Have you ever been invited to a party or backyard barbecue and just been stumped at what to bring? (side note: remember parties and backyard barbecues? Those were fun.) Or maybe it's summer and the kids are asking for yet ANOTHER snack. Goldfish crackers are fine, but sometimes we all just need something a little more filling. Bookmark or pin this post so you can just quickly reference and find a great recipe without having to think too terribly hard. Dips and Spreads: Buttermilk Ranch Dressing | Frugal Living NW Cilantro Coconut Chutney (gluten-free recipe) | Frugal Living NW French Onion Dip with Carmelized Onions | Frugal Living Keep Reading
Canning for Beginners: Frequently Asked Questions
Beginners Guide to Canning Preserving food in jars can be intimidating to those who are interested but inexperienced in this area of homemaking. Frugal LivingNW wants to help you gain those skills through our Canning Guides and Recipes. When I was first getting started, I found that canning with other experienced canners and reading everything I could get my hands on gave me the confidence to strike out on my own. We hope this helps you do the same! For those of you just getting started (or thinking about it!), here is a list of FAQ for Beginning Canners: EQUIPMENT Q: What is the difference between a pressure canner and a water bath Keep Reading
Water Bath Canning: A step-by-step guide
Water Bath Canning Guide (This is an updated repost from a previous year, it's just a super helpful guide!) There are 160 pounds of peaches ripening on my dining room table, waiting to be packed into jars. Another 160 pounds of apples is headed my way tomorrow, with boxes of tomatoes following closely behind. My counter tops will be covered with rings and pots and my floor will be sticky for the next four weeks. Cold cereal for lunch. Scrambled eggs for dinner. I don't see much of my husband. Or kids. Or bed. (Read more on that here.) Dealing with this much produce in such a short amount of time is nuts. Every August I wonder what in the world I Keep Reading
Water Bath Canning: Collecting the right equipment
Water Bath Canning Equipment Over the past six years, I have fallen hard for preserving produce. Water bath canning holds a special place in my heart. When I first started peeling tomatoes and pouring jam into jars, it was incredibly intimidating. I would follow along in the shadow of an experienced canner, making sure never to learn too much, because I was terrified of being left to my own devices. I was like a kid at summer camp, listening to scary stories around the campfire. Botulism! Exploding jars!! Lids that don't seal!!! These things kept me awake at night. However, with practice came confidence. It wasn't long before I was ready to stand Keep Reading
Why I Can (and you can, too)
This is a re-post from a previous year. A few weeks ago, I posted a step-by-step guide to canning peaches for beginners. I was all set to follow it with several more basic canning tutorials. Next up, tomatoes! However, as I was pulling out of the Growers Outlet parking lot last week with 400 pounds* of tomatoes in the back of my van, it hit me: This is not normal behavior. In fact, the guy who loaded all 18 boxes even tried to intervene. "Uh, ma'am, have you ever canned before? Because... this is a lot of tomatoes. Are you sure you're up for it?" I assured him that I was splitting the order and the work with 2 other people. He still laughed at me as Keep Reading
Price Comparison for Canning Supplies
I know enough about canning to be dangerous. Thankfully, my mom & sister know enough to be productive. Together we make a great team, washing jars, stirring pots, and filling pints with jam and quarts with vegetables. We also do our fair share of laughing, sharing, and eating along the way. At the end of the day, we split up the finished jars, heading home with that happy exhaustion that comes from a productive day. This year I have peaches, pickles, and tomatoes still on my canning to-do list. Just the thought of row after row of jars filled with brightly colored fruits & vegetables gets me excited. Am I weird? Please tell me some of you Keep Reading