In July of last year when I was waiting out the installation of our new kitchen I was contemplating what things I would be making once my husband and I weren’t eating off paper plates every night. I made it through everything on that list except chicken salad (I still am not convinced that raisins and apples plus savory ingredients sounds that good to me). This year’s list is more inspired by Pinterest and finally conquering culinary techniques I’ve previously avoided in the past.
1. Jelly/ jam/ preserves
A few weekends ago I saw a jelly stand at our farmer’s market. I told my husband we needed to buy some because we were out. He balked, telling me it was probably over priced and I agreed but said, “We might as well try it.” At our regular market, you can get a jar of jelly for about $3. We tasted the farmer’s market kind which was cherry, and it was SOOOO good. And a 4 ounce jar was $10. Yup. We bought it. But as I ate spoonfuls at home I told myself, this is the summer I learn to can! Strawberries, cherries, peaches. You name it, I’m learning to do this!
2. Summer Rolls!
I already bought rice wrappers (the Asian market by us sells frozen ones) now I just have to figure out what to put in them and how to assemble. I know. It’s probably super easy. I just haven’t done it yet.
3. Trifle
Not necessarily this specific trifle from I Am Baker, but any kind. I like that this one includes fruit which would make me consider it healthy. Right?
This year I’m keeping my list to three instead of five so I can actually get through all of them. Obviously there are other things I’ll be tackling like home made ice cream again, trying to smoke meat on our gas grill, and more things that can be made outside on the grill to keep inside cool.
What are you looking forward to making this summer? Are you sticking to standbys or trying out something new?
I would love to make a healthy version of Strawberry Shortcake. I also would love to take a stab at making jam and homemade applesauce. My other half is still working on becoming an expert and continues to experiment with the smoker he made. Fun to Mix It Up:) Have a Great Day – thanks for sharing!
What’s the healthy version of strawberry shortcake? I’m curious to know now! Applesauce can be made in a slow cooker, might be super easy? And mmmm smoker.
Well Alanna…..I have the canning jars you can have to make jam….I always made apricot/pineapple jam, and strawberry. Very easy, just buy a pkg of “Sure-Jell”, there are directions in it. Strawberry would be a good one to try now that they are coming into the market and are cheap. As to the homemade ice cream…I just found that we still have an ice cream maker…the old fashion crank kind…I’ll talk more tomorrow when I call you. Hugs me!
Oooo I would looooove to have the jars!
Marinna said she misses your apricot strawberry jam, too!
I taught myself to can last summer. Jam is one of the easiest things to make! There are two different varieties of Sure Jell that you can buy – regular and a low/no sugar. I don’t like my jams loaded with lots of sugar so I use the low/no sugar pack. Also, get yourself the Ball Blue Book. It’s the ultimate guide for canners! My favorite jam recipe in the book is the no sugar peach jam. It’s sweetened with white grape juice and will taste like a fresh peach!
Great choices for summer! Can’t wait to hear how they turn out!
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