Juicing

Juicing Jubilee

I recently received a diagnosis that made me rethink my food intake. I researched and decided that I wanted to join the juicing bandwagon. I bought a Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor and about 3 pounds of fruit.

I was hooked after the first drink. My daughter and I go crazy seeing what different drinks we can make up. My favorite is one apple, one orange, a couple of strawberries and a handfull of grapes. She likes adding some honey and vanilla, but most of the time I don't find the need.

I will forwarn you that it takes longer to clean the machine than it does to make the juice! If you clean it promply after juicing it may only take about 5 minutes. If you let it dry out before you try to clean..... well, I am sure that the rest of the day might be shot for you.

Canning Tips

Easy Canning Tips

When canning, the recipe will always tell you to leave headspace at the top of the jar. Not all recipes will tell you how much headspace is needed. When canning the headspace must be there in order to get the ideal seal on your stored items.

If you leave too little or too much headspace you will not get an adequate seal.

Here is a quick list of different jars, and approximately how much headspace should be left.

Sugar or Liquid Pack: Wide top Jars ½ inch for Pint, and 1inch for Quart.
Sugar or Liquid Pack: Narrow top Jars ¾ inch for Pint, and 1 ½ inches for Quart.
No Liquid Pack: Unless otherwise noted, leave ½ inch.

Grannies Kitchen Canning Tips

Jelly - Canning

When making jelly, sometimes it is hard to tell when the jelly point has been reached. There is a simple test that you can do to determine this.

Place a small plate in the refrigerator. When you think that the jelly is ready, remove the plate from the refrigerator and using a spoon, place a small dollop on the plate.

Using a knife, draw a path through the jelly. If the path stays and does not ooze back down, your jelly is ready for canning.

Grannies Kitchen - Jelling Jelly, Canning and Homemade Jelly