One of my favorite tastes of the summer is that of a fresh, homegrown tomato. And one of our family’s favorite ways to eat tomatoes during the year is in a delicious, chunky, salsa. Here’s a great recipe for zesty salsa, adapted slightly from the Ball Canning Blue Book, to make do with the peppers […]
Easy Jelly for Hot Days
There was a conversation about making jelly the other day on social media. Someone wanted to make jelly, but it was a hot day and she really wasn’t feeling up to it. Jellies and jams can certainly be challenging in hot weather IF they are made in the traditional way.
Easy and Delicious Refrigerator Pickles
Canning intimidates me. I’ve been told many times that is SHOULDN’T…. but alas, I’m still intimidated. Enter the refrigerator pickle. We had a bumper crop of cucumbers this year and I didn’t know what to do with them. I learned about refrigerator pickles and I haven’t looked back. They are simple, quick and the best […]
How to Make Apricot Jam
Herbed Peach Rosemary Preserves Canning How-To
Peaches! Is there any flavor more full of summer sunshine and good feelings than the freshly picked peach? This is a great recipe for canning herbed peaches to enhance the flavor of your jam or preserves. With the addition of rosemary – one of my favorite herbs – I don’t think you could get this […]
Piccalilli – Green Tomato Relish
Like so many of us with gardens, you are probably gazing at those tomatoes just waiting for them to turn red. Well wait no longer! Green tomatoes don’t have to sit on the vine, and you can do more than fry them. Enjoy this unique relish called Piccalilli, from Backyard Homestead Adventure. I never even knew […]
Homemade Mint Jelly for Garden Fresh Produce
Mint is one of those unstoppable herbs in the garden. It will bounce back from heavy pruning, too much rain, or not enough water. It will also spread and fill whatever container (or garden area) that it is planted in, giving you plenty of fresh herbs to use in the kitchen. One recipe you must […]
Pickled Asparagus With Dill and Garlic
I love asparagus, but since the full harvest comes in over the course of just a few too-short weeks, you may find yourself with more asparagus harvested than you can eat immediately. That’s why this recipe is such a perfect addition to the Eating Garden Fresh series — you can preserve the asparagus through a […]
Get Prepared (for Everyday Needs) – Preparing Meals in Advance
So far, our focus for getting prepared has been on preparing to live without electricity or contact with the outside world for 30 days. This most likely would only occur if there were a major storm or other natural disaster, since most power outages are only for a few days. But, there are a lot […]
Make Your Own Pure Vanilla Extract
If you’re a baker (even if only once in a while), you know how important it is to have vanilla on hand. Oh sure, you can purchase the typical imitation vanilla or the commercial version of pure vanilla extract. But you’ll never know if it’s adulterated (unknown additives) or not, and you won’t have the […]
How to Make Easy, Delicious and Healthy Freezer Applesauce
During the fall, apples are in abundance and are typically very affordable, being a seasonal fruit. There are a lot of useful benefits to seasonal fruits and vegetables, and there are a few ways of preserving them that will allow you to enjoy their fresh taste all winter and spring! For me, the easiest thing to do with […]
Drying Sweet Basil in a Home Dehydrator
It was time to begin harvesting our sweet basil crop – this year I picked up a cheap dehydrator (not the brand I want for long-term use but it will work for now) to make preserving herbs a lot easier. Harvest basil in the morning when essential oils are the most concentrated in the leaves. […]
