Slow Cooker Apple Butter!

What do you do with all falls yummy apples? You make things & this is one thing that is very easy. Although time consuming it's a great addition to your jams & jellies that you have made all year to eat this winter. Who wouldn't want  fresh homemade apple butter in the dead of winter when nothing is growing.


5 1/2 cups apples peeled cored and chopped finely
2 cups white sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground clove ( if you want your butter to be less spice add less )
1/4 salt

What to do:
Place your apples in a slow cooker/crock pot
In a bowl mix the remaining ingredients pour over apples & stir to coat
Cover and cook on high for 1 hour
reduce heat to low & cook for 9-12 hours, stirring occasionally. cook mixture till thick and dark brown
uncover and cook for another hour on low
using a whisk whisk until desired smoothness
spoon into sterile containers, cover refrigerate or freeze.

(Even little ones love this stuff)

Homemade Vanilla Extract!

never pay $12.99 for a small bottle of vanilla extract ever again. As much baking as I do, there had to be a cheaper way to get vanilla. My good friend Sarah turned me onto making my own, because hot damn it's about the easiest thing to make. Join me in making your own, saving money and tasting about the best vanilla extract out there... your own.

Here is what you will need to make one jar, you can totally make as much as you want ( I made 3 jars):

Quart Size glass jar with lid
6 vanilla beans ( I got mine online from this place http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Bourbon-Madagascar-Vanilla-Beans-Approx/dp/B002C1CYK4/ref=sr_1_22?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1321290246&sr=1-22

2 cups of vodka or bourbon ( I used vodka & one that was on the cheaper side) You will use 2 cups of vodka to every 6 vanilla beans.

Here is what do to:

take your vanilla beans & using a sharp knife or kitchen shears cut in half length wise leaving an inch to half inch together at the top of bean.
Shove the beans into the quart jar & add 2 cups vodka.
Put lid on jar and shake
Shake every few days or so
you will have the most amazing extract in 8-12 weeks. The longer the beans sit the stronger your vanilla will be. & what makes this better is the beans will last a few years, every time you use your vanilla add more vodka  to the beans & its the gift that keeps giving. Awesome right?

BlueBerry Jam!

FREEZER JAM

3 c. finely mashed berries (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, etc.)
4 c. sugar
1 pkg. Sure-Jell (pectin)
1 c. water

Add sugar to berries and let sit for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir pectin into water; let rise to a boil. Boil rapidly for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from stove; add berries and stir 2 minutes.
Pour into jelly glasses; cover and let set 24 to 48 hours at room temperature until set. Keeps in refrigerator 4 weeks. Keeps indefinitely in the freezer.

Pear Honey!

Prep Time:
45 MinCook Time:
3 Hrs Ready In:
3 Hrs 45 Min
Servings (Help)

US
Metric Calculate

Original Recipe Yield 4 pints
Ingredients
8 cups peeled, cored and chopped pears
1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
8 cups white sugar

Directions
1.Place chopped pears into a large pot, and pour pineapple juice over them to prevent them from browning. Stir in sugar, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. When the pears are at a full boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook until the mixture is the color and texture of honey. The longer you cook it, the thicker it gets. Cooking time is usually 2 to 3 hours.
2.Ladle into hot sterile jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth, and seal jars with lids and rings. Process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes, or the amount of time recommended by your local extension for your area.

*I used about 1/4 of the sugar they used & it was super sweet & delish*

Homemade Pickles!

Ingredients
7 cups cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups white sugar
1 cup diced red onion
1 cup cider vinegar
1 teaspoon celery seed

Directions
1.Mix the cucumbers and salt and let sit for one hour. Do not drain mixture and follow by adding the sugar, onions, bell pepper, cider vinegar and celery seed. Mix well, cover and refrigerate.

(These turned out super yummy,definetly slice them thin unless you want a crunchy pickle.)