What are you canning now?

[Glasshen]

Hi Rancher, the tops should be fine, just resterilize them next time.

 

[rancher hicks]

Thanks, I didn't know. It's alot of work canning stuff you know can't risk not having something seal.

 

[WYNot]

Two batches of honey butter ambrosia. In jelly jars in the freezer so we can take it out and use it as needed. Freezes well.

Double batch of vanilla liqueur. approx. 2L. Great in coffee.

Batch of vanilla extract, approx. 500mL. MUCH better than the store bought stuff.

 

[KentuckyMom]

How do you make the vanilla extract? Do you grow the vanilla beans ?Where do you get them? I bought a jar of them marked down once but never figured out what to do with them. Vanilla extract has become so high priced to buy!

 

[KentuckyMom]

6 8oz and 6 40z  Raspberry/Gooseberry/Currant  jam. Plus another 8 oz or so for the house.  I had more than the jars I
sterilized so I put it in a glass for immediate use.
 
It's kinda tart but not overly so. 

I was told the Gooseberry/ginger was kinda like a marmalade. 

Now I've seen the Blue jars, but not the green or red. However they are a bit more expensive than the clear. 

Oh and I saw some cheap canning books on E bay if you have a mind to order one. 

Does anyone order jars in bulk of the internet?  

Does anyone have a recipe for Gooseberry jelly?  

Rancher,
Where did you buy your gooseberry plants? How long did they take to produce? My grandmother had a " hedge" of them when I was a little girl and made gooseberry jelly every year. Alas, the recipe never got written down that I' m aware of and my grandmother's house and gooseberry patch are long gone... I have always wanted to have my own gooseberries someday, but have not found any locally.

 

[rancher hicks]

Rancher,
Where did you buy your gooseberry plants? How long did they take to produce? My grandmother had a " hedge" of them when I was a little girl and made gooseberry jelly every year. Alas, the recipe never got written down that I' m aware of and my grandmother's house and gooseberry patch are long gone... I have always wanted to have my own gooseberries someday, but have not found any locally.

I got mine at the local Country Max. I do know there are places to order them . Mine haven't done well, but there is a farm that grows them and I pick them there.
Raspberries, currants and gooseberries.

A good plant might take a couple of years. I keep trying and hoping.

I have a couple of recipes for jelly or jam. So far the Raspberry/currant/ gooseberry came out good and the gooseberry ginger too. I've got one that uses Pomegranate juice I intend to make. I'll keep you posted.

 

[3goodeggs]

How do you make the vanilla extract? Do you grow the vanilla beans ?Where do you get them? I bought a jar of them marked down once but never figured out what to do with them. Vanilla extract has become so high priced to buy!

http://tidymom.net/2012/recipe-for-vanilla/#_a5y_p=1028626
I so want to make my own. I was talking about buying the bean, but my husband bought me the vanilla orchid instead. Hopefully I will be able to keep it alive. How cool would that be?

 

[aceschix]

Quote: We make our own here. Super yummy!!

Just in case you don't know you can order bulk vanilla beans from Amazon for much cheaper than your local spice stores.

 

[WYNot]

How do you make the vanilla extract? Do you grow the vanilla beans ?Where do you get them? I bought a jar of them marked down once but never figured out what to do with them. Vanilla extract has become so high priced to buy!

Don't buy grocery store beans. WAY overpriced and who knows how long they've been sitting on the shelf. I buy mine from Beanilla through Amazon. I use the Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans (http://www.beanilla.com/madagascar-vanilla-beans).

These guys have great prices and also sell through Amazon.

Homemade Vanilla Extract
http://www.beanilla.com/blog/homemade-vanilla-extract

Basically...

Simply take 5 whole vanilla beans, split lengthwise and add to 8 ounces of 35%+ alcohol. After 8 short weeks the extract is ready to enjoy.

The link provides more detailed directions as well as some variations and suggestions.

I cut mine in half across the bean (so you have two pieces) then slice it nearly in half lengthwise so the ends are still attached and it forms a "V".

I normally just use the cheap 80 proof (40% ABV) vodka. If you want to get picky, you can run it through a brita filter a few times to "improve" the vodka. It is for baking not drinking so not a big deal for me. When we make flavored vodkas for drinking, we do run through a filter to improve the taste.

Made one batch with Maker's Mark bourbon once; REALLY good in pancakes.

Any unused beans are put back into a bag and vacuum sealed to keep them fresh till it is time to make the next batch.

Another delicious idea is to take a bean or two and cut them in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds/goo, and put that goo into some cake batter and bake it.

 

[KentuckyMom]

...

Don't buy grocery store beans. WAY overpriced and who knows how long they've been sitting on the shelf. I buy mine from Beanilla through Amazon. I use the Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans (http://www.beanilla.com/madagascar-vanilla-beans).

These guys have great prices and also sell through Amazon.
The link provides more detailed directions as well as some variations and suggestions.

I cut mine in half across the bean (so you have two pieces) then slice it nearly in half lengthwise so the ends are still attached and it forms a "V".

I normally just use the cheap 80 proof (40% ABV) vodka. If you want to get picky, you can run it through a brita filter a few times to "improve" the vodka. It is for baking not drinking so not a big deal for me. When we make flavored vodkas for drinking, we do run through a filter to improve the taste.

Made one batch with Maker's Mark bourbon once; REALLY good in pancakes.

Any unused beans are put back into a bag and vacuum sealed to keep them fresh till it is time to make the next batch.

Another delicious idea is to take a bean or two and cut them in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds/goo, and put that goo into some cake batter and bake it. [/quote

YUM! And thank you for the info. I think I may try this. Who knew it was that easy? I always wondered though... It' s another one of those " it's worth the wait" kind of things!