Canning Homemade Strawberry Jam

It's strawberry season in Texas and the local farmer's market in Lewisville was full of vendors with the delicate red fruit! Jon loves strawberry jam with small chunks of the the fruity goodness.  

Strawberry Jam

5 cups crushed strawberries (about 3 lbs)

1/4 cup lemon juice

7 cups sugar

1 pouch Liquid Fruit Pectin

Begin by sterilize Ball Quilted Jelly Jars and prepare canning lids.

To prepare fruit you sort and wash fully ripe strawberries; remove stems and caps. We saw a fun tip that you could push a straw up through the bottom of a strawberry and literally pop the cap off.  Yes it works, but a small paring knife was easier to work with.  

I cut my berries in half and used a potato masher to crush the berries. 

to make the jam measure out 5 cups of crushed strawberries into a pot adding sugar and lemon juice.  Place on  high heat and, stirring constantly, bring quickly to a full boil with bubbles over the entire surface. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in pectin. Skim the froth off the top.

Fill hot jam immediately into hot, sterile jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel; adjust two-piece metal canning lids. Process in a Boiling Water Canner for 10 minutes.

This will yield about 8 or 9 12oz jars.  Guess what I'm having for breakfast tomorrow?! 

As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” I Kings 17:11

Playing Around with Friends

Abigail went with the Gungan's tonight to cheer on Gracie and their other friends in the PEACH Drama performance.  

The kids had a great time hanging out before and after the play. I couldn't tell you the name of the play or what it was about because all Abigail came home with was wonderful stories and pure joy from being with her friends.  

I did asked how was the play and the kids said it was 'fine.' So there you go.  Clearly and resounding endorsement! 

I'm thankful for the sweet friendship of these kids.  I'm thankful Ms. Donna was willing to drive several hours so they could all hang out. 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Canning Tomato Paste

When I check out my pantry I like to see what I’m still buying in cans and evaluate if it’s something I could prepare fresh and can.  My shelf of tomato products looks great!  I have canned Spaghetti Sauce with meat, Tomato Sauce, Rotel Styled tomatoes, Diced Tomatoes, Salsa, Bruschetta, Tomato Soup, and  BBQ Sauce. So what could be missing? 

The only thing left on my shelves in a store bought can is tomato paste.  Tomato paste is a thick paste made by cooking tomatoes for several hours to reduce the water content, straining out the seeds and skins, and cooking the liquid again to reduce the base to a thick, rich concentrate. 

Now when I say you cook the tomatoes down, I mean DOWN.  I started with seven pounds of Roma tomatoes which is 112 ounces.  After coring, peeling and seeding I had three quarts of tomatoes or 96 ounces.  By the time I cooked it down in my Instant Pot I was left with only 24 ounces of tomato paste!  The seven pounds of tomatoes was reduced by almost 80%!

Tomato Paste

7 lbs. of tomatoes

3 Red bell peppers diced

2 bay leafs

1 clove of garlic

1 tsp Morton Canning and Pickling Salt

Olive oil for drizzling

(1/8 tsp Citric Acid add at the end to the top of each 4oz jar)

Be prepared this is time consuming but not labor intensive and most of the time it is hands off cooking time!

Rinse tomatoes thoroughly under running water and remove cores. Cut tomatoes in half and place cut side down on a stainless steel cookie sheet.   Also, wash and remove seeds from your bell peppers and add them in slices to your cookie sheet.  Drizzle the tomatoes and peppers lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with about ½ teaspoon of salt.  Bake in a 300 degree oven for about 20 minutes.  Skins will be pulling away nicely from the meat of the tomatoes.  For seven pounds of tomatoes this process took two batches in the oven, that’s why I split the salt in half.

Run the warm roasted tomatoes and bell peppers through a tomato press separating the skins and seeds from the tomatoes and peppers.  If you don’t have a tomato press you can use a fine sieve (or food mill with fine blade). (Do not use a blender or food processor, as these will incorporate undesired air into the tomatoes.)  With my tomato press I can run the ejected peels and seed mixture through twice to yield the maximum amount of juicy tomato goodness.

Next begin cooking the mixture down slowly on medium heat, uncovered adding the garlic clove and bay leaves.  Continue cooking until thick enough to round up on a spoon and volume is reduced again by half, about 2-½ to 3 hours.  Stir about every 20 to prevent sticking and burning, stir more frequently as the mixture gets closer to the desired paste consistency.  I cooked mine down in my Instant Pot on Manual – Low.  You can use a lid to reduce splattering but put it on askew so that steam can escape.

When the tomato paste is cooked down remove bay leaves and garlic clove. Fill hot paste into clean, hot half-pint jars, leaving ½-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if needed.  Add the citric acid to the top of each jar. Wipe jar rims with vinegar. Adjust lids and process in a Boiling Water Bath (212° F). Half-Pints 45 minutes.  Yes, 45 minutes, the University of Georgia Ag extension is the only site where I could find documented guidelines and canning times for tomato paste and they said 45 minutes.  

Now was 4+ hour worth it? Really, only yielding six 4oz jars out of 7 pounds of tomatoes?  In my opinion it tastes incredible compared to the canned version.  For price comparison, let’s look at a tube of tomato paste and not the tin can variety.  Target’s store brand tomato paste is $3.28 per 4oz tube would cost $19.68.  Compare that to my seven pound of tomatoes were $0.51 per pound, costing me a total of $3.57!  Yes it was work, but I enjoy it.  The tomato paste tastes great and it will be handy to thicken soups and sauces when needed.  

Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine.  Genesis 41:36

Canning Rotel Styled Tomatoes and Green Chilies

Canning the bruschetta reminded me that we are out of Ro-tel, you know that yummy spicy tomato and green chili goodness that you mix with Velveeta to make queso?! 

Homemade Rotel

• 9 cups chopped, peeled, cored Roma tomatoes (about 4lbs)
• 2 large bell peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 large onion, diced
• 8 jalapeno (or other hot) peppers, chopped
• 3/4 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. Morton Canning and Pickling Salt

Mix ingredients together in large saucepan and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. This will allow any water to steam/boil off and leave you with a thicker sauce. 

Fill hot pint jars with hot mixture, adding...
1 tsp. lemon juice per pint jar.

Tighten hot lids on to fingertip tightness and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. This recipe makes 8-10 Ball Pint Jars of Rotel. Rotel brand doesn’t have onions, but we like it with the onions.

These jars will be fantastic in Chicken Mexican Casserole or Southwestern Chick Soup or Taco Salad or added to a cube of Velveeta!  And again, the benefit of home canning your own Rotel tomatoes is no tin can taste; fresh produce; low sodium; and yummy goodness! 

Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them. I Samuel 17:18

Canning Bruschetta

My name is Lisa . . . . and I'm addicted to canning!  I think in the last two weeks I have purchased almost forty pounds of Roma tomatoes.  Romas have more 'meat' and less juice so they are wonderful for canning.  We seem to have plenty of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. I would like to make tomato paste but it is very time consuming to make. 

So I turned to Pinterest for recipe ideas and came up with a recipe for bruschetta.  Bruschetta is a delicious appetizer to any Italian meal that consists of roasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Variations may include toppings of spicy red pepper, tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat, or cheese; the most popular recipe outside of Italy involves basil, fresh tomato, garlic and onion or mozzarella. 

Bruschetta in a Jar

5 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 cup white cooking wine

1 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup water

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

2 Tbsp. dried basil

2 Tbsp. dried oregano

2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

9 cups diced tomatoes

Begin by coring and dicing your tomatoes then set them aside. 

In a large, deep stainless steel saucepan or Instant Pot, combine garlic, cooking wine, vinegar, water, sugar, basil, oregano, and balsamic vinegar. Bring to full rolling boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover and boil gently for 5 minutes, until garlic is heated through. Remove from heat.

Prepare Ball Quilted Jelly Jars  and lids, keeping them hot.

Cold pack tomatoes in hot jars to within a generous 1/2 inch headspace. Ladle hot vinegar mixture into jar to cover tomatoes, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if necessary by adding more liquid.

Wipe jar rims with white vinegar and tighten hot lids on to fingertip tightness.

Process in boiling water bath for 20 minutes.

To serve bruschetta, simply toast slices of a baguette brushed with olive oil for about 3 minutes on each side.  Your bread slices with be crunchy.  Next spoon the bruschetta onto your bread slices using a slotted spoon to drain off brine.  If you don't drain the juice, you will end up with a soggy slice of bread topped with pickled tomatoes!  Yuck!  I topped my bruschetta with sprinkles of mozzarella and returned it to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melted.  Jon enjoys it with the tomato mixture heated and no cheese. Either way, delicious! 

She also gave the savory food and the bread, which she had made, to her son 

Genesis 27:17

Picture This

Abigail's softball team, the CHANT Chargers were asked to model for the Texas School of Professional Photography 2017 conference with Jeff Gump and his Sports and Event Photography classes. The girls had a very fun day with photographers from all over the U.S.

The girls took turns doing team shots, individual shots and action shots.  Due to the weather all of the photos were done inside against a green screen. 

So God created man in his own image,

    in the image of God he created him;

    male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27

CHANT vs. Dallas Christian

Time for a rematch with Dallas Christian!  This is the team we've battled before.  In fact we've learned a few reminders from this team.  The most important lesson is that if you are going to wear the name of Christ across your chest it's important to conduct yourself in a manner appropriate to His name.  

It's easy to get caught up in the game, in winning, in cheering on your team but our actions should reflect the name we wear on our jersey.  

Today the teams battled back and forth.  They have a D1 pitcher and only four of our girls were able to hit off of her and one of those batters was Abigail.  She had two hits, an RBI and scored!  Not too shabby. 

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world Philippians 2:14-15

Thank You for Your Donations

The food pantry where our family volunteers serves 130-150 families per week.  That can represent meals for almost 160 individuals each week. In the last couple of weeks I've sent out the call to friends for food donations.  Everyone came through in a big way and today Frankie, Abigail, Gracie, Ella and Tessa began sorting through the donations.  

They went through the cans marking the expiration dates and marking through UPC codes.  Each can is then sorted and stocked on our shelves.  Thanks to everyone for your donations, these things we do . . . .

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Psalm 107:9

Happy birthday, friend!

Today Abigail got to celebrate the Sweet 16 of her dear friend friend Katrina.  We met Katrina and her sister Isabel over a decade ago through our home school group PEACH.  

The family have been great friends to our family.  We were even blessed to watch both Katrina and Isabel's baptism.  

Katrina's birthday was another great event to share.  It's hard to believe the two little girls in the picture could both drive and are taking college classes in the fall! The friendship is a sweet blessing to our family! 

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14

TAIAO Softball Tournament

Today the CHANT Chargers played in the TAIAO tournament in Fort Worth.  TAIAO is the Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organization.  It is the state organization for the homeshool organizations across the state of Texas. The four teams played in tournament play for the state championship. 

Fort Worth's THESA took first and Plano's CHANT Chargers took 2nd Place.  THESA will now go on to represent TAIAO and Texas in the National Association of Christian Athletes Softball World Series in Dayton, Tennessee!  Good luck, THESA! 

Be of sound speech that cannot be condemned, 

so that an opponent may be put to shame, 

having nothing evil to say about us.  Titus 2:8