, then gently rub over your damp skin (except your face) to slough off dry skin. Rinse with warm water.