There seems to be a lot of mystery and anxieties that people new to canning struggle with. It really is quite simple as long as you consider just a few key points, first up, the difference between pressure canning and water bath canning and secondly, when it is necessary to use each one. What Is …
Liquid or powdered pectin is a useful ingredient in the jam and jelly makers arsenal. If you have ever experienced a jam or jelly that just won’t seem to set then you may want to consider using pectin in your next attempt at making it. What Is Pectin? Pectin is a naturally occurring starch called …
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I think blueberries are a prime example of a fruit that is better as a jelly than as a jam. The skins in blueberries can make a jam slightly bitter. Making a blueberry jelly and removing the skins gets rid of this astringency, you end up with a delicious blueberry flavour, colour and such a …
There will always be two condiments or sauces in my fridge at home, tomato ketchup and brown sauce. No matter where you are in the world tomato ketchup will be familiar but brown sauce may not be, in fact outside of the UK and Ireland you may not have even heard of brown sauce, so …
Jelly straining bags are an essential piece of kit in the preservers’ arsenal. The texture is everything when it comes to foods, sometimes you want texture, sometimes you want smoothness. A jelly bag makes all difference between a jam and a jelly so learning how to use one opens up a lot of opportunities for …
Tomato ketchup is one of those things you don’t really think to make. The stuff you buy in the store is so ingrained into your taste buds that you might find it hard to think that making your own tomato ketchup will ever be as good. This is one of those recipes you just have …
Salted herbs are a great addition to any kitchen pantry. If you want to eat in season, and I think everyone should to some degree try and eat seasonally, then salt preserved herbs are a must. Salted herbs are quite common in certain parts of the world. Places in Canada for example where the cold …
Refrigerator pickles or quick pickles as they are known interchangeably are a way of pickling vegetables in vinegar, sugar and water that acts as a short-term preservative and flavour enhancer. Whilst quick pickles like this will not last as long as canned or fermented pickles the vegetables you preserve will last longer and most importantly …
What Is A Refrigerator Pickle & How Do You Make Them? Read More »
The term Koji refers to grains, usually rice, that has been inoculated with a fungus called Aspergillus oryzae. Koji is essential to the production of foods that are synonymous with japanese cooking and food production. The most recognisable product is soy sauce which is the result of fermentation of soya beans in brine with Aspergillus …
Making jam is a great way to preserve fruit, but once you have made it, just how long will homemade jam last? The shelf life of a jam is an approximation and can vary according to a couple of factors so if you want to learn more about what preserves a jam and how the …