Canning Recipes-Canning Week

Have you entered the awesome giveaways sponsored by Punk Domestics, Pacific Pectin, Pressure Cooker Outlet (operated by Red Hill General Store),  Tattler, and Ball Fresh Preserves? 

To enter to win a Tshirt from Punk Domestics, enter Here
To enter to win a Presto 7 Function Canning Kit from Pressure Cooker Outlet, enter Here
To enter to win 2 dozen reusable lids from Tattler, enter Here
To enter to win Pectin Mix from Pacific Pectin, enter Here (you can comment on ANY Canning Week post to qualify, either here or over at A Latte With Ott,A. Just remember to come back and fill out the Rafflecopter form)
To enter to win a Canning Discover Kit from Ball, link up your canning post here, then remember to vote for your favorite. The post with the most votes wins (recruit your friends).

We sure have been canning up a storm this week! But canning jars have many uses beyond putting away our favorite summer produce. Filling a jar with the dry ingredients for a delicious desert makes a great gift, or just an inexpensive way to have cake mix on hand.

This year, my dad has been picking up jars for me at auctions. Most of the time, the jars are perfectly fine, just need a good washing! But as with anything used, they need to be CAREFULLY inspected. Sometimes, the jars look really old, or just questionable. Rather than taking a chance with a jar breaking on me, I use these jars for making some of these quick mixes to either keep around the house or give out as gifts. Or, keep around the house in case you need a last minute gift!

For brownie mix, you'll need:

• 1 1/8 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 c chocolate chips (or enough to top off the jar)

Layer each ingredient in the jar. I use the headspace measuring tool to kind of level each ingredient out. 

After the brown sugar, I grab the lid lifter (yes, even canning accessories come in handy in new ways in my kitchen!) and pack the mix down,then finish it off with chocolate chips. Add lid and ring.

Don't forget to print out the instruction card that goes with it!

Now that you have the jar made up, use it in a gift basket with some kitchen items. Perfect for a housewarming or bridal gift!

This weekend, I'll be canning Peach Pie filling. Since I don't have it done yet, I don't have pics, but here's the recipe:

25 c. peeled and sliced peaches
2 tsp. almond extract
7 tbsp. lemon juice

3 c. peach juice (make this by cooking the skins you removed with water)

1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. instant clear jel (mix it in with the sugar, then add both together)
5 c. sugar

Pack into quart jars and process 20 minutes.  

I swear by that recipe....It makes the BEST pies!

What all do you use canning jars for? Link up for canning recipe here and remember to vote for your favorite! Guest Judge Kate from the blog The Hip Girls Guide to Homemaking will choose the linked up blog post with the best recipes, pictures and overall write up and award a copy of her new book The Hip Girls Guide to Homemaking. We also have a prize for the entry with the most "likes"! Now hop on over and check out A Latte With Ott,A to see what she's canning today.