Understanding Approved Methods.

Nobody is perfect but I just cringe when I see some of the things about canning posted on the internet. Honestly I think a lot of the people who make videos without using approved methods really aren't trying to prove a method wrong they just don't understand the principles behind why a method is or is not approved.

 For instance, skins left on when they should be removed are a big danger because there is too much possibility of micro amounts of dirt that can still be on them. That dirt can be in a crease in the skin that may not be able to get thoroughly washed out. Take a look at a carrot, they are not smooth, they have those little ridges on them. So do potatoes. Peeling things like carrots and potatoes remove those little creases and therefore help remove the potential of those itty-bitty-smaller-than-the-eye-can-see particles of dirt.

It's common to see videos where people do other things like dry can ground beef. Again, I think they do that because they don't understand the process. It's assumed that it's the time and heat alone that makes the food safe. But think about this, have you ever opened any store bought can of anything (nuts are different) that was dry inside? Nope, they always have liquid in them. Know why? Because the liquid is the vehicle that penetrates all the areas of the food. If you have a jar full of ground beef with no added liquid the meat particles just sit there. As one piece sits on another the area between them may never get hot enough for long enough. That's where the use of the liquid comes in. The liquid gets hot quickly, so hot it boils and jiggles the food in the jar so the food moves around and the heat gets between all the food pieces, no matter how small they are. See, now it makes sense doesn't it? It's very simple but a lot of people never consider it.

 That might give you some idea of why I am so dedicated to using approved methods. I wanted to share this info because one of my You Tube subscribers, Melody Capehart Medina, sent me this link about a very recent, very scary, botulism outbreak. No kidding folks, none of this would have happened if the proper method to can the potatoes had been followed.

https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2015/rapid-response-on-ohios-church-potluck-botulism-outbreak/

I know, I know, I sound like a Negative Nelly but really I'm not. There has been a renewed interest in food preservation. It's easy to see how much more interest there is now. Look at things like Ball revamping their books to make them more up to date looking. They have even come out with three different colors of jars to make canning more appealing and fun instead of what may have been considered a chore in the past. If they want to encourage more and more people to can why on earth would they find ways to make it more of a hassle? Nobody would. They would be looking for ways to make it quicker, easier and more convenient.

 So, until an approved method comes up with an easier way to can something, do the extra work required to make sure it is safely canned. It's well worth it in the long run. And think about how proud you will be when you share your beautiful home canned goods knowing you've done everything right!
                                                      YEA for you, everyone will love you for it.

Chicken Lessons

Every day when I go check on our chickens they run to me as if to say "Hi! What's going on?" They are curious about what I'm doing. They are happy when I talk to them and tell them what I'm doing. They are interested in what I have to say.

Not only that, they are satisfied with what they have. They are low maintenance. They don't complain about what they have or want more than they need.

I guess what it boils down to is that they are happy little creatures that appreciate others and are grateful for what they have. Maybe some people could learn a little from chickens.

Clams!

We went clamming and each got our limit of 12. These are called Empire clams. I'll be making fresh clam strips for dinner tonight. Yum! Next on my list is to can some clam chowder base. That will be awesome to have on hand in the winter.

It's County Fair Time!

It's time for the County Fair and there's lots of things I love about it.  Most of all the grand kids come visit for the week or depending on their swim class schedules and things they come for at least a few days.  I take vacation for the week and this year I REALLY need it.

I love seeing all the wonderful projects people enter.  There are so many terrific things to see and be inspired by.  The anticipation of winning a ribbon on my own entries is always fun.  Riding the rides with my grand kids.  Walking through the livestock areas and seeing how well the 4-H kids have done raising their animals. The rodeo and entertainment is always great to watch. This year our granddaughter wants to enter the pig catching contest.  She has decided that if she catches a pig then Grandpa can raise it for her.  They live in an apartment so Grandpa has agreed if she catches one he will raise it for her.   She says they are so cute when they are babies but when they grow up they become bacon and she loves bacon.  And of course, last but certainly not least the food.  There is always something you can only seem to get once a year at the fair.  For us it's paying a visit to the Scone trailer.  They have the best, great big scones (they cover a paper plate) and you choose what topping you want on it.  Marion Berry is always a favorite.

So, today I'll be baking because I plan to enter some whole wheat bread, banana bread and oatmeal cookies.  I'll also be entering 4 photographs. I'm not a photographer but over the past year I happened to take some pretty cool pictures when I was out and about (I did it on my cell phone too).  What the heck, it doesn't cost anything to enter them so we'll see what happens. I don't expect to get a ribbon on them I just want to see if they get any points. I'll be entering a dozen eggs from our chickens too. Last year I got a 3rd place ribbon so this year I hope to get 2nd or 1st on them.  AND of course I have a list of about 15 canned goods entries to gather up and get ready to go.  I love to get ribbons on my canned goods because that's really my passion.

So off I go.  I'll be busy today because the entries for the fair have to be there tomorrow (Sunday), the judging is on Monday and the fair opens on Tuesday.

Bacon Jam - Only in the fridge!

Recently I was walking through the local Farmer's Market.  I noticed some Bacon Jam for sale at one of the booths.  I asked how it had been processed and the person behind the table said "What do you mean?" I asked if it had been processed in a pressure canner.  She replied "Oh, no it isn't."  She also had no idea what the recipe was.  So, this is meat (low acid food) and she said it isn't processed in a pressure canner. If it isn't processed in a pressure canner then what would the vinegar ratio for a recipe like this be?  It was for sale out there with pretty little labels on the jars.  Maybe those pretty little labels should be a skull and cross bones.  I know that sounds dramatic but honestly this low acid food even though I'm sure it must contain vinegar has to have some specific vinegar ratio or pressure canning guidelines to be a safe product.

So I checked it out and low and behold there are lots and lots of Bacon Jam recipes out there.  Just look online.  You'll see them from All Recipes to Martha Stewart.  But none of the ones I found have any processing  (boil water or pressure canning) instructions.  They all say to store the Bacon Jam in the fridge for 2 - 4 weeks or freeze it.  NO CANNING GUIDELINES!  I called the local extension office to find out if Bacon Jam is safe.  The research  they found also says it is not to be stored at room temperature but refrigerated or frozen instead.

So how was this Bacon Jam being sold on a table, sealed airtight, in the warm sunlight, at the Farmer's Market?  That's a good question.  It's hard for the people who organize those things to know every thing that every booth is selling.  It's pretty much up to the people at the booth to make sure what they sell is safe. But what that tells me is in the end it's really up to each of us to remember to question products.  Especially ones that are home made and sold at places like farmer's markets. I understand our local Extension Office notified the organizer of the Farmer's Market which is the responsible thing to do. If the people selling the Bacon Jam can prove it's processing method and it's safety then so be it.

Remember - Danger Never Takes A Day Off.  Just because you see it for sale doesn't make it safe.

There's nothing like having a quick and easy meal ready to go!

I canned Kidney Beans in Spicy Tomato Juice last night.  There was a bit left over that I didn't can because there really wasn't enough to make a full canner load.  So tonight I used that added to some sausage and poured over rice. It turned out great!  I used up the stuff I didn't get canned but I know that any time I want I can make this meal again using the jars right off my food storage shelves.  I love it!

I LOVE canning dry beans!

I helped at a workshop last weekend where we taught people how to can dried beans.  I forgot how much I love having home canned beans in my pantry.  Last night for dinner I opened a jar of Scarlet Runners I canned last year.  I cooked them with some chopped onion and served them as a side dish.  They were DELISH!

So this weekend I think I'll can some more dried beans.  It's super easy. First you soak them overnight. Then you drain the soaking water off them and put them in a pot covered by fresh water with about an extra inch over the top of the beans.  Boil them for about 30 minutes. Then put the hot beans in hot jars and fill with boiling water then remove the air bubbles.  Add a little salt if you want.  Wipe the rims of the jars and put the lids on. Then pressure can them according to the time and pressure requirements for your altitude (look that up with an approved resource like the Ball Blue Book).  They are so good as a side dish or added to a casserole or soup.

I'm going to do a couple different things to the beans I can.  I think I'll add a little chopped onion to them and some spices then instead of using water as the liquid I think I'll use tomato juice. Those will be perfect as the beginning of several meals.  Just imagine browning some good sausage chunks then adding one of these jars of beans with tomato and spices. Once that's hot and a little thicker it would be perfect over rice.  Kind of like a quick and easy Red Beans and Rice dish.

Now that's a great idea!

Too much thinking!

I'm up again tonight thinking of all the things I need to get done.  The house is almost finished being painted.  Now the yard needs done and I have to go to Salem on Sunday.  I'll be there until Friday for work.  But the best thing about my upcoming week is that by next weekend everything will be done and I'll get to can some tomato sauce!  YEA!!!  I'm looking forward to it.

Plans for a great dinner!

I will be a little short on time tomorrow after work so I had to think of a something yummy but quick and easy for dinner.  With all the goodies I have preserved in my pantry it isn't hard.  So, I'm going to use some of my frozen egg noodles, canned chicken thighs, mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream and Parmesan cheese.  While the noodles cook I'll take the liquid from the canned chicken thighs and mix it with the cream of chicken soup and a little sour cream and some mushrooms and Parmesan cheese and of course some herbs like parsley and parika. No measurements here, just what looks good. When the noodles are done I'll drain them and then put them in a casserole dish.  Then I'll gently turn the soup mixture into the noodles.  The heat from the noodles will loosen up the mixture and blend it in nicely.  Then I'll take the chicken thighs and place them on top of the noodles.  I'll pop that into the oven at about 350 until the thighs are hot and the noodle mixture bubbles.  When that happens I'll turn on the broiler for a couple minutes just to brown the top of the thighs (it looks nicer that way).  With some home canned green beans and corn bread (I'm making that today) we'll have a nice dinner quick and easy.  YUM.

4:00 am and I'm thinking about potatoes!

I woke up at 4:00 am and the first thing that came to my mind was how to organize my day so I can get some potatoes canned.  I have cleaning and some reorganizing to do around the house but I also have some potatoes I need to can.  What takes precedence?  The potatoes of course!  I seem to think of ways to work around canning projects often.  I'm not obsessed or addicted am I?  Well maybe I kind of am but at least it's a good obsession/addiction right?

So I'm going to can some potatoes today.  I'm going to add some herbs to them because it really makes them nice.  A little garlic powder and parsley will make them really nice to mash right out of the jar (drain them first).  Heat them up and add a little milk and butter and mash them.  Super yummy!  Or brown them by melting a little butter in a skillet, drain off the liquid and put them in the skillet to brown with a little chopped onion.  Again super yummy.

Or, use the browned potatoes and sprinkle them with some cheese and pop them in the oven for the cheese to melt over them. I use a cast iron skillet so I can go right from the stove top to the oven.  It's a great side dish for pork chops or meat loaf or lots of things.

Well now you can see why I think of ways to work around canning projects.  There are so many ways to use the things I can.  I love having the convenience and flexibility of having things as simple as potatoes on hand.