Water Bath Canning

Water bath canning is the easiest form of canning. Anyone can do it.

Very few supplies are needed. You just need....

A deep pot with a lid
canning jars with lids and rings
something to lift them from the pot

There are fancy water bath canners, plain water bath canners, and even electric water bath canners. I have or have had all of the above at one time. The equipment you need depends on how many jars you will can at a time. Unless you have a garden or can buy/forage for fruit in large amounts, you don't need a designated water bath canner. Just a big stock pot will do.

I am going to show you the different pieces of equipment that I have and you can see the variety. I have heard people say they find this kind of stuff at thrift stores and garage sales, so keep your eyes out. Of course, you can buy them online, at most hardware stores, and some stores like Walmart.

What can be water bath canned? Most fruits, pickled fruits and vegetab...

Make-Ahead Breakfasts

These are some rather unique recipes, at least to me, that I saw on a YouTube video from Becoming a Farmgirl. Check out her blog at becomingafarmgirl.com. I thought we would try a couple today....

Cornmeal, Sausage and Egg Muffins

Cook 1 lb. breakfast sausage with about 4 eggs
Make up a cornbread batter, using enough milk to make a thicker batter than usual
Pour sausage mixture into cornbread batter
Add
1 can of creamed corn
½ cup melted butter
chopped green onion
shredded cheese
Bake at 400 for 30 minutes or until done
Cool and freeze for up to 3 months

Pancake Sausage on a Stick

Cook link sausage until done
Thread the sausage on skewers
Make up a very thick pancake batter in a tall canning jar
Dip the sausages until they are very well-coated
Fry in a good fat
Cool and then freeze for up to 3 months

Freezer Oatmeal Cups

Cook oats as you usually would adding...

BREAKFAST COOKIES

These make a quick and nutritious breakfast for kids or adults!  Serve them with hard-boiled eggs and a glass of milk!

This is the basic recipe. To this, you can add whatever you like – nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, seeds, etc.

This is the recipe we made in class....

BREAKFAST COOKIE

from Just a Taste

makes 12

1 cup creamy peanut butter (or other nut butter)
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 1/4 cups quick oats

1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
2/3 cup chopped nuts, such as almonds, walnuts or pistachios

Preheat the oven to 325°F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, mashed bananas, salt and cin...

Banana Pudding

This was my Daddy's favorite dessert.  This is a very versatile recipe.  If you add cocoa powder, you can make chocolate pudding or chocolate pie.  If you add coconut, you can make cocount cream pie.  It's a basic custard recipe.  For a pie, you would need a little more thickener.  Enjoy!

3 eggs, separated (you will use the whites for the meringue)
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons flour
2 1/3 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
vanilla wafers
bananas

Beat egg whites (sweetened) until very stiff and set aside.

Heat milk in a small pot until starts to bubble around the edges.

In a heavy saucepan, mix sugar and flour into the egg yolks.  Gradually add milk to the sugar mixture, using a whisk and stirring vigorously until smooth.  Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Line a clear glass ...