keljonma's Front Porch - Settling in and adjusting

[FarmerDenise]

I hate it when a jar breaks, when canning. As you said, such a mess and all that good food and hard work gone to waste.

That spider plant does look pretty. It is pretty hard to kill them. Just give it some morning or evening sun and don't over water it. The roots are tuberous and hold a lot of water. They like a good soaking about once a month or so. If the plant starts to look faded and you would think it needs some sun, it probably needs water. That's a good time to give it a good soaking also. I put them in a pail of water, so the water comes over to top of the pot. If your soil is loose, it might float out though. When no more bubbles come up out of the pot, your plant has had enough, time to take it out and let it drain, before you put it back in its spot.

 

[punkin]

I've only ever had one jar to break, well just cracked really. So, I was lucky.

The pics are great.

Did you get my PM back? My screen froze as I was sending it so I don't know if it went through.

 

[keljonma]

Yes, thanks, Punkin! I've emailed the information to my friend Pat. She is anxious to try a new pickle recipe that leaves her with crunchy pickles!

 

[keljonma]

Today for dinner we had burgers cooked in the broiler - I needed to see if it worked. It seems to work okay, but the door sticks something fierce, so I have to get dh to open it! I made potato salad and and opened a jar of last year's baked beans to go with the burgers.

I let the oven cool down a bit after using the broiler and put some bread in to bake. I haven't cut it open yet, but it seems to be done and baked through but not over-baked. I am still working on getting the temps right...

Earlier today while I was canning apple pie filling, I had enough fresh apple slices left over for a large pie. I couldn't find my rolling pin or pie plate, so I had to improvise. So I made two crusts, and rolled it out with the large Stanley stainless steel thermos with a flour sack pinned around it. I used my cheesecake springform for the pan. The top crust I made lattice style. I sprinkled a teeny bit of cinnamon sugar on top of it. The pie just came out of the oven, so we won't have any of it tonight.

DH and I are supposed to work at Christian Cafe tomorrow afternoon - serving and clean-up. So maybe I'll make apple cakes to take for desserts.

 

[keljonma]

Hello, September! It was 46 when we got up this morning, and our high is supposed to be 72. The sun is shining, but it isnt very warm yet, unless you are sitting in direct sunlight.

Last nights bread turned out well; we had some of it as toast for breakfast today. I was going to take a picture before we cut it, but my camera battery is dead. I guess I didnt have it all the way into the docking station.

Maybe later I can get a picture of the apple pie. I wouldnt normally take pictures of baked goods, but I am soooo excited that they baked without burning in this oven!

DH is off work today. He is out doing laundry, getting gas in my car, checking the battery and cables (the low battery light stayed on longer than normal the other day), and checking the air in my tires.

I have some housework to do. I really need to get new cards made up for my box, but am not doing that today, because I want to do some baking to take to Christian Caf today.

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[Dace]

It sounds like you are settling in....I had to laugh at the improvisation that went on to make your pie! I bet it turned out fabulous!

I have been making the 5 minute bread this week and really like that I can just pull a wad of dough out roll it in flour and let it rise for 30-40 mins and then right into the oven. My kids are really loving the fresh bread around!

I would love your apple pie filling recipe if you have one that is a fave. I would like to try that this year.

How is Titan adjusting? Oh, also how is your DD doing? I did not notice an update in your journal, but I am good at missing things

 

[lorihadams]

I love it! Rolling out the crust with a thermos!

Glad you are getting settled in....

 

[keljonma]

These are the two recipes I use most for canning apple pie filling. 2 quarts make a 9 inch pie.

(These are also posted http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=76058#p76058 )

Canned Apple Pie Filling

7 qt. canning jars, cleaned & sterilized
Apples, peeled & sliced, to fill 7 qt. jars

Syrup Ingredients:
4 1/2 c sugar OR 2 c honey
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 c. cornstarch
1/4 tsp nutmeg
10 c water
3 T lemon juice

Cook syrup ingredients until thick. Add lemon juice. Pour syrup over apple slices in jars. Seal. Process in water bath canner for 20 minutes
----

Canned Apple Pie Filling

14 qt. canning jars, cleaned & sterilized
12 pounds firm apples
4 cups sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
4 Tbsp. lemon juice

Peel and slice the apples. Stir in sugar, cornstarch, and spices. When juice is making the mixture wet, stir in lemon juice and cook over a medium heat until it thickens, stirring frequently.

Ladle pie filling into hot quart jars to within 1/2 inch of the top. Wipe the rim clean. Place hot, previously simmered lid on jar and screw down ring firmly tight.

Process in water bath canner for 30 minutes.


corrected 2nd recipe posted...

 

[keljonma]

I didn't get a picture of the pie.

I wouldn't recommend the thermos as rolling pin method, as I couldn't get the dough very thin - which was really noticeable to me (not dh, he thought it was fine) on the lattice strip top crust.

I tried to use the broiler again today and the right side of the door refused to open until dh got out his pry bar! So an option is to not close the door all the way, which is really an inefficient waste of propane.

Dace, I'm making the Artesian 5 minute bread this week because I didn't want to spend a lot of time on bread dough if the oven wasn't going to work. I saw on the authors' website that one of the errors in the book is the rising time before baking. The correction says to let it rise 60 to 90 minutes. I made the bread on a personal size pizza pan, because my baking stone is still in storage. I'm finding the round/oval shape isn't really conducive to making sandwiches for a packed lunch. So I think this week I am going to try to bake some of it in bread/loaf pans.

Christian Cafe served 150 people (including 40 carry-outs) this evening. Menu was grilled chicken patty sandwiches; ratatouille; roasted potato cubes; corn on the cob; tossed salad made with greens, carrots, celery, radish, & cabbage; grape tomatoes for salads; fruit salad; tomato-onion-cucumber salad; sliced tomatoes for sandwiches; dinner rolls, breads, buns; cottage cheese; mixed fresh fruit (watermelon and berries); fruit cocktail with bananas; apples; desserts, and beverages. Peanut butter and jelly is always available for anyone who wants it. Some of the tomatoes for this meal came from the garden between Spiderweb and the church and some were donated. Desserts included lemon cake with raspberry filling, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, brownies, apple pie, peach pie, berry pies, various assortment of cookies, jello, pudding, and carrot cake.

There is a wonderful story about the chicken patties. One of the local companies ordered chicken breasts for a company function. The caterer delivered the chicken patties in error. When they delivered the chicken breasts, they told the local company to keep the patties. The local company contacted the local food pantry, but they couldn't take the meat. They told the local company that our church serves a free meal to the community twice a month. So the local company donated the chicken patties to the Christian Cafe fund! That is 500 persons fed by this generous donation! What a blessing from God!

DH helped hand washed the dishes, trays and cooking pots that couldn't go into the dishwasher. I helped on the serving line. We had a great time and were blessed to be able to help serve so many. The next Christian Cafe is Tuesday, Sept 15, from 4 to 6 pm.

 

[keljonma]

This Saturday, Sept 5, between 3pm and 6pm our church is sponsoring a Family Fun Block Party. This event will be held on the Village Green next to the church. If the weather is bad, the event will be held inside the church.

There will be various games, table games, assorted races, water balloon toss, and a bounce house. Admission is free, except for dinner.

The dinner will be an Ox Roast, BBQ Chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni salad, ice cream and toppings, various desserts, and beverages.

A dinner will cost $3 for adults; $1.50 for children under 12. The Maximum Cost for a family is $10.

It doesn't matter what religion you are or if you have no religion. This is open to all. So, rain or shine, if you are in the area, please come enjoy a wonderful old-fashioned picnic.

Saturday - Sept 5 - from 3pm to 6 pm
Jefferson United Methodist Church
125 East Jefferson Street
Jefferson, OH 44047
440-576-4561 for more info