Raw Cane Sugar Sea Glass Candy

 This project was so quick and easy.  I might even suggest it for a fun candy to make with kids as long as there are no distractions and you're very organized and careful of the hot sugar.

I'm not a candy expert by any means.  But I did grow up learning and trying new candies to make at home.     

Our family tradition for Christmas Eve is always making fudge, caramels and peanut brittle.

This one is extremely easy as candy goes.  *Not even any stirring which is unusual.

Here is the original recipe posting from "The Kid Can Cook" that I used as inspiration.

http://thekidcancook.blogspot.com/2011/05/cooking-up-party-sea-glass-candy.html

I'll leave the detailed step by step for this to the original posting but the ingredients couldn't

be any easier.  I already remember all that's in it and the proportions.

2 Cups of Sugar

 (I used Raw Cane Sugar from iHerb.) 

Next time I may try it using Coconut Palm)

1 Cup of Water

3/4 Cup Light Corn Syrup

2-3 drops of Food Coloring

And some flavoring (just a few drops) like Peppermint, Lemon, Mint etc.

(Today I just used NuNatural's Liquid Orange & Lemon Flavored Stevia)

Today I made 2 batches, a small batch of Green first, then when I knew how easy it was,

a full batch of Blue.

And about a Cup or so of Powdered Sugar

 if you want to dust each piece so they're not as sticky

Don't have any powdered sugar on hand?

Make your own - Homemade Brown Sugar and Powdered Sugar Directions

Cool for about 30 minutes (I put mine in the fridge for about 5)

Maybe by now your saying,"okay, it looks like glass.  But what's with the 'sea glass'?"

Here's plenty more info on that:  utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS

And if you don't want to mess with the sugar, here's a link to buy some:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93855337/hard-candy-sea-glass-3-oz-sample-bag-for?utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS

Seems from what I see on line it's popular at Weddings as well.  It would make a great gift...

It does look like old broken glass, that's for sure!

My Hydrangeas made it through the storms last night okay by the way....

So, Sea Glass Candy. 

Really easy and fun to make.

Not a lot of work or cost.  And it would make a great gift.  I stored most of this

today in a baggy and put it in the freezer.  If I need to make up a nice homemade

gift for someone, I know where to get some cool candy for someone nice!

No, I wouldn't suggest eating this stuff if you drop it in sand!  I sacrificed a few pieces for the pics...

Raw Cane Sugar Sea Glass Candy.

Enjoy!

Sugar Free Sunflower Seed Butter

This is the Sunflower Seed Butter mixed with a Mocha powder.  Lot's of variety options for this.

Blend the nuts, scraping down sides until
the smooth texture you want is made.
You can add in a variety of flavors to this
base or just enjoy the Sunflower flavor.

 

I'm storing the Sunflower Seed Butter in a canning jar.
Don't think that this one can be preserved by canning method but stores in the freezer well for at least 1 year.

This nut butter has so many variations:

Use Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts, Hazelnuts or Brazil nuts instead of Sunflowers.

I used Sunflower Seeds today because I found 1 pound for just $2.50

so

it's definitely an economical option to store bought nut butters.

After I made up this first batch of Sunflower Seed Butter, I poured half in another container.

Then I stirred in 1 Tbs. of Cocoa Powder and 1 Tbs. of Caffix Coffee Substitute to

make a Mocha version of this dipping sauce. 

It can be flavored many different ways to suit your own tastes.  Vanilla, Raspberry, or mix in your favorite jam to create an even richer sauce.  It can be heated to pour over desserts as well.

This Sunflower Seed Butter makes a great gift too.  Make up a few batches, pour into jars and store them in the freezer for last minute gifts.  They will keep for at least a year if kept sealed and frozen.

Enjoy!

Watermelon Jam

I saw this recipe on line and had to give it a try. 

My favorite fruit is Watermelon!  It's what makes the 90 degree days worth while in the summer, it's sweet, juicy and not really unhealthy.  So making jam that I can open up in the deep freeze of winter sounded like a perfect idea.

The recipe is included here:    http://blondiescakes.blogspot.com/2010/09/watermelon-jam.html

With most canning processes, it's just easier to put out a tried recipe since canning is more science than a lot of food we enjoy.  I used more watermelon than in this recipe and less sugar. 

And I didn't puree the fruit in advance. 

I used an immersion blender to smooth while cooking the fruit for a while to

save some time and mess.

The rest was the same process.

My $3.99 Watermelon made up much more jam than I expected.  This works out to about .75 per jar!

I'll have to let you know if it's a good as it looks when it sets up. 

Can't wait to spread a little on a biscuit!

Red Grapefruit Marmalade

I found this cute little tea set today at the Asian market.  $4.99 for the steeper and the little bowls were just .89 so I picked up two of those for

dipping bowls.                                                                     

Almond Butter Mocha Fudge

Almond butter and meal are great nutritional foods that can easily and inexpensively be made in your own kitchen with a few basic tools.  Here's a great link on the steps to get started making your own, you can also purchase either at most grocery stores these days as well. 

http://naturalnoshing.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/homemade-almond-butter/     

Chocolate Cashew Butter

This one cannot be preserved but it will keep in the freezer up to one year if you can keep from eating it that long...............

Makes 4 - 5 Oz.

1 C. Cashews, salted or not
4 Tbs. sugar * I used Splenda
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
2 Tbs. Cocoa Powder

Roast cashews on cookie sheet for 10 - 15 minutes, careful not to burn them.
Blend cashews and Olive Oil in food processor, scraping down sides frequently until you have the consistency of chocolate syrup or the ribbon stage look to your cashews.
Add in sugar and chocolate and continue blending for another 1 - 2 minutes.

Store in air tight jar in fridge or freezer.  Serve as a dessert topping or on crackers, toast etc.

Cranberry Chutney w/Pumpkin Seeds

Cranberry Chutney with Pumpkin Bread

Spiced Pears

RED BARTLETT PEAR

ASIAN PEAR

WILLIAMS PEAR

Spiced Canned Pears 
Makes 7 Pint Jars
16 - 20 firm, but ripe pears ( I used a variety of Red Bartlett,    Asian, Bosc, and William's 4 of each)

BOSC PEAR

2 C. sugar
6-7 C. water
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. freshly grated nutmeg
3 whole star anise
7 pint jars
lids and rings
canning kettle
jar lifter
large ladle

Chinese Dipping Sauce

Chinese Dipping Sauce is a wonderful mixture of sweet, tart and spicy.  This would make a great housewarming gift for someone who enjoys Chinese food.

Here's the ingredients:
Makes about 3 cups or 5 1/2 pint jars and a little extra for tasting.

Chocolate Raspberry Sauce

Chocolate Raspberry Sauce

This sauce also makes a wonderful gift.  The only problem I had was the smell was so incredible in the kitchen while it was boiling I hated to put it all into jars!
This recipe is slightly modified from Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. The yield is about 8 half-pint jars.

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
5 cups crushed raspberries ( I used frozen and let them boil off the water)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 package powdered pectin
7 cups sugar or Splenda

Combine the first 4 ingredients. Bring to boil over high heat. Add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Bring to a rolling boil.