Home Canning Instructions

Many people tend to use old canning recipes for the purpose of canning food at home. Not all of these recipes are tested for their heat processing time and temperature. If you are planning to can fruits or vegetables at home, then it is safer to use modern methods of canning. Following are some home canning instructions that you might find useful.

Home Canning Tips

Nowadays, food products that can be canned are classified as low-acid foods and high-acid foods. The canning methods recommended for both types of foods are different because the temperature needed to rid these foods of harmful bacteria are different. Therefore, methods for canning tomatoes and beef are different. High-acid foods have a pH value of 4.6 or lower. Low-acid foods have a pH value higher than 4.6. High-acid foods, because of the high acid content, resist harmful bacteria and micro-organisms better than low-acid foods. A temperature of 240 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary to be maintained for a specified time, to can low-acid foods. Food products such as vegetables, poultry, soups, stews, meats and seafoods etc are classified as low-acid food. This job can be done well, using a steam pressure cooker. Using a boiling water-bath cooker for this job is not advised. Boiling water-bath cookers can be used for high-acid foods which need temperatures of 212 degrees Fahrenheit to be maintained for a specified time. High-acid foods include fruits, fruit juices, jellies and jams etc.

Canning Methods
Following are home canning methods used to cure and preserve high-acid and low-acid foods. Home canning instructions for canning high-acid foods follow. High-acid foods can be easily preserved and are favored for canning.

• Inspect your equipment i.e. boiling water-bath cooker, jars, lids spatula etc.
• Gather all the ingredients that are mentioned in the recipe, go through the recipe and keep in mind the time needed to process the food items. Choose the jars of the correct dimensions to store the food prepared.
• Inspect your jars and lids for scratches and dents, while also making sure that once sealed, they will remain so. Discard unsuitable jars and lids. Use hot water and soap to rinse them.
• Place all the jars along with their lids in water, and heat it to 180 degrees Fahrenheit to sterilize them. After doing so, keep them in hot water, to be ready to use.
• Prepare the food that you have planned on for canning. Fill the jars with the food prepared one at a time.
• Take the jar out of the hot water as and when needed. Taking all jars out of the hot water at the same time will defeat the purpose of sterilization.
• Don't fill the jar with food up to the brim. There must be space between the underside of lid of jar and its contents.
• Use a non-metallic spatula to stir the contents of the jar to let the trapped air out.
• Clean the rim and threads of the jar to remove food residue. Apply sealing paste along the rim of the jar and fix the lid. Seal the jar, using a sealing band but make sure you do not fasten it too tight. This will allow the air to escape, during the next step of processing.
• When you have sufficient number of jars to fill the boiling water-bath cooker or when you have exhausted your foodstuff, place them on the rack in the boiling water-bath cooker.
• Fill the cooker with water and immerse the jars in it. Close the cooker and maintain heat at medium.
• Start counting the processing time, when the water starts boiling. Allow for extra time, if you are canning the food 1,000 feet above sea-level.
• After it is done, turn down the heat and open the cooker. Allow the boiling water to cool down and then lift the jars out of it, while taking care not to tilt any of them.
• Place them in a locked room, undisturbed for 24 hours. Check the cooled jar's lids, for perfectness of the seal. If you press down on the center of the lid, and it does not budge, then it is sealed well. Store the jars with faulty seals in the refrigerator, or repeat the process.
• Store the jars with the perfectly sealed lids in a cool place and consume the contents within a year.

For canning low-acid food items, a steam-pressure canner is ideal.

• Check steam-pressure canner's lid and gasket for faults and if need be, replace them. A steam-pressure canner needs to be air-tight.
• Inspect the jars and lids and sterilize them using hot water. Prepare the food by following instructions given in the recipe.
• Fill the jars with food one by one. Let the trapped air out of jars, using a spatula as before. For low-acid food items maintain one inch of head space.
• Place the steam-pressure canner over high heat, after pouring 2-3 inches of water in it. After the water starts boiling, place the jars containing the food items in it.
• Close the lid of the steam-pressure canner leaving the steam vent open. Maintain heat to medium-high and allow the steam to escape through the vent-pipe. After ten minutes, close the vent. By adjusting the heat, maintain pressure in the canner as prescribed.
• After it's done, turn down the heat to the canner. Leave it undisturbed, till the pressure of the steam in it drops to zero.
• Remove the jars after opening the canner and leave them undisturbed for 24 hours.
• Test them to check if they are perfectly sealed. Store the jars with perfect seals in a cool place and those with faulty seals, in the refrigerator. Consume the contents within a year.
• if you want more information on home canning refer to complete guide to home canning.

Using the 'open-kettle' method for canning foods, is as good as inviting trouble. It is not a secure method of canning food or food preservation. If bacteria or micro-organisms grow in canned food because of overripe food items, outdated canning methods or just lack of precaution, it could lead to food poisoning. Go through these home canning instructions and take care, while preparing canned food, so that your efforts are well-rewarded. All the best!

Pork Side Dishes Ideas

Pork is one of the widely eaten meats all across the globe. It is mainly because of the variations that can be made to the pork recipes as well as the unique taste offered by different portions or cuts of pork. Grill it, roast it or bake it! Cook it in whichever way you like, it is surely going to leave you licking your fingers! Have you ever thought about the pork - apple connection? There are several recipes that call for cooking pork in cider. Moreover, applesauce is often served with pork dishes. Certainly! There has to be some link between them! The tangy and savory taste that the combination offers, must be the reason behind it. But there are many more side dishes that can be served with pork dishes. Let us have a look at some pork side dishes.

Pork Tenderloin Side Dishes
Pork tenderloin can be cooked in a variety of methods. Roast it or grill it! It is that cut of pork, which is tender and succulent and simply satiates one's taste buds, irrespective of the recipe used. Do not forget to glaze the pork tenderloin you have prepared. You could use barbecue sauces, fruit preserves, jams or jellies, reduced fruit purees and juices. Roasted cherries, apples, peaches, blueberries and pineapples do great with pork tenderloin! Maple glazed salads is one of the best pork side dishes! Baked potatoes, sauteed garlic asparagus, baked marinated vegetables, cheddar broccoli souffle and green apple salad are some other good pork side dishes!

Pulled Pork Side Dishes

Although it is a traditional dish from North Carolina, pulled pork is enjoyed by people in many parts of the world. It is made from pork shoulder, smoked on the grill over a hardwood fire. Pulled pork sandwiches are also quite common and serve as a great dish for a large crowd. Here are some pulled pork side dishes that can be added to the meal!

• Cheese potatoes
• Roasted garlic mustard potatoes
• Brussels sprouts
• Baked beans and Cole slaw
• Pasta salad
• Rosemary potato wedges

Pork Chops Side Dishes

Here are some side dish ideas to go with pork chops or specifically pork loin chops. I'm sure you will love these pork loin side dishes:

• Homemade applesauce
• Green bean casserole
• Cranberry sauce
• Baked sweet potatoes
• Creamed corn
• Macaroni and cheese

BBQ Pork Side Dishes

Barbecue, of any kind, is incomplete without dishes like cole slaw, potato salad or BBQ beans. There are scores of pork side dishes other than the three favorites mentioned above. Here are some:

• Corn bread
• Strawberries or bananas with cream
• BBQ green veggies
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Fried rice with shrimps
• Mandarin orange salad
• Scalloped potatoes

Pork Roast Side Dishes

Pork roast is a common dish prepared for many occasions like family gatherings, friends get together etc. The tender and succulent pork roast is enough to tickle your taste buds. But how can you forget the side dishes to go with pork roast recipes! Try some of these:

• Curried green tomatoes
• Brandied cranberries
• Green bean casserole
• Scalloped potatoes
• Sweet and sour cabbage
• Salads

Pork Side Dish Recipes

Applesauce
Ingredients:

• 3 lbs apples, peeled cored and quartered
• Lemon juice
• Lemon peel
• Cinnamon stick
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt

Directions:
Mix all the above ingredients in a large pot and add 1 cup of water to it. Cover and bring to boil. Allow it to simmer on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and remove the lemon peel and cinnamon stick. Serve hot! It is one of the most common side dishes for pork!

Brandied Cranberries
Ingredients:

• 1 can of fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup brandy
• 1 ½ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoon shredded orange zest

Directions:
In a square baking dish, mix together, cranberries, sugar, brandy and orange zest. Bake uncovered, in a preheated oven at 325 degrees, for about an hour or so, until most of the liquid gets evaporated, stirring occasionally. It is one of the best side dishes with pork.

Grilled Corn on the Cob
Ingredients:

• Fresh corn in their husks
• Butter

Directions:
Place the corn in their husks on the hot grill, charcoal or gas, at about 550 degrees. Turn the corns occasionally until the husks are charred evenly on all sides. This may take about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove form the grill and let it stand for 5 minutes. Remove the charred husks and silk from the corn using a hand towel. Serve hot with butter! This is one of the all time favorite pork side dishes!

This was all about pork side dishes! The above pork side dish recipes can go with any pork dish and can fetch you loads of compliments! So go ahead! Enjoy the complete pork meal!

Grilled Vegetable Recipes

Both vegetarians and non-vegetarians enjoy grilled vegetables equally. Vegetables are easy to grill and they would either make an amazing side-dish, starters or a whole meal. Remember, to cut or slice the washed vegetables in small and consistent pieces. You could use kebabs skewers or heavy-duty aluminum foil for grilling small vegetables. However, large pieces of vegetable could be placed directly on the grill. Another point to keep in mind is never leave the vegetable grill unattended because the cooking time for vegetables is less. Try out these easy grilled vegetable recipes.

Grilled Vegetable Kebabs with Homemade Croutons
Ingredients

For vegetable Kebabs

1 onion
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1-cup halved mushroom
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine/vinegar

For croutons

¼ cup olive oil
4 slices freshly baked bread
Herbs and spices of your choice

# You need 4 skewers and a sheet of heavy-duty foil

Preparation - grilled vegetable kebabs

In a wide-mouthed bowl blend vinegar and oil and keep it aside. Slice the bell peppers and zucchini into wide pieces. Cube the onion into 12 pieces. Arrange the vegetables by alternating them on 4 large skewers. Marinate the kebabs by rubbing the mixture of oil and vinegar. Leave it undisturbed for minimum 15 minutes. Place the skewers on a medium hot coal and grill for 10-12 minutes or till the vegetables turn slightly brown or tender. The kebabs should be served hot.

Preparation - Croutons

Homemade croutons are tastier compared to the one’s bought from a food store. Whisk the herbs and spice along with olive oil. Spread this flavored oil on both sides of the bread before arranging them on a heavy-duty foil. Place the foil on the top rack of the pre-heated grill and grill at 300 degree Celsius for 30-45 minutes or till they become crisp and dry.

Serve it along with the hot grilled vegetable kebabs and sauce. Grilled vegetables are highly nutritious and a healthy diet.

Grilling Corn Cobs with Husks

Ingredients

4 corncobs with husk
4 tbsp soft butter (keep it out for an hour)
4 tsp powdered black pepper
Ground paprika and salt to taste.

Preparation

The corncobs have to be cleaned before using. Without detaching from the stem of the corncob, separate the husks. The corn silk could be removed by pulling them off from the kernels. Apply butter along the entire length of the corncob and sprinkle the same with salt, pepper and paprika. Cover the corn with husks and tie the end of the husks with kitchen twine. Repeat the same procedure for the remaining corncobs.

Cover the husk handles with heavy duty foil and place it on a low flame to prevent burning. Turn the corncob once in 5 minutes. The entire cooking time would take 15-10 minutes. When it is ready, the color of the husk would turn dark brown and would be a bit charred.

A Tip: Soak the corncobs with husks in cold water for an hour before grilling them. This would prevent the husks from burning and the corn from becoming tough and dry.

Scallops Wrapped in Bacon Recipe

Scallops wrapped in bacon is a great appetizer which is good for making for a crowd. Contrary to popular belief it is a very easy dish to prepare and does not require too much time. Scallops are fleshy and have a sweet taste and this is perfectly complimented by the bacon which has a salty flavor. This is a perfect appetizer dish as it not only combines seafood with bacon but also because the textures of both the scallop and bacon works very well. You can use both fresh as well as frozen scallops for this recipe. Just make sure that the scallops are defrosted completely before using them, otherwise it won't taste good. Here are some scallops wrapped in bacon recipe.

Scallops Wrapped in Bacon Recipe

Grilled Scallops Wrapped in Bacon
Ingredients

• 12 fresh scallops
• 12 slices streaky bacon
• 3 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

Method

In a small bowl, combine together the dark soy sauce, mirin, fish sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic, ginger slices, sesame oil and sugar. Into this mixture add the scallops and toss them so that each scallop is well coated in this mixture. Allow the scallops to marinade in this mixture for half an hour. In a small skillet cook the bacon until it is slightly golden brown but is partially cooked. Remove the bacon from the skillet and keep it aside. Now remove the scallops from the soy marinade and wrap each scallop with a piece of bacon. Secure it with a toothpick and then grill it until the bacon turns crispy and the scallops are cooked thoroughly. Serve them with lemon butter and a sprinkling of chopped parsley.

Baked Scallops Wrapped in Bacon
Ingredients

• 12 medium scallops
• ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoon basil leaves, chopped
• 1 ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoon pitted black olives, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Method

Combine the sun dried tomatoes, basil, olives and olive oil in a food processor and process until you get a thick paste. Rub the scallops with salt and pepper and then add the tomato and olive oil mixture to it. Let the scallops marinade in this mixture for about half an hour. Wrap each scallop with a bacon strip and place all the wrapped scallops in a greased baking tray. Bake the scallops wrapped in bacon in a moderately hot oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the scallops are firm. Serve the scallops wrapped in bacon with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Classic Scalloped Wrapped in Bacon
Ingredients

• 12 scallops
• 12 bacon slices
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 4 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 12 bamboo skewers

Method

Wrap the bacon over the scallops one by one and keep them aside. Soak the bamboo skewers in a bowl of water and then thread a scallop wrapped in bacon through the skewer. Thread one scallop wrapped in bacon through each bamboo skewer.

In a small bowl, add the melted butter, salt, pepper, lime juice and minced garlic and mix them well. Lightly brush this mixture over the bacon wrapped scallops and place them on a hot grill. Grill the scallops wrapped in bacon for two to three minutes on one side and then rotate to sear on the other side. When the scallop is browned evenly on both sides remove from grill and serve immediately. This is how you make scallops wrapped in bacon on the grill.

These were some recipes for making scallops wrapped in bacon. There are many variations of this classic appetizer that can be tweaked according to your taste and requirements.

Asparagus Casserole Recipes

Asparagus is a nutritious underground plant, that needs to be washed well before cooking. It is fat free, cholesterol free and low in sodium. This makes asparagus one of nature's most perfect foods. Asparagus recipes display different flavors according to the preparation. Some asparagus casserole recipes which are a delight are:

Baked Asparagus Casserole Recipe

This is an easy preparation, which takes just 15 minutes. It is a light dish that can be complemented with beef, pork or chicken. It is made from fresh asparagus, butter, salt, pepper and garnished with lemon.
Ingredients

• 15 - 20 asparagus spears
• 2 tablespoons water
• Butter
• Coarse ground sea salt
• Cracked pepper
• Sliced lemon

Preparation

• Wash asparagus spears properly and cut the ends diagonally at the point where they break easily.
• With the help of a potato peeler, peel just the bottom of the stalks.
• In a baking pan, place then in a layer. Add a little water, butter, salt and pepper.
• Cover the pan tightly with an aluminum foil and bake at 350 degree Fahrenheit.
• Remove the foil and serve immediately.
• Dress the servings with sliced lemon.

Scalloped Asparagus Casserole Recipe

This recipe is made from asparagus, eggs, milk, cheese and buttered bread crumbs. It has a creamy sauce when it's finished with the baking. The preparation is basically light and hence, best served for breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds asparagus
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 6 tablespoons butter
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¾ cup diced cheese
• 5 hard boiled, diced eggs
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• ½ cup buttered bread crumbs

Preparation

• Cook asparagus until soft and crisp, and drain them.
• In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour and seasonings and stir until smooth.
• While cooking, add milk and keep stirring until the mixture is smooth.
• When the mixture is smooth, stop heating and stir in cheese, onion and bread crumbs.
• Combine asparagus, sauce and eggs in a 1 ½ quart casserole dish.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for half an hour.

Fresh Asparagus and Chicken Casserole Recipe

This is a heavy recipe compared to the ones above. It's best cooked when the asparagus comes fresh in spring.

Ingredients

• 1 packet egg noodles
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 ⅓ tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped, cooked chicken meat
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 ½ cups sour cream
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 8 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• Half pound Asparagus

Preparation

• Grease the 1 ½ quart casserole dish. Also, preheat the oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit.
• Cook noodles in large pot of boiling water until they turn soft and drain them with cold water.
• In a frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook onions for over 4 to 5 minutes and stir continuously.
• Add chicken stock, red bell pepper and celery. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in oregano and sour cream.
• On this preparation, spread half of the chicken meat and arrange the asparagus over it. Spread cooked noodles over the asparagus. Top it with the remaining chicken and finally add Parmesan cheese.
• Bake this in a preheated oven until lightly brown.

This dish is heavier than the Scalloped Asparagus Recipe and Baked Asparagus Recipe and can be had as part of brunch or dinner.

Due to its many nutritional advantages, asparagus is popular and prepared in various ways. The recipes described above are a few of the most popular healthy recipes that are easy to prepare. Try the above asparagus recipes, they will surely delight your taste buds.