So proud of myself plus a question on canning.

[sune42]

Quote:
Not yet, it's in the plans for tonight after work. I have the stuff to do jelly too, but I am unsure about the straining thing. I have cheesecloth and that's it. Not sure if that's enough to get it clear. That's why I thought the butter would be better. Time consuming I am ok with. I have other projects tonight (yogurt and bread) that will keep me busy while it's cooking down.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Jam is better than jelly anyway IMO...no straining required!

 

[Keene's coop]

when i do my jelly and jams, i do not give them the hot bath. as soon as i put the jam or jelly in a jar, i put the lid on immediatly and put the jar on a towel with the lid down (jar would be upside down). wait about 10 min and flip the far over. most of the time the lids pop in with in 15-20 min. sometimes i have to pop the lids down myself. i do not refrigerate them either, unless the lids will not pop them selves.

apple butter

my grandma makes it all the time. it is so good. she is teaching me how to can cuz no one else in the family wants to learn except me. well more for me and my family.

 

[yotetrapper]

Oh, jelly is so simple. Cheesecloth is all you need, all I've ever used. Follow your recipe, then make a bag out of your cheesecloth. To do this, cut a BIG piece of it a few layers thick, and line a big ol bowl with it, making sure its big enough to come out over the top of the bowl on all sides. Then pour your jelly into it, gather up the ends, and tie it. I then use the string I tied it with to hang it from a sturdy cup hook in my kitchen, and let it drain into the bowl for a few hours. That simple. Even easier and ohhh so good.... strawberry Jam, no straining required!

 

[chickabator]

best applebutter i have done is the crock pot apple butter do a search on here soooo soooo easy to do and taste oooo sooooo goooood!

 

[TifsBroodyBabes]

Quote:
I agree! Thats how I make my peach,pear and plum butters too!!!

 

[sune42]

I have never smelled anything so good as the pot of apple goo and spices that is on my stove right now.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I bet it smells delicious!!!!

 

[sune42]

Some feedback from my first adventure in canning.

1. I only burned myself with extremely boiling water twice and steam couple of times.
2. I only burned myself with molten apple goo once, that was enough to learn my lesson.
3. I am really going to have to get a bigger stockpot, as I couldn't put my steamer on can lids, it was too tall. On the bottle caps was almost too tall. (the hot glue held, woot!)
4. Don't forget to get air bubbles. I had to remove lids and do air bubbles 'cause I forgot. (I also forgot to puree my apple goo, oops)
5. After pulling the first 4 half pints out, almost right away I got a chorus of 'pings' I was pretty happy, I guess the Canning Gods are forgiving.
6. I can't wait to do this again!

ETA

The last two half pints 'pinged' right away. My last observation is this stuff is so sweet it sets my teeth on edge. Because this is something without pectin could I use less sugar? Or would that mess up the PH balance?

 

[DuckLady]

Great job! When canning, there is no sweeter sound than that chorus of pings!