Tomorrow morning at 9:45 I'll be visiting the Fox 10 studio again for some fun with Rick D'Amico and Alexis Vance home canning! It's such an up and coming trend in food as people are wanting to get back to the basics that their grandma used to do. Well...things have changed since granny was in the kitchen and home canning is a lot safer than you may think. I'm excited to share the details with you!
Remember that my Quick Cook Bean Giveaway ends Wednesday! You must go to that post and leave a comment there to enter. Yeah...go here.
I madeSpiced Blueberry Vanilla Compote for pancakes and waffles. The big jars...because it's just pretty. If you see it on the show...don't pass out.
Yes, it's basically the Spiced Blueberry Amaretto Jam...but use vanilla bean paste and double the blueberries. I found some stinkin' huge blueberries the size of cherries for 1.50$ a pint. I loaded up. So far, I haven't raised my own blueberries yet. However...this stuff just turned out so pretty. It's gloriously pretty!
Gifts are an expression of the heart. They show your love. They show your caring. During some tight years, neighbor gifts that I made at home were the only thing that really saved our family Christmas budget. Every penny counts for a lot of folks this time of year! So...
That is why I am excited to share this Segment on Fox 10 this morning at 9:45 AM!
We covered a lot of "neighbor gift" gift ideas! The small ones that really can add up!
Wise Woman of the East Spice and Floral blend is coming to major stores soon along with my other spices! That's exciting beyond words for me! For now, you can find it here
Oh. As a random side note, but I've been snuggling with this beautiful afghan all week. A darling gal named Lynn made it for me for my birthday. I have to say thanks. It's totally an expression of love to make a gift!
So. Here are the spiced nuts snuggling with that gorgeous blanket. Did I mention it's one of my favorite colors ever?!
Here are the recipes and label PDF's for printing and using at home.
Can I just say how much I love Fox 10?! Every time I walk in the studio I'm reminded, by the warm hugs and smiles, how blessed I really am to be working with this remarkable station. Thank you my Fox friends. It really does feel like I'm part of the family. Extra special thanks to Andrea Robinson and Rick D'Amico for the friendship. You are amazing people!
The popcorn ball segment aired yesterday. I had to post pictures from the studio and the actual segment video for everyone to see...since a lot of you don't live here in Phoenix! I'm virtually smooching you right now (there's less slobber that way). At any rate, popcorn balls aren't just for the bake sale...here's some of the things I do with them: These can be used for Fall or the holiday season for things like:
dinner table centerpieces for company parties and family gatherings and church gatherings.
Wedding receptions! Perfect for a December wedding reception centerpiece especially if you embellish with mesh fabrics and silk flowers!
giveaway bouquets for loved ones or customers and clients.
new moms (pink popcorn ball boquet for a baby shower too!)
holiday treats
Christmas tree ornaments (tied with a bow or ribbon and make a loop out of ribbon to hang from the tree).
bake sales (who doesn't have those coming up?)
Fairy princess wands (popcorn ball on a stick with long ribbon tied at the base of the popcorn ball and some floral or sticky rhinestones if desired). PARTY favors!
Sculpting medium for other projects. Popcorn ball "matter" can be used to sculpt a wreath using a well oiled or silicone bundt pan. Firmly packed you can also make Popcorn ball cakes that slice and are a crazy-fun novelty! Talk about a show stopper at the dessert table! Who doesn't like popcorn balls?
Popcorn ball kit giftbasket (mason jar of gelatin, mason jar of sugar, honey bears and a small coconut oil for getting hands nice and non-stick!)
Here's what I did with them!
Oh...and of course I added a little of my spice! You can mix up the flavors
Flavor ideas:
Add the Mix-a-Meal powdered flavoring (1T--except almond, use 1 1 1/2 tsp) to the popcorn goo mixture and you can add fun names to the popcorn balls: orange amaretto, lime-coconut, raspberry-chocolate!
Oh...and the cherry gelatin...with some vanilla & chocolate powdered flavor...cherry cordial on a stick!
Add 1/4 cup of the powdered peanut butter to the raspberry or strawberry and you have pb&j on a stick!
Add freeze dried fruit! blackberries to the balls with the popcorn (about 2/3 cup)...Raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, bananas as a way to add color, nutrition and flavor!
Gather all ingredients and supplies together. Pop the unpopped kernels. Over high heat, pour enough oil into the saucepot to cover the bottom of the pan and be about 1/4 inches deep. Place three kernels into the pan and then cover. Once the three kernels have popped, add the remaining kernels. Listen closely to the pan. Once you hear the popping slow substantially, the popcorn is done. Remove from the burner and pour the popped corn into your bowl.
Season the popcorn with real salt.
Combine granulated sugar, honey and gelatin in a heavy saucepan. Stir slightly and bring to a full rolling boil over medium high heat.
Remove gelatine mixture from stove top and pour over popped corn. Blend well, until all of the popcorn is coated. Allow to cool a few minutes before shaping into popcorn balls.
Shape popcorn into balls using lightly oiled hands, or leave as fruity popcorn as is.
To make a topiary, pierce with a bamboo skewer and tie a ribbon at the base of the ball. You may insert them into other popcorn balls or brownie-cupcakes for a stand-alone topiary -- or just enjoy a popcorn ball on a stick!
There you go folks! Have some fun for Halloween, Fall and yes...Christmas! These are my favorite!
I always have an amazing time with my friends down at Fox 10 and today was no exception! We laughed so hard before they started taping that it almost kept me from being able to start talking! What an epic team of good people who welcome me with smiling happy faces every time. I'm so thankful for all they do! At any rate, here is today's segment on how to make homemade convenience meals in a jar. The recipes are here! The original post that started it all is here. I do many free public service classes to help educate folks on basic cooking skills. For more on my upcoming classes go here.
There you go! Oh...and don't forget to share these ideas with your friends and family!
My sister Emily did some wonderful pdf's for this tutorial and method, including an estimated price list, shopping list and recipe cards. Again, if you print or share these, you are required to include my contact information and website information. Thank you!
