Vegetable Soup

Now, I don't know how many of you are home canners, personally I hate home canning, but I find myself doing it anyway, because no matter how hard I try I just can't duplicate the deliciousness of home canning. So, for those of you who engage in this messy business of putting up good food, you are going to love this recipe! This recipe is for the down to earth vigilant home canner. It comes from the kitchen of Kitty Call, but my cute little daughter's father-in-law is the one who passed it onto me. Yes he is a man who loves home canning. I know, clone him!

Home Canning: Vegetable Soup

1 pound pearled barley (soak 2hrs and cook)
1/2 Bushel tomatoes (scald, peel and cut. Cook in large kettle until they boil down and make their own juice.
2 large Onions cut fine.
1 large bunch of Celery diced.
2 green Peppers cut fine.
1 bunch of Parsley cut fine.
15-20 Carrots diced.

Cook vegetables together.

When done add:
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Salt
Add Vegetables to Tomatoes and Barley and mix.

Bring to a full rolling boil, let simmer for a few minutes. Bottle immediately and process the same time as tomatoes.

Makes 17 Quarts

PS, better make plenty, because it disappears in half of a heart beat!
Thanks Lynn :)

Plum Jam--- Don't Miss Out On This Fabulous Recipe!

I'm going to start this post by telling you about a girl who is near and dear to my heart. Val is just like a daughter to me and I think the world of her! Besides being the greatest person ever she is quite talented in the kitchen.
I can't take credit for finder her though. Kudos would have to go to Emilyn for that. She and Val were roommates back in college. She has been her friend ever since.
During those university years I sent my adopted son up to check out the girls in D4 and Brian immediately took a liking to Val! Soon he was a regular at the D4 apartment, then he married her and that's how she became my adopted daughter.
Val and Brian are always doing nice things for me. They are the greatest kids ever and they are so thoughtful. Last year they brought me over some jam. I've eaten a lot of jam in my life. But when my family cracked open a jar of this delicious jam we were all very surprised. It didn't take the jam long to disappear.  Immediately my kids started hammering me for more jam.
I kept telling Val, "You've got to teach me how to make that jam!" She took pity on the kids and kept bringing over one jar after another. She'd bring jars for birthdays and every time I ran out. I hate canning and I know how I feel about giving my canning away. It's a loving generous heart that gives their hard work away and Val kept doing just that.
I'm so excited this week she's going to show me how to make it. She even offered to can my jam for me. I love this girl! Who offers to can for someone else? Not me! I want to kiss her!

So prepare yourself, this jam is so good you want to spoon it right out of the jar! And it has a secret ingredient in it. You're going to love it.

It tastes divine on warm homemade bread or anything else you want to slather it on! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Plum Jam (Best made from Italian plums or there like.)

1 (6 oz) pkg. Jello (any flavor)
3-4 cups of sugar
4 cups prepared plums
2 Tbsp lemon juice

Prepare plums by slicing in half to remove the pits. Put plums in blender with skins. Blend until it starts to whirl. Put all ingredients in a big pan and mix. Cook to a slow boil for about 10 minutes. When the jam stays in between the tines of a fork after dipping it in the mixture, it is done. Put in canning jars with clean boiled lids. Hot water bath for 15 mins. (You can use any flavor of Jello. Try them all. Our favorites were grape, raspberry, and blackberry!)