Friday, July 19, 2013

Peach~Jalapeno~Honey Bar-B-Q Sauce

 Peach Barbecue Sauce

Adapted from the Ball Canning Book

Makes 8 8-oz jars
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Ingredients:

6 cups finely chopped pitted peeled peaches (about 3 lb or 9 medium)
1 cup finely chopped seeded peppers (I use a mix of whatever I can pick from the garden)*
1 cup finely chopped onion (about 1 large)
3 Tbsp finely chopped garlic (about 14 cloves)
1-1/4 cups honey
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp hot pepper flakes
2 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp salt

Prepare:
Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Set bands aside.

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens to the consistency of a thin commercial barbeque sauce, about 25 minutes.

Ladle hot sauce into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center hot lid on jar. Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip tight. Process in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude.

*Although the original recipe calls for bell pepper, I substitute jalapenos for at least half of the bell peppers to give it a little kick. We always grow several varieties and colors of peppers so I tend to use whatever is ready to be picked.

 
This is great to use when you're grilling and makes a nice pulled pork as well!  Enjoy!




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Monday, July 15, 2013

Making and Canning Monkey Butter

 
 
 
One of my favorite You Tube contributors (Katzcradul) posted the recipe and instructions for making Monkey Butter, which is essentially a banana, pineapple and coconut spread. It's great on toast, peanut butter sandwiches, or over chocolate ice cream.
 

 
 
Having survived the Great Depression and the shortages during WW II, my mom and grandma were of a mind to can and stock items that might not be available regionally during unexpected disasters or plain old hard times.  With all of these tropical ingredients, Monkey Butter is just the sort of thing that my grandma would have canned.
 
 
MONKEY BUTTER
5 medium-size perfectly ripe bananas (no brown spots)
20 oz. can of crushed pineapple, not drained. 
1/4 cup coconut (I prefer ground coconut)
3 cups of white sugar 
3 Tbsp lemon juice (use bottled for uniform acidity)

Peel and slice bananas, then add all ingredients to a heavy saucepan.
Bring to a boil, stirring often, and then reduce to a simmer. Cook until thick.  As the mixture thickens, stir constantly until desired thickness is achieved.
When thick, spoon mixture immediately into hot sterilized jars, apply heated lids and rings, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

The monkey butter to take on a light pink hue when processed. 

For step-by-step video instructions on making monkey butter, watch Katzcradul's video. Here's the link!


http://youtu.be/A2z5kfULzX4