August 05, 2009
Welcome to the first issue of Simply Canning and More.
I
am so excited that many of you have found Simply Canning helpful,
and would like to see more! I pray that this monthly
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In This Issue
- Simply Canning Updates
- Simple Recipe of the Month
- Home Canning Questions
- Sharon Recommends
- Two Tea Pot Tips
- Featured Canner
Simply Canning Updates
I'm sure many of you are in full swing with your garden and hopefully having success at canning all that produce ... or are you eating it all fresh from the garden?? We are too.My garden is struggling a bit this year. So I am hopeful that I can manage to get enough to can for my family without having to purchase. In the meantime I am managing to put up some jars of food and we are enjoying the fresh produce eaten NOW.
We have many orchards in our area. An orchard just around the corner from us posted a sign..... U-pick ~ Cherries ~ 50 cents a pound
50 Cents a pound?!?!
Guess what.... we got cherries. Hoo boy did we get cherries! 63 pounds the first trip... and 20 more the second trip. Just cause my husband wanted to freeze more. Thank goodness I have some great cherry pitters living in the house. (my husband and sons!)
So that of course led to updating SimplyCanning with how to can cherries pages.
Canning Cherries
Cherry Pie Filling
Cherry Rhubarb Pie Filling
Cherry Jam
I even added a how to freeze cherries page. This method is for freezing cherries individually. Because slurping on a frozen cherry is just like slurping on a popsicle.
What else did I add? Dilly Beans and Canning Carrots.
I've also updated pressure canning and water bath canning directions. I've included more descriptive pictures and reworded some things so I hope they are clearer.
Coming soon on SimplyCanning.com - Canning Terms. Terminology can really mess us up if you think a word means one thing, and I think the same word means something else.
Simple Recipe of the Month
Cherry Filled Oatmeal Bars - it just HAD to be a cherry recipe :0)1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup butter
1 pint cherry jam
Stir flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda.
Cut in softened butter until crumbly.
Press 2/3 of the crumbs into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2 inch pan. I have a Stoneware Bar Pan
that works
perfectly for this.Spread with your Cherry Jam. This is the tricky part. If your jam set up firm like mine did. The crust wants to come up with the jam as it is spreads. But with a steady hand it can be done. A few bits of crust mixed in won't hurt.
Sprinkle the rest of the crumbs on top. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until crust begins to brown. Let cool and cut into bars. Yum.
You can use different flavors of jam, as you prefer. I was thinking about trying my orange marmalade.
Optional - Sprinkle chocolate chips in with the crumbs on top. Or melt the chocolote and drizzle over the top. Chocolate goes well especially with the cherry jam.
Let me know if you try this and like it. Let me know if you adapt it! I love new ideas on simple recipes.
Home Canning Question
I have had several questions regarding canning green beans this past month. All of them were along the lines of "can I water bath can my green beans?" Unfortunately my answer has to be No. Read more here...Sharon Recommends
Even before all the canning equipment and all the food you want to preserve, this book is one of the first things you should get for your recipe bookshelf. If you have no other book about home canning this is the one to get.I have the Ball Blue Book The Guide to Home Canning and Freezing
which is an older and slightly different version. Mine has
been
well used and well loved. The cover is a bit ratty and I was thinking
of updating. While at the hardware store the other day I snuck a peak at this newer more comprehensive book. I like it! It has double the pages and lots of recipes and great instructions.
From Amazons book description:
The book includes comprehensive directions on safe canning and preserving methods plus lists of required equipment and utensils. Specific instructions for first-timers and handy tips for the experienced make the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving a valuable addition to any kitchen library.
Tea Pot Tips
Keep a tea pot filled with water heated when you are canning. It often comes in handy when you need just a bit more water here or there.After you put your jars in a water bath canner, sometimes you realize you need an inch or two more water to cover the jars. If you have your tea-pot going.... hot water is ready. No adding cold water and waiting AGAIN for it to come to a boil.
______
Use your teapot when you are making a brine or syrup that is thin enough to be poured, or if you are pouring plain boiling water over your foods. This avoids the ladle and the spills that inevitably occur.
When I am canning fruit for instance I make my syrup right in my teapot and pour it over the fruit in my jars. It also works for pickling. Mix the brine from your recipe and pour it over your veggies.
It would NOT work however for canning pie filling. That type of liquid would be too thick to pour easily. If your liquid has any type of seasoning that would settle to the bottom, a ladle works better because you can scoop from the bottom and keep the seasonings mixed in as well.
Have a tip you'd like to share? Reply and let me know.
Featured Canner
Just for fun. Got a canning story to share? Get us started. Reply to this newsletter and submit your story. Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing.- What do you like to preserve?
- How much do you put up each year?
- What other preservation methods do you find useful. Dehydrating? Root cellaring?
- What is the most unusual thing you have ever pickled?
- Did you ever have a total flop? Ok be honest.... we might learn from you. Or at least have a good chuckle. We've ALL had flops, right?..... uh right?
- Submit pictures of the work of your hands. ~ Your shelves of home preserved goods. Gift baskets. Picking veggies from the garden. Your local farmers market. Your adorable kids with home made jam all over their faces!
Until next time ~ Have a great month!
Here's a thought to keep your life simple.Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands.... 1Thessalonians 4:11
Sharon