Homemade Apple Butter

Here is a recipe I want to try:

Ingredients

• apples -enough to fill your crock pot very full.
• 1 -2 cups sugar (to taste)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt

Procedure

Peel, core and slice your apples. This is where the apple, peeler, corer, slicer comes in handy. It will cut your time in half.

If you are planning on canning apple butter, apple sauce or just plain apples. It really is handy. If you use one, see instructions that came with it.

If you do not have one of these, just prepare your apples the old-fashioned way, with a knife. If you do this with a knife, chop your apples up small.

Put your apples into your crock pot. Fill it up to the brim. The apples will settle quite a bit as they cook and soften.

In a bowl mix sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Pour this mixture over the apples.
Cover and cook approximately 10 hours. Stir occasionally.

As the apples cook you will be able to go from stirring with a spoon to a whisk. They will whisk up nice and smooth.

The color will get darker and darker as the apple butter thickens as well. I love to let them cook good and long. It makes the apple butter so yummy.

Tip: Start these in the evening. Cook on high for an hour just before going to bed. Turn down to low and give them a good stir. In the morning whisk them up.

Let the apple butter cook down to your desired consistency. It will end up with a nice scrumptious browned color. You can leave the lid off for the last hour or two to get a thicker consistency. Fill your jars leaving a 1/4 inch head space. Wipe the rims clean, remove any air bubbles and place your lids.

Read more: http://www.simplycanning.com/canning-apple-butter.html#ixzz1isVDSWNn

Mango Passionfruit Smoothie

Ingredients

• 2 cups 1/2-inch cubes peeled mango
• 2 cups crushed ice
• 5 tablespoons strained passion fruit juice (from about 8 passion fruits; seeds discarded)
• 1/4 cup coconut water (such as Vita Coco)
• 1 teaspoon honey

Preparation

• Combine all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Divide smoothie between 2 glasses and serve.

Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2010/06/mango_and_passion_fruit_smoothie?mbid=synd_yshine#ixzz0qVU4Nnta

Mabel's Dipping Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried cumin
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 3 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 4 teaspoons salt (I use 3)
• 4 teaspoons dried oregano

How to Prepare:
Mix all ingredients together and store in a spice jar or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.

Use 2 teaspoons of spice mix for each 1/4 cup of good quality olive oil.

Mom's Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 3/4 cup onion, chopped
• 3/4 cup celery, chopped
• 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 cup catsup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tablespoons prepared mustard
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3 Tablespoons vinegar

How to Prepare:
In a heavy sauce pan or dutch oven, cook onion and celery in margarine until soft. Add other ingredients, in order given. Simmer at least 15 minutes.

I use less vinegar and lemon juice, and more catsup and brown sugar for a sweeter, less tangy sauce that my kids prefer.

I use this on pork ribs which have been pre-cooked under a hot broiler, placed in a roasting pan, and covered with the bbq sauce, then baked till the ribs are well-done. Or another favorite is Sloppy Joes: add browned ground beef to the bbq sauce, and serve on hamburger buns, along with french fries.

Salsa Fresca

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, minced
• 8 cilantro springs, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

How to Prepare:
In a mixing bowl,combine all ingredients together. Toss thoroughly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Five Spice Powder

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons whole star anise (about 10)
• 1 tablespoon Szechwan peppercorns
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves

How to Prepare:
Place all ingredients in a saute pan over medium heat and dry-roast, shakingpan often, until they give off an aroma, about 5 minutes.Transfer to a mortar or a clean coffee grinder and grind to a powder. Storein an airtight container.Makes about 1/4 cup.