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!

 

Pickle Success!

Three weeks ago, June 9, 2017, I tried my hand at making dill pickles.  Today was the day to try them and if I do say so myself, and I do, they are very good.  I have Dill Pickle Success!  I was afraid they would taste flat or maybe even sour, as I have read in a group that it happened to someone - half dill and half sour.  Can you imagine that taste? 



Been sitting in the dark pantry
for three weeks now...

Smells like dill pickles...



Looks like a dill pickle...

 

But most of all...it taste like a dill pickle!  I'm proud of my first pickle success.  Now maybe I'll get a little brave and add a little heat to the next batch.  Maybe.  We shall see. 

 

Until next time, keep on jamming.





 

Oh Bring Me Some Figgy...

...Jam!  It was a long time coming but I was finally able to make some fig jam.  It was a small batch but that's okay for my first time.   

2.5 Cups of Mission Figs




Mix with a cup of sugar and let sit for 1 hour
 





Doesn't this look yummy?

Don't these look good?

 

Ta Da! 

My small batch recipe yielded 1 half-pint jar and two 1 ounce jars (aren't they cute?).  I will be making this again and also adding some different flavors, such as strawberry, orange and possibly adding some Grand Marnier. 

Until next time, keep on jamming!