The Beginner's Guide to Preserving Food at Home - Janet Chadwick [71]
needs, determining, 2–3
ovens, conventional, 47–48
for pickling, 137, 137
slicers, 9–10, 10, 28
for standard freezing, 39
strainers, 8–9, 8, 9
for sun-drying, 48
tips for, 14
F
firming agents, pickles and, 137
food mills, 9, 9
food preservation. See preserving food; specific method
food processors, 2, 6–7, 7
freeze-ahead ideas, 216
freezer recipes
freeze-ahead recipes, 189–99
Freezer Coleslaw, 149–50
Freezer Meatballs, 196
Freezer Pickles, 145
freezers, 4–5, 23–24
freezer test, gelling, 165
freezing aids
boilable bags, 10–11
sealers, 11, 11
freezing foods, 28–41
basic equipment for, 3
benefits of, 28
boilable bag method, 34–37, 35, 36
ice packs, reusable, 31
microwave blanching, 37–39
packaging frozen foods,28–30, 30
standard method, 39–41, 40–41
tips for, 32, 37
troubleshooting, 181–82
unblanched freezing, 32–33, 33
washing produce and, 30
See also specific food; tray-freezing
frozen foods, unblanched, cooking tips, 32
fruit, 96–122
antioxidants, discoloration and, 97
defrosting frozen, 182
dried, testing of, 44
freezing unblanched, 32–33
frozen, defrosting, 122
for making preserves, 161–62
natural pectin levels in, 170
for pickling, 136
root cellaring, 26–27
sugar syrups for, 97–98, 98
tips for, 18
tray-freezing, 32
washing, 30
yields, fresh fruit, 217
See also specific fruit
fruit butter
defined, 161
Oven-Baked Apple Butter, 179
Fruit-Fresh antioxidant, 97
fruit juice in drying process, 43
fruit leathers, 45, 49. See also specific fruit
G
garlic. See onions, garlic, and shallots
garnishes, 211
gelling, tips for, 165, 170
gift ideas, dried foods, 45
grapes, 111–12
Basic Grape Jelly, 171
grape juice, 112
raisins, making, 112
root cellaring of, 111–12
seed removal and, 19
greens
Spinach Surprise, 203
stir-frying prior to freezing, 76, 76
H
hang-drying herbs, 124
harvest time,
dishes for, 200–211, 212–13
Harvest-Time Acorn Squash, 205
meal-planning tips, 214–15
tips, produce, 16–17
See also meals, quick; seasonal tips
herbal products, 127–30
Basic Herb Jelly, 130
herb jellies, 129
herb teas, 127, 127
herb vinegars, 128–29
herbs, 123–34
dehydrator drying, 125, 219
dried, storing, 45
dried, testing before storage, 44
drying methods, 124–25
freezing methods for, 125–27
hang-drying herbs, 124
herbal products, 127–30
oven-drying, 125
specific herbs, 131–33
storage tips, 20
high-altitude processing times, boiling-water-bath canning, 58, 222–23
hot-packing, canning, 56
I
ice packs, reusable, 31, 31
instant meals, 188
J
jam, 160–79
crystallization and, 19
defined, 161
no added pectin, steps for, 163–64
pectin added, steps for, 165–66
seed removal and, 19
jam recipes
Basic Berry Jam, 173
Basic Peach Jam, 172
Basic Plum Jam, 176
Basic Strawberry Jam, 174
jars. See canning jars
jelly, 130, 160–76
crystallization and, 19
defined, 161
from juice, 18
no pectin added, steps for, 166–68
pectin added, steps for, 188–89
tips for, 19, 170
See also gelling, tips for
jelly recipes
Basic Apple Jelly, 177
Basic Grape Jelly, 171
Basic Herb Jelly, 130
juice
apple, 102–3
grape, 112
making jelly from, 18
julienne-slicing
beans, green, 62
equipment for, 9–10,10
K
ketchup
Just Like Store-Bought Ketchup, 156
tips for, 157
L
Lasagna, Quick and Easy, 195
lazy Susans, tips for, 21
leathers. See fruit leathers
leftovers, storage of, 216
lemon juice as antioxidant, 97
lettuce,
extending the harvest, 77, 77
Lettuce and Green Pea Soup, 210
low-acid foods, canning, 54
M
markets, locating of, 23
marmalade, 160–79
defined, 161
Orange Marmalade, 178
meal planning, 23, 214–15
meals, quick, 187–216
diced meats, using in, 188–89
freeze-ahead ideas, 216
freeze-ahead recipes, 189–99
for harvest-time, 200–213
instant meals, 188
main meal ideas, 215
meats
Freezer Meatballs, 196
Meat Loaf, 194
roasts, 188–189
tray-freezing of, 216
microwave ovens, 5–6
blanching in, 12, 37–39, 221
cooking tips, 61
defrosting fruit in, 122
drying in, 6, 125
in jam-and jelly-making, 186
in preserve-making,