Herb-infused Vodka

The herbs in my garden are growing like crazy this year, especially my rosemary and mint plants, so I thought it might be fun to experiment with herbal infusions. In the past, I've made herb-infused oils and simple syrups with success, but this time I wanted to try something new. I recently came across a post discussing herb-infused vodka, and I thought it sounded like a simple and fun idea to try at home. The Supplies: • Vodka • Herbs (I used rosemary and mint) • Pint jars • Tags … [read more...]

Tomato Sauce

There's something deeply satisfying about preserving the fresh vegetables and fruits that you have grown yourself in your back yard. If you have never canned before, tomatoes are a good place to start. They are very easy, and give great pleasure throughout the year as you use your wonderful sauce to prepare special dinners. Tomato Sauce Recipe • Fresh vine-ripened tomatoes • 1/2 tsp salt per pint (or 1 tsp per quart) • Weck or Kerr canning jars (can be found at most grocery stores) • … [read more...]

Sally’s Salsa

Every year I love to have a garden and experiment with growing different things. Last year I grew just a “salsa garden” with garlic, peppers, onions and of course tomatoes!  I ended up canning my own homemade salsa to give away as gifts. It felt so nice to be able to say I grew almost everything in my salsa myself (I did add cilantro, lemon pepper and vinegar from the store). I also made my own label for my canned salsa jars. My salsa garden conveniently was located at our My Own Labels office … [read more...]

Sour Cherry Jelly

Ingredients: • 4 lbs pie cherries • 7 cups sugar • 1 bottle Certo pectin Wash cherries and heat slowly on stove in a small amount of water. Simmer, covered, until soft, then mash with a potato masher (do not crush the pits). Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour into a jelly bag and strain the juice out. You can squeeze the bag for more juice, but then the jelly will not be sparking clear. Measure the amount of juice you have (should be 3 - 4 cups) into a very large pot, … [read more...]

Marionberry Jam Recipe

My husband, David's number one, favorite jam is this Marionberry jam. The only thing he likes better is Cascade Berry jam, but Marionberry jam is just so, so good you can't really think that anything could be better while you are eating it. At least that's what David says. The two types of berries are very similar, so you can use this recipe for either. You will probably not be able to make Cascade Berry jam, since the berries are only grown by me and a small circle of our friends, I believe- But … [read more...]

Baby Shower Favors

"A little bit of her, a little bit of him." That adorable saying inspired Deborah Kavanaugh of Stillwater, NY to create these blueberry jam favors for her sister-in-law's baby shower. Her husband came up with another saying, "A little jam... For the bun in the oven," a perfect phrase for packaging up Deborah's homemade jam into an adorable baby shower party favor. The guests at the shower loved the unique favors! Last summer, Deborah made homemade jam as favors for her wedding and now friends are … [read more...]

Homemade Apple Butter

It wasn't until two years ago that I had my first taste of homemade apple butter. I was visiting my grandmother who was cleaning out her refrigerator for a road trip across the country. Since I just happened to be there that day, she sent me home with a bag full of refrigerator goodies. There were various fruit preserves, pickles, condiments, and among them, the apple butter. Between my fiancé and me, the jar didn't last very long. We loved it, and ate it on toast every morning. After it was … [read more...]

Homemade Dilly Beans

If you're looking for an alternative way to store your green bean harvest this year, dilly beans are a great option. Not only are they a delicious snack or garnish for your Bloody Mary, but they make for a well-received (and often requested) gift for your friends and family over the holiday season. Dilly beans take a few weeks to develop their flavor, so if you get started now, they'll be ready just in time for Christmas. You may double or halve the recipe depending on your needs, but make sure … [read more...]

Canned Apple Slices

Choose medium size, good shaped, just-ripe apples which hold their shape when cooked - allow 1-1/2 pounds for each pint. Use about 10 pounds of apples for this recipe. Vinegar-salt solution: • 2 Tbsp vinegar • 2 Tbsp salt • 1 gallon cold water Syrup: • 4 cups sugar • 1 quart water • 4 tsp cinnamon Mix salt and vinegar in 1 gallon of cold water, stir until salt is dissolved. Wash the apples, then peel, core and slice into wedges or rings. Soak slices in the vinegar-salt … [read more...]

Grape Juice

Canning is one of my favorite things.  Not so much the process, that can be a real pain.  But I love the results.  Late every fall, jars and jars of home-canned goodness line up on my pantry shelves.  The feeling of accomplishment is so great that sometimes when I'm having a bad day, I just go down and look at my pantry shelves.  I know, pathetic isn't it?  But it really makes me feel better. One thing I hadn't ever done was juice.  A few years ago, however, I got a call from a friend who … [read more...]