Raspberry Freezer Jam

6 cups fresh raspberries fresh and ripe

5 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 box Sure Jell Fruit Pectin

3/4 cup water

A few clean glass or plastic jars with lids

*Use firm, ripe berries for the best flavor and set. (You don't want to use overripe berries or the jam may be too soft and runny.)

Wash and rinse glass or plastic containers. How many you use depends on how big they are. This recipe makes about 7-8 cups of jam.

Add berries to a large bowl and lightly mash them. Be careful not to over mash them---hey should still look fairly chunky, but not like whole berries. 

Measure out exactly 3 cups of mashed berries (use a knife to level out the top of the measuring cup) and pour them into a separate large bowl.  Can substitute up to half of the berries for apple sauce to stretch the berries.

Measure out exactly 5 1/4 cups of sugar (use a knife to level out the top of the measuring cup) into a separate bowl.  Do not alter sugar amount or jam will not set properly.

Gradually stir sugar in to the mashed berries, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Let stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a small saucepan, stir together pectin with 3/4 cup water. Bring to a rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop when stirred) over medium-high heat, stirring often. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Stir pectin into the berries mixture for 1 minute. Continue stirring the mixture until sugar is completely dissolved and no longer grainy.

Pour jam into containers, leaving 1/2in of space at the top of the container, for expansion. Cover with lid and allow jam to rest at room temperature for 24 hours before freezing.

Jam will keep for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, or freeze for up to one year.

You might also like Peach Jam or Strawberry Jam!

Notes

Recipe makes about 7-8 cups of Jam, to fill about 4 pints. 

Zuppa Toscana Casserole

Bacon, cooked & chopped

1 lb mild Italian sausage, browned

5 medium russet potatoes, chopped

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups kale, de-stemmed & chopped

½ cup flour

4 cups chicken broth

1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

1 ½ tsp chicken bouillon powder

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

In a large pot, sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Add kale and cook until wilted.

Sprinkle flour and stir for a couple of minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually add chicken broth, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and let it thicken. Add cream, seasonings, sausage, bacon & potatoes.

Transfer to a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 400°F for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

Frozen Fruit Coctail

 5 peaches, diced

5 pears, diced

1/2 lb. green grapes

Maraschino cherries (optional)

8-oz can crushed pineapple with juice

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 1/2 cup orange juice

1/3 cup sugar

Whisk together crushed pineapple, lemon juice, orange juice and sugar.  Gently stir together fruit and combine with juice.  Scoop fruit cocktail into quart-size freezer bags.  Lay flat to freeze.  Serve while still slushy.

Coconut Rice

1 1/2 cups uncooked Jasmine rice

1 (14 oz) can full-fat coconut milk

14 oz water just use the empty coconut milk can to measure

1 tsp granulated sugar

1 tsp salt

Stovetop Instructions

In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients and stir well. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff rice and serve warm.

Instant Pot Instructions

In the bowl of an Instant Pot pressure cooker, combine all ingredients and stir well. Put the lid on and make sure the knob is turned to the “sealed” position. Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.  After the 5 minutes are over, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.

Fluff rice and serve warm.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

 2 lbs. pork tenderloin

4 cups barbecue sauce

8 Hoagie Buns

Place pork tenderloin in a slow cooker.  Cover with barbecue sauce.  Cook on low for 8-10 hours.  Shred and place back in slow cooker with drippings (remove any gristle).

Serve on buns and top with coleslaw (optional).

Plant Food

 1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. bleach

2 tsp. lemon juice

1 quart warm water

Combine all ingredients and fill vase.  Change water as needed.  NOT FOR CONSUMPTION!

Spinach Artichoke Pasta

8 oz. pasta (any variety)

1 Tbsp. olive oil

2 tsp. minced garlic

1 Tbsp. white cooking wine

2 cups baby spinach

¾ cup jarred artichoke hearts, drained

¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes

1 Tbsp. pine nuts

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

Shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Saute garlic until fragrant.  Add spinach, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts.  Saute until spinach is wilted and heated through.

Add cooked pasta, lemon juice and Italian seasoning.  Serve with shredded parmesan cheese.