Barbecue Sauce ~ Gutting the Garden

The first year I canned BBQ sauce was 2 years ago when we had a bumper tomato crop.  It was the ball canning recipe.

We did not like the taste.  Just something about it.

Then, I came across Grit magazines homemade BBQ sauce, made from ketchup (we used home canned), pure maple syrup, dry mustard, black pepper, and cider vinegar.  It's not canned, but I was so excited to find it, because I wouldn't have to can it (just the ketchup).

So, while ketchup was reducing to can, I put a pot on another burner and whipped up a batch.

Monday Crazy is Back

I started out Monday with Hubby waking me up, "Hun, did you thaw tortillas?"

"Oh poo, I forgot."

I got up anyway, and charged slowly scooted my feet to the kitchen.  I weighed out tomatoes for delicious taco sauce.  I've been canning this for a few years and we love the taste of it.  One year we canned BBQ sauce (Ball recipe) and did not like the taste.  I still have one jar of it left.

Anyway, it was a maddening Monday for sure.  While the taco sauce reduced, I had to get pork chops in the crock pot for dinner.  In between those two jobs, I did my usual exercise (reluctantly).

(before the chili powder, dandelions and eggs were added)

Then it was breakfast time - Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos.  I had to run out to pick bell peppers to make it, so I went ahead and grabbed my tomato baskets and went to the garden.  The recipe is online with Clean Eating - absolutely delicious!  I ate it without cheese and loved it.  I used dandelions vs. spinach as well.  It was just what I had more of in the freezer.

Slower Sunday

Today, I started the day much more relaxed. I will try not to think about tomatoes until tomorrow.

Yesterday was a madwoman shopping day.  We needed chicken feed, coffee, toilet paper....necessary items.  I got my car an oil change (saving Hubby the work).  Also, we took too long to get our 17 year-old her driver's education classes, so we had to get her a new permit.   I was whipped at the end of unloading and putting everything away.  Today, we deserved to relax.  Hubby worked overtime this weekend too.

Hubby and I took our coffee to the front porch, and watched the sunrise for the first time this fall.  In fact, I can't remember watching it this summer, we were so busy.  Today, we enjoyed it. One kiddo even joined us.

I can hear the ragweed growing out in my vegetable garden, but today I will not listen.  Today, I will relax.  I keep repeating it in hopes I'll listen to myself, ha ha!

Random Tidbits ~ Relaxation Day!

Woke up to fog today.  School even closed after they had a 2 hour delay.  The weather is strange, but I got my motorcycle ride last night.  Hubby is sweet. He came home and said "ride after dinner?"  and when I said "where?" he said "you pick" I'm doing it for you.  It's really for both of us.

We delivered Jack Daniel's fudge.  Word got out, after leaving a few pieces at Hubby's nephew's house, and even after dropping it off, we got another call for more.  I will most likely make another pan for his family to try, and hopefully mine too.

Hot Sauce ~ Home Canned

Hubby loves hot sauce and I use it in several recipes (and our steak marinade).  I decided it was time to try canning it.  I planted serrano hot peppers this year by accident, when I purchased my jalapeno plants.   They were mixed in and I didn't see the labels.

I drove down the road and bought some cherry bomb peppers from our roadside stand guy we rely on some days.  He was out of habanero, so I decided to try cherry bomb for the first batch.

Another Drought

Despite the heat returning, the canning continues.  The tomato plants are loaded with green tomatoes and we accidentally knocked a few off.  

Yesterday, I baked a green tomato cake while the pizza sauce reduced.  I am so far behind on blanching greens, I feel like the day passes so quickly now.

I don't know how I pulled it off, but before I canned the sauce, I sliced up some home grown potatoes, onions, and tossed in some green beans into foil packets.  With canning season taking up the stove top, I took advantage of the grill.  We pulled the last of the steaks from the freezer, marinated them and grilled them. 

Jack Daniel's Fudge ~ Holiday Prep

Don't throw tomatoes at me, ha ha!  I spent the Labor Day weekend laboring in the tomato patch(s).

Hubby and I had to re-tie the 100-some tomato plants and finally finished them up yesterday.  By the time we picked tomatoes, it was too hot to remain out there, and too late to start a batch of anything with tomatoes.

I tried a new recipe to see if it would be a different spin on a holiday treat for gatherings.  I lined a 13 x 9 pan with parchment paper, then lightly oiled it.  You could use non-stick spray if you prefer.  I didn't use much at all really.  

Pour 1 cup of Jack Daniel's Whiskey over 2 pounds of sifted powdered sugar and stir.