Chocolate Syrup Recipe

(not preserving, but worth putting someplace where I won't loose it.)

Chocolate Syrup


1/2 C Cocoa Powder
1 C Sugar
1 C Water
1/8 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract

Combine cocoa, sugar, salt and water in a saucepan over med heat.  stir/whisk until the cocoa powder dissolves.

Bring to a slow simmer and simmer for about 2-3 minutes.

Remove from the heat and let cool a moment before whisking in vanilla.

Pour into a bottle and refrigerate for up to a month. (But it never lasts that long)

for a thicker syrup, simply simmer for longer.

Curried Pickled Cauliflower Recipe

Curried Pickled Cauliflower


3 C White vinegar
1 C Water
1/2 C Brown sugar
1 Tbsp Curry powder
1 Tbsp Salt
1 (2-3 lbs) Cauliflower, cut into 1/2" florets
1 Red bell pepper, diced
1 Onion, diced

Combine vinegar, water, brown sugar, curry powder, and salt and bring to a boil.

Add cauliflower, bell pepper, and onion and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are just tender: about 2 min.

Fill prepared jars and boiling water bath process for 10 minutes.  Turn off heat and let cool 5 minutes before removing jars.

let sit one week before eating.

Makes 3 Pints

(From Put 'Em Up by Sherri Brooks Vinton
https://www.inkling.com/read/put-em-up-sherri-brooks-vinton-1st/cauliflower/curried-cauliflower )

Melon Jam Recipes

(it should be noted that these recipes would probably have a higher star rating if I actually liked melon)


Honeydew Ginger Jam


2 1/2 C Melon, chopped
1/2 C 1 Tbsp Honey
1/2 1/3 C Sugar
2 3Tbsp Lemon juice
Zest of 1/2 Lemon
1 Tbsp finely chopped ginger
1/4 tsp Ground ginger powder
4 tsp Low sugar pectin

Combine melon, lemon juice, zest and ginger, bring mixture to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, mashing the melon with the back of your spoon as it softens.

Stir in pectin and bring to a hard boil, add honey and sugar bring back to a full rolling boil for 1 minute.

Spoon into prepared jars and boiling water bath process for 10 minutes.

Makes 1 half pint

(Inspired by:
 http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1623,145189-240193,00.html
http://passionfruitgarden.com/2013/03/31/melon-ginger-lemon-jam/ )






Vanilla Cantaloupe Jam


2 C Cantaloupe, chopped
1 C Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
Zest of 1/2 1 lemon
1 2 Tbsp Lemon juice
4 tsp 1 Tbsp Low sugar pectin

Combine melon, lemon zest and juice, simmer for about 10 minutes, mashing melon with the back of your spoon as it softens.

Stir in pectin and bring to a full rolling boil.

Add sugar and bring back to a full rolling boil for 1 minute.

Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.

Spoon into prepared jars and boiling water bath process for 10 minutes

Makes 1 1/2 half pints.

(Inspired by Cantaloupe Jam with Vanilla from Food in Jars)


(05-12-13) forgot to taste the cantaloupe jam before washing the pot, but smelled divine.  Honeydew jam was too sweet, to honey, not enough honeydew and ginger, so I've marked planed changes in blue.
(05-13-13) the small jar of Vanilla Cantaloupe didn't seal so got to try some this morning.  very melon-y but a touch too much vanilla.  once again, alterations marked in blue.
(7-12-13) finished the small jar of vanilla cantaloupe the other day, I have to admit it grew on me, maybe not my first choice, but definitely a good jam.