kitchen Angst!

When I described my Grandma spending a week in the kitchen, I was telling the truth. She however, was canning enough for the whole year, plus more to give away. Unless you are planning to be that ambitious, It isn’t going to take that much time. Plus we have modern tools, and gadgets that make it easier, and more fun. Most recipes can be completed in two to three hours. Some even less!

The encyclopedia of homemade Preserves, by Myra Street, is a book I use on a regular basis. It is currently unavailable on amazon, but it is listed so they should be able to order it for you. I strongly recommend this particular book due to its user friendliness. It explains the process, without getting to technical. I found it to be a great introduction to the art of Jam making. You will even find recipes that use the Microwave, or don’t even require cooking at all! Now that is simple and quick. Just think in the time it normally takes you to do your grocery shopping, you could make your own condiments! I promise you nothing is better than homemade!

In this picture you see me stocking the shelves at Mel & rose Wine & Spirits with my product. I did a Champagne tasting with them where I had to pair pickles and jams with different Champagnes. I didn’t really have many pickles in my book of magic to pull from so I came up with two extra recipes just for the occasion.
I pickled strawberries and grapes, using white balsamic vinegar, and more sugar than salt. This kept them sweet, almost like butter pickles. I also made fresh pecan butter. When you combined the two , just let me say… you have never had a PB&J like this I promise. Elegant, refined, yet still young and delicious! the evening was a huge success.
This is the display of my product at the Champagne tasting. If You will notice the two Hand painted china plate’s(with the clown faces), My grandmother painted them in 1957! She is always with me, and she was very proud that night.
P.S. If any of you china paint out there, I need some refresher courses, I have my Grandma’s paints, plus the last set of plates my mom was working on before she passed. I haven’t done any sense I was 7. I really need some guidance. I’m just trying to keep one more family tradition alive.
Thanks,
James

Trackback URI | Comments RSS