An Exciting Announcement: “Not Your Mama’s Canning Book” Is Here!
No, I am not pregnant – though after having five children in eight years, it’s a natural assumption whenever I hint at a big announcement! In a way, however, this news isn’t entirely unrelated. Much like a cherished pregnancy, I’ve lovingly nurtured this project for a solid nine months. It’s been a journey filled with both apprehension and immense joy, and today, I am absolutely thrilled to share that I’m finally “giving birth” to my very own cookbook! Mark your calendars: Not Your Mama’s Canning Book: Modern Canned Goods and What to Make with Them will be released on July 19, 2016. For everyone who has ever asked about my cookbook, the wait is almost over!
This dream project will hit both virtual and physical shelves shortly before my 42nd birthday next month, making it the most incredible gift I could ask for. Becoming a published cookbook author has been a long-held aspiration, and seeing it come to fruition is truly surreal. I’ll be sharing tantalizing sneak peeks of recipe photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can follow along and discover these images by searching for #NotYourMamasCanningBook. It might be a mouthful, but like me, it’s full of flavor and character!
You can secure your copy of Not Your Mama’s Canning Book today by pre-ordering from major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound. Don’t miss out – get ready to transform your kitchen with innovative canning techniques and incredible recipes!
Redefining Home Canning: Beyond Basic Preserves
At its heart, Not Your Mama’s Canning Book is, without a doubt, a comprehensive canning cookbook. But it’s far more than just a collection of standard recipes. The first half of the book introduces approximately 40 unique, modern, and globally-inspired canning recipes designed to elevate your pantry. These aren’t your grandmother’s forgotten jellies; they’re vibrant, flavorful creations that bring a fresh perspective to food preservation. As an added bonus, I’ve included a treasure trove of recipes for preserving fresh herbs and crafting your own normally expensive boutique extracts, allowing you to infuse your cooking with incredible homemade flavors.
But here’s the truly revolutionary part – and if you’ll indulge me, read this next sentence in your best, most enthusiastic television commercial voice: “But WAIT! There’s MORE!”
The “Payoff Recipe” Concept: Your Canned Goods, Reimagined
How many of us have enthusiastically canned something, only for the jars to sit untouched on a shelf, slowly gathering dust because we weren’t quite sure what to do with them afterward? (Yes, I’m looking at you, mystery jar of pickled plums!) I’ve made sure to address this common dilemma head-on. Every single canning recipe in the first half of Not Your Mama’s Canning Book comes with at least one “Payoff Recipe.” This means each preservation method has a corresponding, delicious recipe specifically designed to be made WITH your newly canned goods. No more guessing, no more wasted effort – just pure culinary inspiration!
This innovative approach ensures that your home-canned treasures don’t just fill shelves; they become integral ingredients in exciting, flavorful meals. It’s about transforming the art of canning from mere preservation into a pathway to everyday gourmet cooking. Let’s explore a few mouth-watering examples to show you exactly what I mean.
Recipe Spotlight: Korean Barbecue Sauce and Flank Steak Lettuce Wraps
First up, we have an incredible Korean Barbecue Sauce. This recipe was a universal hit among my testers, with one friend swooning over it repeatedly – and I certainly didn’t object! It strikes a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, bursting with classic Korean flavors like garlic, ginger, gochujang, Asian pear, and soy sauce. What’s more, it’s almost obscenely easy to prepare, making it an incredibly satisfying project for even a beginning canner. Experienced canners, however, will find themselves making this delicious sauce year after year simply because of its unparalleled taste and versatility.
The true magic happens when you pair this vibrant Korean Barbecue Sauce with its “Payoff Recipe”: crowd-pleasing and budget-friendly Korean-Inspired Flank Steak Lettuce Wraps. These wraps are a symphony of flavors and textures – mouthwatering, incredibly satisfying, and elegant enough for entertaining guests, yet simple enough to whip up for a quick weeknight dinner. All this culinary delight stems from the simple act of canning your own Korean Barbecue Sauce. It’s a win-win situation, empowering you to create restaurant-quality meals from your pantry staples.
Recipe Spotlight: Whole Grain Dijon Mustard and Mile High Hot Ham and Swiss Sandwiches
Next, prepare to revolutionize your condiment game with homemade Whole Grain Dijon Mustard. This recipe puts most store-bought varieties to shame with its incredible depth of flavor. You have the freedom to customize the mustard to your preferred texture, from coarse and rustic to wonderfully smooth, but one thing is absolutely guaranteed: the rich, pungent flavors will utterly blow you away. Once you taste this homemade gem, you’ll want to use it on everything! It’s particularly phenomenal as the star ingredient in the book’s indulgent Mile High Hot Ham and Swiss Sandwiches, transforming a simple sandwich into an extraordinary culinary experience.
Recipe Spotlight: Choose Your Own Adventure Beans and Mega Melty Bean Dip
For all my bean-loving buddies out there, get ready for a game-changer: Choose Your Own Adventure Beans. “Say what?” you ask? It’s an innovative method that allows you not just to can beans, but to infuse them with incredible flavors *before* they’re even processed! Simply select your preferred dried beans, choose from a variety of tantalizing flavor add-ins, and follow the clear instructions. The result? Jar upon jar of perfectly cooked, seasoned beans that are ready to go at a moment’s notice. Imagine the convenience!
Pictured above, you can see versatile Mediterranean Chickpeas on the left, perfect for salads or wraps. On the right, behold the glorious Mega Melty Bean Dip, crafted from our Tex-Mex Beans – an absolute must-have for your next gathering or movie night. This concept opens up a world of possibilities, making canned beans a flavorful cornerstone of your meal planning.
Recipe Spotlight: Cherries Preserved in Red Wine Sauce, Seared Filet, and La Tenda Rossa Gin and Tonics
What culinary treasures do we have here? Introducing Cherries Preserved in Red Wine Sauce. These little beauties are incredibly versatile, playing beautifully alone as a luxurious topping or as an ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes. In fact, elements from this one canned good make their way into two distinct and equally impressive “Payoff Recipes.” First, the elegant Seared Filet Mignon with Red Wine Cherry Sauce transforms a simple steak into a gourmet experience. Second, for a sophisticated libation, we have the captivating La Tenda Rossa Gin and Tonics. Believe me, you’re going to want to make all three – these cherries are a true pantry hero!
Recipe Spotlight: Vanilla Fig Preserves and Fig and Pig Open-Faced Mexican Style Sandwiches
Allow me to introduce you to one of the most frequently consumed items from the entire cookbook: the exquisite Vanilla Fig Preserves, pictured above on the left. This preserve is a versatile superstar in our home! We enjoy it on elegant charcuterie trays, paired with creamy brie, slathered on peanut butter sandwiches, used as a luscious glaze for meats, and, of course, as the star component in these utterly delectable Fig and Pig Open-Faced Mexican Style Sandwiches from the book. The combination of sweet figs and savory pork is simply irresistible – we truly adore them!
Recipe Spotlight: New York Grape Pie Filling and Mini Grape Hand Pies
Friends, we have New York Grape Pie Filling! I know that grape pies are a cherished upstate and western New York tradition, but I am on a passionate mission to introduce this regional delight to the entire world. In the fall, New York residents eagerly comb the countryside to find roadside stands selling these fragrant, sweet, and tart beauties. Now, with this recipe, people everywhere can create their own slice of this unique culinary heritage. All you need are a few pounds of fresh Concord grapes and a little time, and you’ll be living large. Use the finished pie filling to bake a magnificent full-sized grape pie, or do what I love best and follow the book’s recipe for delightful Mini Grape Hand Pies, which tuck handily into lunches and picnic baskets for a perfect portable treat.
Recipe Spotlight: Caribbean Heat Habanero Hot Sauce and Sticky Jerk Chicken Wings
According to my husband and sons, of all the incredible recipes in the book, the Caribbean Heat Habanero Hot Sauce is their undisputed collective favorite. My test batch bottles had a mysterious habit of disappearing and reappearing empty! After making three whole batches, I finally exclaimed in frustration that if they didn’t stop devouring it, they’d have to make some themselves, as I desperately needed the bottles for photography and further experimentation. And guess what? My husband actually did just that! He diligently gathered the ingredients and “tested” my recipe for me by making a double batch. He was so incredibly proud of his handiwork that he even passed out jars to his siblings, spreading the spicy joy. These guys drizzle it on everything: eggs, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more. I, for one, love to incorporate its vibrant kick into the gorgeous Sticky Jerk Chicken Wings recipe from the book – a truly unforgettable dish!
Pictured above is the magnificent Not Your Mama’s Antipasto Tray, a true testament to the versatility of this cookbook! This impressive spread features not one, not two, but FOUR different recipes straight from the canning portion of the book. Imagine assembling such a vibrant, flavorful display entirely from your own home-canned ingredients – it’s perfect for entertaining and showcasing your culinary prowess.
Join the Home Canning Revolution!
More than anything, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you. Thank you for your unwavering encouragement, for sticking with me here on Foodie with Family, and for being an integral part of my extended family. I truly couldn’t have accomplished any of this without your support and engagement. Your appreciation means more to me than words can express. So, let’s get canning, friends – together, we’re going to create some truly amazing food memories!