Canning

I was always curious what the difference was between preserves and jam, but it wasn’t important enough to me to go ask someone about it. Haha! When I got into […]

Mmm. Strawberry jam is one of our top 3 favorite flavors. I don’t know why it took me so long to can our own strawberry jam, but this recipe was

Canning chicken stock is a wonderful way to make your food dollar stretch. A whole bird—or even a bag of thighs or leg quarters—can provide more than just meat. You’re

Imagine being able to whip up a batch of coleslaw in less than 5 minutes. Canned coleslaw makes it possible! Now, we can’t can coleslaw in its traditional form with

Blueberry jam is such a welcome change from the usual strawberry or grape. This recipe in particular, with its hint of vanilla and cinnamon, is simply delightful. Why You Might

Pickling cucumbers is a fantastic way to preserve their freshness, making them last longer while adding a tangy flavor that many people love. It’s a simple process that has been

Pickling cucumbers is a wonderful way to enjoy a crisp, tangy, and refreshing snack all year round. But with so many cucumber varieties available, how do you choose the best

You certainly can pickle any kind of cucumber. But the real question is … do you want to? The type of cucumber you choose to pickle is not a safety

So you’re making pickles—or some other pickled product—and wondering how much pickling spice to use? We’ve got you covered. 🙂 If your hands are sticky with pickle brine, and you’re

If you want to keep your home-canned pickles crispy, you’ve probably heard of pickle crisp. But what is it exactly—and do you really need to use it? Let’s discuss! What

Oh, canned green beans. For years we had a love-hate relationship. The crisp snap of a fresh green bean is delightful, so it’s a tad sad to lose that during

Opening a canning jar is pretty self-explanatory. But, every now and then, you’ll come across a jar that sealed a little too good, and the stubborn lid will not budge.

Did you know it’s recommended to NOT store your canning jars with the rings on them? The ring can potentially “hide” a false seal because it continues to hold the

So you’re processing a small load when you realize you don’t have enough jars to fill your water bath canner. What do you do?  The short answer is … no

So yesterday was a productive day. The kids and the new puppy (and the husband!) all cooperated, and you were able to accomplish putting up a nice harvest of tomatoes. 

Need a quick answer? You should let your jars sit untouched for a minimum of 12 hours. Want all the details? Keep reading. 🙂 Why Let Jars Sit After Canning?

Does “false seal” sound a little scary? It implies that the jar looks sealed … but it isn’t. That can be a tad startling for new canners.  But don’t worry.

Usually, when I’m short on time and want to put away chicken for my family to eat later, I seal it up in a vacuum bag and toss it in