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Preserving Fresh Salsa
Want to enjoy that summertime fresh salsa in the winter? Follow these steps to keep your cupboard full of delicious salsa made from your own kitchen. This is a water bath canning recipe using a mild salsa recipe made with fresh tomatoes, onion, peppers, garlic and a handful of spices. Start with my fresh salsa recipe. Try not to alter the tomato to pepper to onion ratio, as this is the right combination of acid for water bath canning. Only adjust the heat by switching the peppers to a spicier type, if needed, keeping the cupful's the same. I use 2 jalapenos in this recipe. For a spicier salsa, habanero…
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Fresh Salsa
Fresh salsa in the summer time with a handful of tortilla chips is a nice afternoon snack. I like to grow many types of tomatoes, peppers and onions. Mixing them together with garlic and other spices as a fresh salsa is just about perfect. All that is missing is a refreshing drink. This salsa is mild and a family favorite. Start by collecting many tomatoes, any kind will work. I mix them up and use all types, from slicing to Roma to cherry tomatoes. This recipe needs 10 cups of tomatoes diced. Wash tomatoes and cut off ends. Cut tomatoes into half or quarter pieces to check the inside for…
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Concord Grape Jelly
I have a grape vine that is very old and produces the tastiest concord grapes. Every year, in September, they are ready to harvest. With a bucket full of grapes to use, I make grape juice and, of course, delicious concord grape jelly. This concord grape jelly is sweet and full of grape flavor. I really like that this one is not too sweet like the store jelly that has way too much sugar. I like tasting the grape flavor and spreading it one toast and sandwiches. Start with picking and washing at least 4 quarts of grapes. Having too many is better than shorting yourself and not getting enough…
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Ten Beginner Garden Plants
Starting a garden might seem intimidating or hard to do but it doesn't have to be. The goal might be to have a huge beautiful garden and with time and effort, that may happen. The plan is to start small and work your way up. If starting with tomatoes and peppers is where you are comfortable, then do it. Something growing is better than nothing at all. These are ten beginner garden plants that can be grown for beginner gardeners. These two grow nicely together. Potatoes like well drained loose soil. Dig a trench and burry potato slips into the ground or put them in a raised garden bed that…
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Apricot Pepper Jelly
Sweet and spicy jelly perfect for covering cream cheese. During pepper season, I try to use up a lot of peppers in jellies. Some jellies will be spicier than others, substituting banana peppers for jalapenos or habaneros. While also mixing up some colors with onions and bell peppers. Use what you like or have on hand but stay consistent to the amount of pepper, onion and fruit quantities to have the right balance or acid in the jellies. This recipe is for apricot pepper jelly using banana peppers, red onion and green bell peppers. Cut dried apricots into small 1/4th inch size pieces. You can either use pre-dried apricots or…
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Elderberry Syrup
Simple elderberry syrup made with honey. Elderberries are a great way to help boost the immune system and help your body fight illness. In the winter, a teaspoon a day will help prevent sickness. I like to take it before traveling or going new places to boost my immune system. It can even help reduce the recovery time if you are already sick. Elderberry syrup is also great in tea mixed with ginger, clove and citrus. Elderberries are naturally tart and require some cooking to eat. Uncooked elderberries can cause stomach upset and possible headaches. It is recommended to cook them for at 15 minutes before eating. While children can…
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Canned Sweet Corn
Fresh sweet corn in summer reminds me why I love the Midwest. I grow my own sweet corn and do eat it fresh. Although, it seems like sweet corn season is too short. With this method, enjoying canned sweet corn is an all year around treat. I add corn to salsa, mexican dinner bowls, or simply next to a baked potato. I have even enjoyed it as a snack with salt and butter. Now anyone can enjoy canned sweet corn. Peel and wash sweet corn. Prepare pressure canner by adding water into the pot and start heating up the water. Lid stays off at this time. Boil water in a…
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Hard Wheat Yeast Rolls
These hard wheat yeast rolls are made with freshly milled flour and are fast and easy to make when I need something to travel with or a quick roll or bun. They are light and fluffy with a mild flavor. Also, packed full of nutrients and fiber to help with weight loss. Freshly milled flour rolls are much more filling than store bought rolls, so enjoy one with every meal. I use either white or red hard wheat berries. White wheat will give you more of that store bought bread taste, while red wheat is nutty and can be complex. A hard wheat is needed for a good rise. I…
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Hard White Wheat Spaghetti Noodles with pasta roller
Spaghetti night is a weekly meal in our home. From the noodles to the sauce, these are real and healthy homemade ingredients. I freshly mill the flour and use our own chicken eggs. This recipe is just for the noodles but if you need a basic tomato sauce to help cover up these tender and chewy spaghetti noodles, I can help you out. If you do not have a pasta roller, rolling by hand is doable but more labor intensive. Down below find out how to make hard white wheat spaghetti noodles with a past roller. I have been milling my own wheat for awhile now. When I found out…
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Canning Tomato Sauce
With a summer full of tomatoes, I like to can as many for the winter as possible. Today I am canning tomato sauce but it will work for diced tomatoes to sauces and pastes. The process is fairly simple and great for beginning canners, homesteaders or self reliance efforts. Canning tomato sauce is great for pasta, pizza and casserole dishes. I just add the seasoning with each meal at the time of making it. Make tomato sauce by simmering pureed tomatoes until the sauce is the desired thickness. I have a recipe for basic tomato sauce if needed. Sauce must be hot when canning into jars. Measure out how much…
