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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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

June 26, 2013 Garden Tour

Audra and Trent Turn Two

My amazing son Tom and his beautiful wife Michelle are not only raising their own daughter..

But are also caring for another of my grand babies, Trent

 

Both babies are turning two, so Michelle pulled off a fabulous party and did so on a budget!

 

 

She even made a Mr. Grouper cake

 

 

Tom and Jeff took them for a spin on their new tricycles

 

I have some great kids!

 

Rain, rain, go away! My poor garden needs some sun.

Busy week!

Last week and this past weekend were extremely busy!  I think between the weather and my schedule I only got to spend one full day in the garden-- and there's still so much to be done before the really hot weather sets in---if it ever does. 

When my kids were young I used to fantasize about all of the free time I would have when they grew up.  Boy, was I wrong!   Between caring for my grand children and my home, my garden and participating in community and church events I now have less time than when my kids were small. I also have less energy!

 

Last Monday was Nevaeh's final swimming lesson and she passed with flying colors.  We feel that swimming while we're on vacation won't be an issue now.

 

 

 

 

Later that night, we went to an art show at the Savin Rock Conference Center because Nevaeh had a drawing featured there.  She was so proud!  That's her piece in the upper left-hand corner.

 

 

Wednesday was Nevaeh's final gymnastics class before the year-end exhibition on Saturday.

 

 

On Thursday, we cared for the babies and also kept them overnight on Friday.

 

 

 

On Saturday we took Nevaeh to her gymnastics exhibition----The Big Big Show, as it was called.   The kids were adorable and Nevaeh was very proud of her progress and achievements.

 

A busy week for Grandma and Grandpa but we wouldn't have it any other way!

 

 

 

 

 



First Garden Tour ~ May 2013