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Quick and Easy Cherry Coconut Fluff Dessert Recipe

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My husband and I were invited to a summer cookout and volleyball extravaganza. Like all good Midwesterners, we automatically knew that includes bringing food for the potluck portion of the party. Unfortunately, earlier in the week due to a raging thunderstorm that took down power line followed by temperatures that shot up into the 90’s (F ) our electric company gave a huge chunk of the state the gift of multiday rolling blackouts early in the week. Fortunately, we got our electricity back in one of the first waves. Even though we didn’t lose any of our food in the freezer (I had the freezer packed with big reusable ice packs similar to these to get them ready for the party) the power outages made grocery shopping for fresh party food ingredients difficult. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. I poked around my pantry and got a little creative. I made a quick and easy three ingredient cherry coconut fluff salad recipe that just so happens to also b
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My New (to Me) Canning Equipment!

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I got over my fear of canning and canned spiced blueberry jam. Now that I know canning jam doesn't take all day or bushels of fruit I want to do more of it. I looked into buying some of the equipment many of you agreed I didn't absolutely need to can food but will make the job easier and is nice to have.

After not winning it at the drawing at The Easton Farmers Market (waaah!) I bought the Ball Home Canning Discovery kit because I wanted something to keep the full jars of jam from flopping around in my stockpot while they cooked/processed/did the thing that makes sure you don't kill people with botulism. It's 10 bucks, comes with three jars (I need those too), and the silicone basket thingy squishes into a drawer when you aren't using it. How perfect for me and my small kitchen!

Ball Home Canning Discovery Kit

After I bought it, I mentioned my purchase and recent canning escapades to my mom. She asked me if I could return the Ball Home Canning Discovery Kit. I told I could but didn't want to because I didn't know where she was going with the conversation.



Where she went was to her garage. My mom gave me her old canning equipment!

 
I have a canning pot, rack, jar lifter, canning funnel, and a few jars too.


I will definitely use it. Husband and I are trying our hand at creating a covert front yard vegetable garden. I think we did a little too well at our first attempt.

 

I have to do something with all of these cucumbers! 

Good thing Husband likes pickles.

Help a canning newbie out. What are your favorite canning cookbooks?




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Comments

Athena said…
I am new to canning but my mom always canned. So far my daughter and I have made apple jelly and grape jelly. And guess what - no fruit needed - we made them from juice. Awesome and easy. I do have the recipe on my blog if you are interested. I want to try pickles and salsa next...
September 5, 2011 at 9:25 PM
Rivki Locker said…
I am terrified of canning. I think it's the only food preparation I've never tried. I have fears of killing my loved ones with my horribly spoiled goods. Burning my arms while reaching into scalding water to rescue my jam. You are a brave soul.
September 5, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Lisa Nelsen-Woods said…
Rivki - Try making freezer jam instead of canning. You do everything to make jam with the exception of putting the jars in a canning pot. It's much less intimidating.
September 6, 2011 at 5:38 PM

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