Dilly Beans

Thursday, September 22, 2011

First I'd like to say I am at a loss. I have misplaced so many food photos I could cry. Or, what I actually did, throw a fit and not blog for two weeks. But I digress. I must share these with you because I can't stop eating them!

So what is a dilly bean? It's a "pickled" green bean spiced with cayenne pepper. It is a great add on to a relish dish or a snack with beer. I also eat them with a sandwich in place of a pickle. 


Before you start, make sure you are using clean, sanitized jars and lids. Make sure to keep the mouth of the jar clean and try not to touch the mouth with your hands. Have a large pot of boiling water ready for the jars (that possibly holds all four quart jars.)

INGREDIENTS (makes four quarts)

(for each jar)
2 pounds trimmed green beans
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cloves garlic
2 heads dill

5 cups water
5 cups vinegar
1/2 cup course salt

1. In each quart jar put the beans, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, garlic cloves and heads of dill.

Please note that I went way too light on my first batch here. The beans should be packed as tightly as possible.


2. In a sauce pan, boil the water vinegar and salt.

3. Fill the jars with the liquid. Put on the lids and process in boiling water for 15 minutes.


See how these jars above shrunk up so much? And he ones below stayed packed? That is the difference. 


In two weeks you can refrigerate and enjoy your dilly beans! My fav!!

Canning!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

I still consider myself a novice canner but man is it fun! 

We headed down to the farmer's market and picked up a bunch of goodies. We made dill pickles, dilly beans and salsa!!!



I even had a  helper to chop all my veggies!


 Here goes the onions! Oh man were those a trip! We had the fan on and the windows open!


My stash! Labeled and everything!





Can't wait for the beans and pickles to be ready! Are you canning too! I'll share my dilly bean recipe soon!

It's September!

Saturday, September 3, 2011


I know, I know! If you're living in southeast Michigan right now you may be thinking "it's 90 degrees out and it is not fall yet!" but I can't wait. I saw candy corn out at my corner store and I got all giddy. 

So, I wanted to share this cake I made a year or two ago. Fall inspired for an after-the-fact wedding reception. The leaves are fondant and were dried to look crumpled. Dusted with glitter and put on a simple white cake. 




So today, on this 90 degree day, I will sit inside and crank the air, sip some tea and dream of fall!


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