Green Options » amendt http://greenoptions.com/tag/amendt Posts tagged 'amendt' Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:45:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Jam on This: Four Tips to Save Money, Time and the Environment with Homemade Preserves http://sustainablog.org/2008/12/03/jam-on-this-four-tips-to-save-money-time-and-the-environment-with-homemade-preserves/ http://sustainablog.org/2008/12/03/jam-on-this-four-tips-to-save-money-time-and-the-environment-with-homemade-preserves/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:45:49 +0000 Lisa Kivirist http://sustainablog.org/2008/12/03/jam-on-this-four-tips-to-save-money-time-and-the-environment-with-homemade-preserves/ There may be some ironic, redeeming inspiration over the fact that the economy is in the can: the revival of home canning. As headlines lament the downward spiral of retail, the canning industry reports an inspiring increase in sales.

A key reason roots back to probably the same reason why our grandmothers routinely canned: it simply made economic sense. By making fruit preserves as home, you could get a better-tasting, higher quality product much cheaper. Today we can add environmental sense to that equation: home canning enables us to eat more local, organically-raised produce year-round, eliminating the need for fossil fuel based transportation costs.

Despite this rationale manifesto for home canning, getting started can prove to be a discouraging hurdle as the process – from fruit processing to hot-water baths – can seem overtly time-consuming. Not so, according to Linda Amendt, the cape-crusader of home canning. Winner of over 900 awards in state fair culinary competitions and author of two cookbooks, Amendt is on a mission to help people rediscover for themselves the satisfaction and savings of home canning.

“Making a batch of jam is no more complicated than whipping up a batch of cookies,” explains Amendt. “And I promise, nothing off the store shelf will ever compare to what you make in your own kitchen.”

Here are some of her tips to get off to a successful start in homemade preserves, the easiest route for novice canners. While the official growing season is – alas – behind most of us, stockpile these tips till next year and in the meantime use fresh apple cider, which is still available, for a great beginning project (recipe after the jump).

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]]> http://sustainablog.org/2008/12/03/jam-on-this-four-tips-to-save-money-time-and-the-environment-with-homemade-preserves/feed/ You Can Can: Four Tips for Virgin Jam Makers http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/03/you-can-can-four-tips-for-virgin-jam-makers/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/03/you-can-can-four-tips-for-virgin-jam-makers/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:39:55 +0000 Lisa Kivirist http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/03/you-can-can-four-tips-for-virgin-jam-makers/ “If you can make a batch of cookies, you can can.”

If the idea of home canning leaves you in overwhelming, uncomfortable culinary territory, take heed of the above advice from Linda Amendt, a woman on a mission to help us rediscover the joys of homemade preserves. Winner of over 900 awards in state fair culinary competitions and author of two cookbooks — Blue Ribbon Preserves: Secrets to Award-Winning Jams, Jellies, Marmalades & More and 175 Best James, Jellies, Marmalades and Other Soft Spreads – Amendt focuses on keeping things simple and satisfying.

Here are four starter tips from Amendt on getting started in canning homemade preserves, the easiest route for novice canners.. While the summer fresh produce season is – sniff – behind most of us, fresh apple cider is still available and makes a great beginner project (recipe after the jump) and creative holiday gift.

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