Baking

Name: Kosher Dill Pickles
Yield: 4 (16 oz.) pint jars
Ingredients: 2 ½ lbs 3-4 inch pickling cucumbers; 2- ½ cups water; 2 cups white vinegar; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/4 cup Ball® Salt for Pickling and Preserving; 4 cloves garlic; 4 small bay leaves; 12 dill sprigs; 2 tsp yellow mustard seeds; 4 small hot peppers (optional); Ball ®Pickle Crisp (optional)

White Chocolate Ginger Scone Mix In A Jar

42 · Nov 6, 2018 · 6 Comments

This post is brought to you by Ball® Fresh Preserving Products by Newell Brands

When it comes to Holiday gifting, I wholeheartedly believe the best friend, neighbor, co-worker, and teacher gifts come wrapped in a jar. Don’t you? Scrumptious jellies, jams, preserved fruit, and veggies. Not to mention; candies, cookies, fudge, cupcakes, rolls… I could go on and on. I LOVE what you can do with a simple Ball® Mason Jar. This year, I’m working on all kinds of fun gifts for the Holidays that will look spectacular gifted inside of a jar. One of my favorites is the White Chocolate Ginger Scone Mix in a jar. It’s really easy to put together a whole bunch of these gifts and really not expensive at all. It’s always a bonus to save a little money during the holidays.

To put these together you will need to gather a few ingredients, grab some classic BALL® WIDE MOUTH QUART JARS and in no time you’ll have a bunch of scrumptious gifts to share with your friends and neighbors. Here’s what you need…

White Chocolate Ginger Scones Mix Supplies

BALL® HOME CANNING FUNNEL

2 tsp Ginger, ground
3 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
2 Tbsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp Baking soda
1/2 cup Brown sugar, packed
1 tsp Cinnamon, ground
1/4 tsp Cloves, ground
1/4 tsp Nutmeg, ground
1/2 tsp Salt

1 cup White Chocolate Chips

3 – Quart size wide-mouth Ball® Jars

Printed copies of the baking instructions and labels on card stock paper

Ribbon

Greenery

Instructions

Now, this project makes 3-quart jars, however, feel free to double, triple… quadruple the recipe to make however many you need.

One tool I find invaluable when creating gifts like this is my handy funnel. I love this thing! It’s specially designed for wide mouth mason jars and it helps so much with keeping the mess down, not to mention wasted ingredients.

I like to line up my jars like an assembly line and then layer each ingredient.

I start with the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. In a small bowl, I combine those three ingredients and then evenly distribute them into the 3 jars.

Next, I add the brown sugar, then the spices & salt.

Then, top it all off with the white chocolate chips.

Now is the extra fun part, decorating the jar. I have two options for you here. If you are a Cricut owner and would like to use my Cricut cut files for the jars, you can access those HERE.

The graphics for these labels will be different than the printable labels, however, they are both just as classy.

If you would like to print your labels, HERE is the link to be able to download this printable label, jar topper & mixing directions.

Now, all you have to do is add your jar toppers to the lid and tie your label on with ribbon along with a sprig of greenery.

Maple Applesauce Recipe + Maple Applesauce Overnight Oatmeal Recipe

39 · Oct 1, 2018 · Leave a Comment

This post is brought to you by Ball® Fresh Preserving Products by Newell Brands

What can I say about applesauce… It’s a humble wallflower that at times gets looked over in the culinary world. Longing for her Johnny to come and rescue her from the corner. (This is a Dirty Dancing reference if you are under the age of 35… “Nobody puts Baby in the corner!” Youtube it!) Meek applesauce quietly sits back and waits to shine… And shine she does. Just like Jennifer Grey’s famous leap into Patrick Swayze’s waiting arms, applesauce can elevate a boring dish to new heights or become a lovely afternoon snack paired with cottage cheese. Simple by nature, this humble sauce can easily be forgotten in the back of the pantry collecting dust rather than helping to create amazing dishes as a good supporting actor.

Many people seem to feel like applesauce is mere toddler food, not a great way to preserve the bounty of our Autumn apple harvest. Not to mention, impart great flavor in baked goods and all kinds of sweet and even savory dishes.

I grew-up eating commercial applesauce as a kiddo, as many children in our country do. However, I remember the day when I was introduced to home-canned applesauce. My Aunt Oleta’s applesauce to be exact. I have no idea what my sweet Aunt put into that applesauce but it was a pure revelation to me. We grew-up preserving peaches and pears, a few pickles now and then, but we didn’t really preserve applesauce. I guess my Mom was fine with what was available at the market. Not to knock commercially prepared applesauce, but when you have the opportunity to enjoy homemade applesauce, you will know the difference. It’s sweet and tangy with the perfect texture. Not to mention the fact that it harmonizes well with many different notes on your palette AND, it’s super easy to make!

How to Make Applesauce

If you are new to preserving, I feel like applesauce is a great way to start. It’s a very forgiving process and if you follow a few basic steps, use good ingredients, and have a few good tools on hand, you are guaranteed success. It’s also a quick process that won’t take all day if you have the right tools.

Tools

Back in college, I was a Kindergarten teacher’s aide. One year we were piloting a program where we incorporated cooking into the normal daily curriculum. Once a week we would help those cute little 5-year-old hands learn how to prepare yummy dishes, all the while learning great life and academic skills. One of our first recipes was applesauce and I was introduced to an apple peeler/corer tool. I thought that was the greatest thing since sliced bread. I was dreading peeling and coring all of those apples that day. (We had 4 classes that I worked with every day.) I thought that tool was going to make my life. I ran out and bought one soon after to make sure I always had one on hand for when I was making anything that needed peeling and coring. However, even with that handy tool, prepping the apples was a laborious & messy job. Then I was introduced to the Ball® FreshTech Harvest Pro™ Sauce & Salsa Maker.

This gem of a machine has made making applesauce and any kind of other sauce a piece of cake! For applesauce, you don’t even have to peel or core the apples at all. Awww, throw caution to the wind and even leave the stems on! This my friends is a game changer… Check it out.

You feed the softened apples into the top of the machine, they are then fed through the machine with an auger then pushed through a metal screen. The metal screen grabs all of that apple goodness on the inside of the apple and then sends the undesirable stuff, the seeds, core & skin through on its way through a different tube. It’s brilliant!

Maple Applesauce Recipe

Now, all we need are our fresh ingredients. This is the easy part, all you need are apples, cinnamon sticks & maple syrup. Yep, simple & fresh.

As with apple pie, a mixed variety of fresh apples is best to make applesauce with, leaving the skins on boost nutrition and adds subtle pink hues. The addition of maple syrup creates a slightly sweet, very Fall flavor.

With our Ball® FreshTech Harvest Pro™ Sauce & Salsa Maker to process the apples, there is no need to core or peel them.

Makes about 5 (24 oz) pint and half jars or 3 (32 oz) quart jars

12 pounds apples, cored and quartered (peeled if desired)
1 cup water
2 cinnamon sticks (optional)
1 -1/4 cups maple syrup

Directions:

Combine apple quarters, cinnamon sticks and water in a large stockpot. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are very tender, about 25 minutes.

Process apples in batches through a Ball® FreshTech Harvest Pro™ Sauce & Salsa Maker, food mill or food processor until smooth, removing cinnamon sticks. Alternately, crush apples with a potato masher for a chunkier texture.

Prepare boiling water canner. ( I use the Ball® FreshTech Electric Water Bath Canner.) Heat jars in simmering water until ready to use, do not boil. I’m using my favorite Ball® Quart (32 oz.) Sharing Jars for this recipe. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside with bands.

Return applesauce to stock pot, add maple syrup and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes.

Ladle hot applesauce into a hot jar leaving a ½ inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on the jar and apply the band, adjust to fingertip tight. Place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.

Process jars 25 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat, remove the lid, let jars stand 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool 12-24 hours. Check lids for a seal, they should not flex when the center is pressed.

Now’s the hard part, sitting and waiting for them to rest before you can devour them!

Maple Apple Sauce Overnight Oatmeal

One way I love to use my applesauce is in the overnight oatmeal. It adds a fresh kick to a sometimes one-note oatmeal experience. This recipe is simple to whip up the night before and then pull from the fridge as you are running out the door.

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1/2 cup applesauce

1/2 cup milk of your choice

Place all of your ingredients into a jar, replace lid and shake really well.

Place in the fridge overnight. The next morning serve cold or warmed, topped with fruit, nuts & additional maple syrup if you’d like.

Kosher Dill Pickle and Sausage Rolls

21 · Jul 24, 2018 · 1 Comment

Growing up in my house, one could no more refuse a good dill pickle than one could refuse an ice cream sundae. We were most certainly fans. As kids, my sisters and I would argue over who got to drink the pickle juice at the end of the jar of pickles. Kind of weird, I know! I’m sure we weren’t the only ones with a love of pickles that extended past the pickles themselves. We also had a love of a good sausage paired with our favorite pickles. Naturally, I love to share these fun summer traditions with my family now, all wrapped up together in a tasty dill pickle and sausage rolls.

• This post is brought to you by Ball® Fresh Preserving Products by Newell Brands •

Picking the Right Cucumbers for Pickles

I remember as a kid when my Mom would pickle cucumbers, I was always so leery of those poky cucumbers that she assured me would turn into pickles. They sure didn’t look like the cucumbers I was used to. Mom was right of course, a few weeks later her silly looking cucumbers were the best dill pickles I had ever had the chance to eat.

When it comes to pickling cucumbers there are a few different things to keep in mind.

The right variety – in all reality any cucumber can be pickled. However, you may not be too thrilled with the results. Small to medium size Kirby cucumbers are typically the best. They have a thicker skin that can stand up to the brine and will remain crunchy after they have been pickled.

The right size – the key here is to find cucumbers that are close to the same size. For this recipe, we are looking for a small to medium size that ranges between 3-4 inches. Try to find cucumbers within that size range to have a consistent final product.

The right age – Yes, your cucumbers have an age. Too young and thin-skinned, and they will not hold up to the pickling process. Too old, and they’ll have tough, fibrous skin and large, bitter seeds. How can you tell a cucumber’s age? Size is an indicator (again, go for small-medium), and also, taste. If it’s sweet, with a good crunch when you bite into it, it’s a keeper.

Kosher Dill Pickle Recipe

A “kosher” dill pickle is not necessarily kosher in the sense that it has been prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary law. Rather, it is a pickle made in the traditional manner of Jewish New York City pickle makers, with a generous addition of garlic and dill to a natural salt brine.

To me, a kosher dill is exactly what I think of when it comes to a nice crunchy pickle paired with my favorite sandwich. Luckily, it’s also an easy recipe perfect for beginning picklers.

Before you get started, make sure you have 4 of my favorite pint jars from Ball® Canning. I’m loving the new fancy jars that are so fun to share with family and friends.

1 vote

Kosher Dill Pickles

Yield 4 (16 oz.) pint jars

A classic dill pickle full of robust flavor, this a great place to start if you are new to canning pickles. A pinch of Ball® Pickle Crisp will help keep the crunch.

Ingredients

2 ½ lbs 3-4 inch pickling cucumbers
2- ½ cups water
2 cups white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup Ball® Salt for Pickling and Preserving
4 cloves garlic
4 small bay leaves
12 dill sprigs
2 tsp yellow mustard seeds
4 small hot peppers (optional)
Ball ®Pickle Crisp (optional)

Instructions

Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars in simmering water until ready to use, do not boil. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside with bands.

Wash cucumbers and hot peppers in cold water. Slice 1/16 of an inch off the blossom end of each cucumber; trim stem ends so cucumbers measure about 3 inches. Cut cucumbers into quarters lengthwise.

Combine water, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small stainless saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower heat to simmer.

Place 1 garlic clove, 3 dill sprigs, ½ tsp mustard seed, 1 bay leaf and 1 red pepper and Ball® Pickle Crisp (if desired) into a hot jar that is sitting on a towel (not directly on the counter.) Pack cucumber spears into the jar, leaving a ½ inch headspace. Trim any cucumbers that are too tall.

Ladle hot brine into a hot jar leaving a ½ inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on the jar and apply the band, adjust to fingertip tight. Place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.

Process jars 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat, remove the lid, let jars stand 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool 12-24 hours. Check lids for a seal, they should not flex when the center is pressed.

Kosher Dill Pickle and Sausage Rolls

This is where this simple kosher dill pickle becomes extra scrumptious! I’ve created a cheesy pickle spread that is perfect for the inside of the sausage roll or, on its own as a dip for veggies and chips.

1 vote

Kosher Dill Pickle and Sausage Roll Recipe

Yield 8 rolls

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup of diced kosher dill pickles
1/4 cup of diced green onion
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. onion salt
salt and pepper to taste
4 polish sausages cut in half
8 kosher dill pickle spears
8 large freezer roll dough balls brought to room temp and allowed to rise
everything but the bagel seasoning blend (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350˚ F
In a medium bowl combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, diced kosher dill pickles, green onion, garlic salt, onion salt, salt and pepper. Whisk together and set aside.
On a clean surface roll out the risen roll dough ball until about 5 inches across but, make sure not to roll the dough too thin.
Place a piece of sausage, pickle spear & about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture in the center of the dough.

Roll the ingredients up into the dough and secure the seams by pinching them together.

If using the seasoning bled, place a 1/4 tsp. of the blend on your surface and roll the sausage roll through the seasoning blend to imbed the s easoning into the dough.

Place the roll on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat the process for the remaining ingredients.

Place baking sheet into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top of the roll is a nice golden brown.

Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.

Serve with the remaining dill pickle and cream cheese dip.

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Diet Coke® Cranberry Walnut Chutney with Brie in Puff Pastry Recipe

9 · Dec 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment

This post is being sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

With the Holidays soon upon us, it’s time to start thinking about what to make for all of our family gatherings and what to stock-up on to keep our pantry full for the season. For me, I’ll be heading to Sam’s Club and stocking up on several items. Good cheeses, pickles, olives, bread, puff pastry, seasonal fruit, nuts, spices and of course plenty of Diet CokeⓇ! Come see what we will be making at our house…

A table full of seasonal goodies is what really makes the Holidays for my family and I. The kitchen, especially the table is the center of the season with all kinds of scrumptious goodies. We have several food traditions in our home… Of course the typical cookie and candy making, the traditional meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas and some not so traditional like a dinner that is made up of a whole spread of yummy appetizers for New Years.

Friends and family are always dropping by and I’ve learned that it’s super important to keep the pantry stocked at all times so that we are prepared for unexpected guests. Here are some of my pantry staples from Sam’s Club.

Holiday Pantry Staples

It’s always good to have those quick appetizers or snacks on hand like the pickles, olives, cheese and crackers. The Sam’s Club French Bread freezes beautifully and is easy to pull out to go with soup or to slice up to use with a dip. Their seasonal fruit is exceptional and is great to give as a quick gift. You could even make a gift out of holiday spices… Wouldn’t that be fun! It’s good to keep nuts on hand for baking along with snacking and we CAN’T FORGET the Diet CokeⓇ! It’s perfect for serving to guests, for helping you get through the craziness of the season AND for baking or cooking.

Wait a minute… Baking and cooking? Yep, Diet CokeⓇ is a great pantry staple that is good for cooking with as well. You may have heard of Diet CokeⓇ cake or even several types of meat slow cook nicely in Coca-ColaⓇ. Here is one of my favorite recipes for Cranberry Chutney with Brie in Puff Pastry to take to Holiday gatherings that is made with, surprisingly enough, Diet CokeⓇ! Here is a QUICK little video to show you how I put it together.

Diet CokeⓇ Cranberry and Walnut Chutney with Brie in Puff Pastry – WhipperBerry from Heather Thoming on Vimeo.

I LOVE how the Diet CokeⓇ Cranberry Walnut Chutney pairs with the Brie cheese, what’s fun is that it’s all wrapped up like a nice gift in some puff pastry. You have the savory cheese paired with the tangy and sweet chutney that is simply scrumptious. Plus, it looks great on a Holiday table. Our family can’t get enough of it! Here’s how to make it.

Diet CokeⓇ Cranberry Walnut Chutney with Brie in Puff Pastry

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Baking

How to Make Applesauce

Tools

Maple Applesauce Recipe

Maple Apple Sauce Overnight Oatmeal

Picking the Right Cucumbers for Pickles

Kosher Dill Pickle Recipe

Kosher Dill Pickles

Ingredients

Instructions

Kosher Dill Pickle and Sausage Rolls

Kosher Dill Pickle and Sausage Roll Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Diet CokeⓇ Cranberry Walnut Chutney with Brie in Puff Pastry

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