Apple Cider Jelly

 

Recently I have gotten back into canning. I don't really know exactly why I took a hiatus, but lately I have gotten really tired of walking through the grocery store aisles thinking "gosh, that's so expensive, I could make that!" Maybe as I've gotten older I have just become "cheap" but in the back of my mind I think I feel better just knowing what exactly is in the foods my family eats.  So here is my recipe for Apple Jelly. I know it's not the healthiest thing but I had to start with something simple to get back into it again. I used a combination of recipes. The jelly on the left is adapted from the Better Home's New Cook Book, Recipe for Fruit-Juice Jelly.

Here's what you need: 

• 4 cups unsweetened apple, grape, or orange juice ( I used unsweetened Apple Cider)
• 1/4 c lemon juice (not from a real lemon) has to be in the bottle
• 1- 1 3/4 ounce package powdered fruit pectin, if you use the little container of pectic (I use Ball brand) use 3 1/2 T
• 4 1/2 c sugar (I used a little less)
• Cinnamon sticks or red hot candies (optional)
• half pint jars, lids, rings 

**For the jelly on the right, I used a little bottle of the red hot cinnamon candies and dissolved them in the juice before I added the sugar.
Pour fruit juice and lemon juice into an 8-10 qt kettle . Sprinkle with pectin. Let stand 1-2 minutes, stir to dissolve (I added a cinnamon stick). Bring to a full rolling boil over med-high heat. Stir frequently. (Remove cinnamon stick). Stir in  sugar. Return to full rolling boil, stir often. Boil hard one minute, (this is where I have a discrepancy...juice turns to jelly at 220 degrees F. It took me A LOT longer than 1 minute, so my first batch was a little runnier..but still jelly.) Skim off foam. Ladle into hot, sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Adjust lids. Process in boiling-water canner 5 minutes. Makes about 6 half pints.

~Simply Angie

Homemade Brownie Mix

Never buy box brownies again!  I was so excited to find this recipe on Pinterest. I don't know who the original pinner was because the recipe took me to a spam site. ( I did make a batch of the brownies to be sure it was actually a real recipe).  They turned out delicious, in fact my 8x8 pan was nearly gone the same day!  They are a little chewy around the edge and moist in the middle..YUM!!  The dry ingredients can be layered or mixed together in a pint jar or baggie.  I put mine in a wide mouth pint jar.
Here's what you need to make the mix for one batch of brownies:

• 1c sugar
• 1/2 c flour
• 1/3 c cocoa
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder

To make the brownies:

• add 2 eggs
• 1/2 c oil
• 1 tsp vanilla

Mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients and pour into a greased 8x8 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Check after 25 minutes, mine took 35 minutes.

You could put the dry ingredients into the jar and make a cute little tag with the directions to give as a gift, or you could mix up a batch or two and store in jars or baggies to make when you're having "one of those days" and you need something chocolatey and delicious!

~Simply Angie

Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal Packets

For years I have been eating instant oatmeal in the packets. I have wanted to make my own packets but haven't gotten around to it. My last trip to the grocery store (forgot my list at home) ended with many forgotten items. Instant oatmeal, my breakfast every morning was missing. Then it happened that I saw the idea on Pinterest and decided to finally make my own. You really don't need a recipe because it only requires measuring and adding to baggies.
I used my favorite items, quick-cooking organic oats, demerara sugar, and cinnamon. I measured 1/3 cup of oats, 1 T sugar, and a little more than a pinch of cinnamon per bag. I measured each of the ingredients and poured them into snack size baggies. I added sliced almonds to a separate bag because I want to add them after the oatmeal has cooked.
When you are ready to make your oatmeal, add 2/3-3/4 cups water or milk (I like coconut milk), and microwave for 1-2 minutes. For me, oatmeal is one of those strange textured foods, so cook yours to your favorite texture preference.
Add your favorite garnishes after cooking. I'm using sliced almonds but my daughter suggested raisins or dried blueberries. Total cost $2.54 for 20 baggies of breakfast!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Apple Cinnamon Granola

I'm always trying new recipes for Granola, I like putting it in my yogurt for breakfast, or just grabbing a handful as a mid-afternoon snack.  I don't like to add anything to it but sliced almonds, then depending what I'm eating with it, I add fruit or other nuts later.  I have made it several times and change it up a little each time, but this is one of my favorites. I adapted this recipe from Blackberry Farms. You can find the original recipe here.

What you need:

• 5 c oats, I used the Old Fashioned but Quick probably works too
• 1/2 c ground flax seed
• 3/4 c brown sugar
• 3/4 c Maple syrup or honey (I used 1/2 c honey and 1/4 c Apple Cinnamon Syrup)*
• 1/2 c almonds, I used sliced
• 1/2 c oil, I used Canola for this recipe
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Pour into a large bowl and mix together then spread onto a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so. Check after 35-40 minutes, mine took longer, it was too chewy, unfortunately my sister got some from that batch!  Bake until golden brown and crunchy. Let cool, then break into pieces or chunks. Store in container with tight lid.

*The Apple Cinnamon Syrup I used was Stonewall Kitchen brand, STONEWALLKITCHEN.COM - I actually found mine at our Kohl's Store...weird, I know!  Here is a delicious recipe that works great for the granola Simply Homemade Apple Cider Syrup.  Maybe you have a favorite of your own ...we would love for you to share it with us!

~Simply Angie