Time to Get Back on Track

It is time to get started on my Fall jams and jellies for the Fall Farmer's Market.  Due to kitchen issues I haven't been able to make any but hopefully soon.  LSJJ will begin gift baskets this season.  What do you look for in a gift basket?  Assortment of jams/jellies?  With cookies, crackers, sausage or pepperoni log?  With wine?  Drop me a comment and let me know what you like, whether it's for you, a relative, friend or co-worker, or just for a party. 

Now something else to get back on track...healthy eating.  Yes, I got off of that track recently.  I know, hard to believe.  😉  So this morning I decided that a Green Breakfast Smoothie was a good start. 



Doesn't this look good?

Green Breakfast Smoothie  (via www.thebakerupstairs.com)

1 cup almond milk or soy milk (I like vanilla flavor)
1 1/2 cups fresh spinach
1 banana
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 teaspoon honey (more or less to taste)
5-6 ice cubes

Add the almond milk, spinach, banana, peanut butter, and honey to a blender and blend until smooth. Add the ice cubes and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

 

 

 This is the first time I had a smoothie with peanut butter but it's something I have wanted to try and it was good.  I tasted a subtle hint of peanut butter but all my daughter could taste is the banana.  This is something I will make again. 

 

Until next time, keep on jammin. 

 

Terri

 

 



 

Post - Harvey

Hurricane Harvey slammed into Texas on August 25, 2017 with a vengeance leaving behind a lot of devastation and loss.  While my home was one of the lucky few not to sustain damage worse than two leaky bedroom windows, thousands of others were not so fortunate.  Some lost everything as the flood waters covered homes to the roof, where residents were waiting for rescue, tornadoes flew in and out, and at least one house fire that I know of.  Our cities came together as one to rescue people and animals stranded in the rising water, whether their home or their car.  Hundreds more from other states volunteered to help in the rescue process.  They came in with their fishing boats, air boats, john boats.  The National Guard, the Cajun Army and the Cajun Navy.  First Responders, Military and civilians all worked together as one.  It was, and is still is, a beautiful sight.  Below is a video made by Charlie Diggs and shared on facebook.  If you haven't seen it, take a look:  Proud to be a Texan 

Clean up is still ongoing and will be for a very long time.  We are Houston Strong, Texas Strong and will recover and if need be, will do it all again.

Until next time,

Terri

Hello Harvey...Now Go Away

You may want to come ashore but you're really not wanted here, Hurricane Harvey.  Right now we're just waiting for you to blow in and wreak havoc on the great State of Texas.  Yes, we might need the rain but not what you're bringing.  And we're really not happy you brought along more unwanted friends.  Tornadoes don't need to follow you around like you're their leader.  They are just using you, they are nothing more than tag-a-longs.  But you don't want to hear that, you're addicted to the power.  But guess what, you won't last long.  You'll be gone and the great State of Texas will still be here. 

Until next time, keep on jammin.

Saturday Morning Blueberry Pancakes

I really wanted pancakes this fine Saturday morning but didn't have a mix so I made my own batter from scratch.  I also have some blueberries that need to be eaten but not enough for jam.  So Blueberry Pancakes it is.  Here is the recipe I used:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted                                   

Directions
                    
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.

1. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

 

Makes 8 servings @ 158 calories each.

 

Pour 1/4 cup batter in pan

If you want blueberry pancakes, now is the time to add them



Light, fluffy, delicious!

 

I think next time instead of butter and syrup I'll top them with some jam. 

 

Until next time, keep on jamming!

 

 

 

The Perfect Bread For Jelly

Who doesn't like a good pb&j sandwich?  I found the most perfect bread for that...Peanut Butter Bread!  Yes, you read that right.  It's made with creamy peanut butter and it is so good.  I don't know about you but peanut butter can satisfy my sweet tooth and this bread can almost do that.  I slathered my homemade Grape Jelly on a slice and oh my...best pb&j I've had. 

Doesn't this look tasty?

If you want to make your own loaf, I'll gladly share the recipe.

Sweet Peanut Butter Bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup salted butter, room temperature
½ cup sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a standard-sized loaf pan and set it aside.

1. In a small bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
2. In a separate large mixing bowl beat butter and sugars on low speed 2 minutes, Beat in peanut butter then egg and vanilla, scraping down sides of bowl.
3. Add flour mixture and beat on low until combined, the batter will be very thick and crumbly. Pour in milk and beat on low until batter is smooth.
4. Add batter to loaf pan and evenly spread it out. Bake for 50 minutes or until the center springs back when pressed with a fingertip.
5. Cool in pan on wire rack 15 minutes, remove from pan and cool completely.

Notes:

Adapted from Tate's Bake Shop

http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/peanut-butter-bread/

 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Until next time, keep on jamming!

 

Salsa Time!

I love making jams and jellies.  I really do but lately I felt like there has been something else out there for me.  I did up some dill pickles the beginning of June but something still felt missing.  And now I think I know what it was - salsa!  So I made some today.  It was really very simple because I used the Ball® & McCormick® Recipe Cards Salsa Mix. 

Doesn't that look good?

I normally like a chunky salsa so next time I'll chop my own vegetables and make a chunky salsa.  Now how many jalapeno peppers should I add?  Hmmm...

Until next time, keep on jamming!

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum...

...and four pineapples.

From this... 

 

...to this

I recently had a Ball® Canning House Party, all supplies courtesy of Ball® Canning, including the new jar design pictured above.  For every package of Ball® Sharing Jars purchased, Newell Brands will donate 4 meals!   Every purchase will benefit Feeding America - the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

With the help of some friends and family, we made Pina Colada Jam, only 1 cup of dark rum to 4 cups of crushed pineapple.  I provided some tutorial during the process and everybody took part in preparations and finishing.  Afterwards, everybody got their own jar of Pina Colada Jam.  A fun time was had by all.  I think I would like to do this again.





 

 

 

 







 Until next time, keep on jamming!