Monday, February 20, 2012

Kids in the Kitchen - 2nd Link Up


Welcome to week #2 of Kids in the Kitchen! I'm so happy you're here - hope you'll 
join up in our linky by posting pics, tips, recipes old or new

The idea is to encourage families to get into the kitchen together and cook. 
I'm finding in our home - it's a great way to get the boys to open up and really talk with me.
(maybe it's the whole standing still thing?) It seems while they stir or chop, they are 
occupied enough to hang out, yet able to carry on full blown conversations

This past week - we worked together to make daddy some special homemade 
strawberry jam - it was his valentine from me and the boys - we also made homemade bread
to go with it! It was a big hit- even better than Hershey's kisses! 

First we chopped up 5 cups of strawberries/mashed 
(measure after mashing) 
I was so busy - I didn't snap a pic of them chopping - but 
that job was for my two youngest
I used the pulse setting on my blender to mash the strawberries - leaving some chunky pieces

Then the fruit mash went into the pot on the stove and was brought to a rolling boil


Add 7 cups sugar (yes, you read that right) 
If you want less sugar - you have to buy the "less sugar" Sure~gel 
Still it up and bring back to boil 

Add Sure~gel on rolling boil and keep stirring! 


Once all your sugar and gel have been added and dissolved - you skim off any foam

Use your ladle and a funnel to scoop jam into prepared clean jars


Secure the lids and place in large pot of water with 1-2 inches of water covering the lid
bring water to a boil and leave for at least 10 - 15 minutes 

Use your handy dandy jar remover to pull the hot glass jars 
out of the pot and set aside


Now - you may notice that I used jars and lids that have been recycled
This is not something that I can recommend 
I've read all over the place NOT to do that because you don't get a secure 
seal on the jar and your canning is not going to be protected from bacteria. 
I'm ok with this because I'm only doing a small amount - and I'm a rebel like that


We've already finished the first jar! 
I am keeping the others in the fridge until we get to them over the next couple of weeks

We're using the jelly with fresh bread sometimes for lunch and dinner.
It can also be used with fresh hot peppers to make a sauce for pork, or chicken


It's hard to beat a fresh homemade loaf of bread 
(that the kids helped with) 
and fresh homemade strawberry jam! 

There is something very special about the whole family gathering regularly around the table
The children feel so proud of themselves when they have helped prepare the meal 

Then you can clear the table and beat the pants off them for family game night! 
*my recipe came right off the box of the Sure-gel and next time I'm going to buy the less sugar version

Grab the button and link up your Kids in the Kitchen post! 
Any posts with kiddos or family friendly recipes are just fine -  doesn't even have to be new posts
just ones you'd like to share and ones we might enjoy making with the family

Getting the family gathered back around the table for a meal is an important thing to do in our busy culture
getting them all together in the kitchen preparing the meal is even better!

button code is on my sidebar!

                                                        
also linking with :
Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters




                                                          




11 comments:

Rebecca said...

Oh, I"ve been waiting for that recipe...I was sure it would have that 's' word...but, I wonder..how can we make jelly without it? and oh, man that looks Good!!! And...well, Sequence is one of our faves! Love ya! Can't wait to seeyou soon!

Jen said...

That looks soooo yummy!!! What bread recipe do you guys use? I have been on the look out for one. I am trying to make it with wheat but haven't quite gotten it down without it turning into a rock. LOL Thanks for hosting the linky and look forward to more recipes to come! :)

Jenn said...

Ooops...don't know what I did to my photo!! Not sure anybody will want to follow the link to those PB treats:)

Love all things strawberry! Looks so yummy (and fun to make:)

Unknown said...

Thanks ladies! love "sharing" good food!

Lisa Boyle said...

Thanks for linking up! I am trying to figure out what is going on with my linky. I have the same settings as last week, but the links aren't showing. Do you have any advice? I am SO new to this!
:-(

Lisa Boyle said...

I figured it out! Yay! :-)

ThaiHoa Burroughs said...

Ok! First question: How the heck do you shop for groceries with 50 a week including toiletries. Just email me those tips because I am working about 150 a week and that is cutting down for me and we only have a family of 3 since my son is nursing right now. And yes I will def do the link up!

MomLaur said...

Oh yay! Love homemade jam! Oh the memories of making it with my mom...I am not brave enough to try it with the kids though :D thanks for the inspiration, I'll be coming back to this in the summer if I get up the nerve ;0)

Sennie said...

Mmmmm. looks yummy!
Here from the Hop.

Anonymous said...

My mom used to make strawberry jam and I ate it every single day on my pb & j! I have been wanting to make some kind of jam with the girls...but the sugar issue always gets me...I may have to try that low sugar option!

Susan said...

This looks so yummy! We've made jam a few times before, and we LOVE homemade bread!!
Thanks for asking me to join your link up :)