Habanero Apricot Jam

        At the end of June, Cindy and I went and picked several boxes of Apricots.  I thought… ok this will be the year that I finally will learn to bottle. Thanks to Cindy’s help it was successful.  I love Apricots, but my family not so much.  By chance I came across a magazine called tasteofhome which was all about canning & preserving. I bought it and found many wonderful recipes that I hope to try. One of those recipes was habanero apricot jam. I was so excited to try out this recipe. My husband loves hot and spicy things…me not so much. I thought it would be a meet in the middle kind of thing. To my surprise it was.    Habanero Apricot Jam has a perfect blend. It has just enough sweetness and a little kick of spice. I know for sure that it is a recipe that I will use for years to come. It is simple to make with lots of yumminess.

Supplies you will need to make 11 Half-Pints
3-1/2 pounds of fresh apricots
6 Tablespoons of bottled lemon juice
2 to 4 habanero peppers, seeded (My hubby loved the batch that we used 6 Peppers)
1 package (1-3/4 ounces) of powered fruit pectin
7 cups of sugar
  If you want a larger batch or a smaller batch just look on the pectin bottle for measurement directions.

Directions for making your Jam

1.       Pit and chop your apricots, place in a large cooking pot (you can use a Dutch oven). Stir in your lemon juice.

2.       Cut open your habanero peppers. Cut long ways. Scrape out peppers seeds. If you like flaming hot then you can keep seeds in. Chop up your peppers place in blender, add small amount of apricot mixture. Cover and process until smooth. Pour mixture into your cooking pot.

3.       Stir in your pectin. Bring your liquids to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Stir in your sugar, return to a full rolling boil. Let it boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly (Be careful not to burn mixture).

4.      Remove from the heat; skim off the foam. Carefully ladle the hot mixture into hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving ¼-in headspace. Wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 5 minutes in a boiling-water canner. 

5.       For best results, let processed jams stand at room temperature for 2 weeks to set up.

Hot tip: Use your Habanero Apricot Jam as a marinade for pork, or with cranberry sauce for poultry and with cream cheese to spread on a celery stick. There are many uses for this delicious jam. Be prepared to have this be a hit at any gathering. Stock Up!!!!!

Note: In Tasteofhome Canning & Preserving magazine this was made in a Dutch oven.

Homemade Root Beer

It’s Cool Down time! What is more perfect on a hot summer day than to cool down with a glass of Homemade Root Beer? It is also a fun activity for the whole family. It will be a sure hit with the kids. My boys love it when the dry ice makes an explosion when hitting the water. They think it is the coolest thing ever. It is cheap entertainment and a delicious reward for their efforts.

Making Homemade Root Beer is great fun, delicious, and very easy to do! It is great for summer, camp outs, picnics, or for any family activity. You can find all your supplies at most local markets for relatively cheap.

Ingredients & Supplies that will be needed:

2 oz. bottle Root Beer Concentrate 5 gallons of cool water “Chill with ice cubes” 4 pounds sugar. 5 pounds dry ice Vanilla

10 gallon water jug  with a tight lid or cover Large spoon Cups Gloves to protect your skin when handling Dry Ice

Directions for your Homemade Root Beer:

Put your 5 gallons of water into your 10 gallon jug. The water needs to be cool. Just add some regular ice cubes if needed. Pour sugar into the jug and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add your 2oz of Root Beer Concentrate and stir. Lastly, carefully add your dry ice.  Make sure your lid is screwed on tightly. The dry ice will bubble for about 15 minutes, and then it's ready to drink. You cannot get any simpler than that.

Please Note: If you need to make a larger batch of Root Beer just add an ounce of Vanilla and more sugar. Also if you do not want to make 10 gallons of Root Beer just check on the back of the Root Beer concentrate bottle for directions.

Just a Few Tips before you begin:

Your 10 gallon water jug should have a screw on lid, or a tight lid that covers the jug. Remember that dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide. It is extremely cold and can cause burns so use caution and clean gloves when handling it. The dry ice will break down from a solid into a gas. There will be bubbling and a mist coming out of your 10 gallon jug. Which I think is the most fun part of this activity.  The purpose of using dry ice is to cool down the root beer and to add carbonation.

If the container is sealed too tightly, you may run the risk of the container exploding from too much pressure from the dry ice. If the container is left open, you will not get enough fizz.

Just use caution and keep an eye on the process.  We hope you will enjoy your summer and keep cool with a large glass of Homemade Root Beer!

Warning:  Dry ice is EXTREMELY cold and can cause damage to skin. Also if you don’t release the pressure every now and then from jug, it may try and blow the lid top off!

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Did You Know There Are Many Ways To Use Hairsprays In Your Home?

Hairspray is a common item that can be found in most of our households. Most common use is for holding hair in place, but did you know that there are many other uses for hairspray?  Hairspray can be a quick and cheap solution for some of our everyday issues that we come in contact with. Now if you do not use hairspray just go to a local dollar store and pick some up. I would suggest aerosol hairspray for best use. I am also going to give you some suggestions on how to make your own hairspray.

a.       Ink stains on your clothing can be removed by spraying with hairspray before washing. Just spray ink spot with hairspray rub, and then rinse with water. Repeat steps if needed before putting in wash.  This is the second most common use of hairspray.
b.      Use hairspray to remove ink from your walls. Just spray hairspray on ink spot, Let it sit for about a minute, then wipe. Repeat if necessary.
c.       Use hairspray on your stockings or tights to stop any runs or tears. Reduce runs in pantyhose by spraying the toes of a new pair before wearing them. The spray strengthens the threads, heads off runs and makes the stockings last longer.
d.      Spraying newspaper with hairspray will gives it a shine and makes excellent wrapping paper. This is a great way to save a bunch of $$$ money on not having to buy wrapping paper.
e.       Extend the life of a fresh Christmas wreath by spritzing it all over as soon as you get it home. The wreath lasts longer and will drop fewer needles. The hairspray traps moisture to keep the wreath fresh-looking. You can also use Hairspray to preserve your dry flowers, leaves and keep autumn colors.
f.        If you have a zipper that keeps coming down spray it with hairspray containing lacquer and it will stay up. This will save you tons of $$$$ on not have to get rid of faulty wear or trying to replace the zipper.
g.       Hairspray is a good emergency insect spray and will kill most flying insects. Simply spray the insect with hairspray to kill it. This is a safe alternative to use around your pets because it is not as heavy toxic like most insecticides. Hairspray will knock bats out of the air but…..I would leave any bat issues for the professionals.
h.      Hairspray can help straighten out your ruffled curtains. Hold curtain in desired folds and spray with hairspray to keep them in place. This works best with thin fabrics.
i.         Hairspray will also remove lipstick. Spray the stain and let it sit for several minutes. Wipe off the hairspray and the lipstick with it. Repeat if needed.
j.         Polish shoes and add a coating of hairspray and shoes will stay shiny longer. Hairspray adds an extra coat of protection. Shoe polish should not rub off.
k.       If you are a pet owner or lover, chances are that you will have pet hair on furniture and on your clothing. A simple way to clean up  pet hair is to spray some hairspray on a tissue or old rags and pet hair will stick to tissue or rag. Just throw away and you are done.
l.         Use hairspray to remove ink marks from hard surfaces. Just spray and wipe. Repeat if needed.
m.    Protect those family recipe cards with hairspray. Hairspray will coat the cards. Will help prevent food stains and keep recipe cards clean. The hairspray will help create a protection barrier, and splatters will wipe right off.
n.      Hairspray can be used to preserve your art work.  Only use hairspray on graphic art that was done with pencils, or chalks. This keeps the art work from smudging and fading. Make sure you spray just lightly. Do not soak paper with spray.

Here are some quick, cheap solutions for natural, homemade hairspray:

o.      Most natural is using lemon! Use a small spray bottle, then squeeze some fresh lemon into the bottle and voila. Not only is it safe, it will also give you a lovely smell, instead of a harsh chemical smell. Also works well on baby hair.
p.      Another natural hairspray is sugar and water. Put sugar and water in spray bottle.
q.      Another great tip:  Mix unflavored gelatin with water, to use as a setting lotion for curlers...this will make the hair quite stiff, when dry.

Caution:  Aerosol Hairspray can be inflammable, so keep the spray away from fires, candles, etc. Do not inhale the spray while you are using it. Be careful when using hairspray to remove lipstick or ink marks on silk or other delicate fabrics.

5 R Rated Tips

Now that we have your attention!! LoL! We want to share with you 5 Real Quick and Simple tips for using Hydrogen Peroxide.

1: Hydrogen Peroxide is great for getting blood out of your clothing. Cindy's husband uses blood thinners which often times results in him getting blood on his clothing, sheets, and pillow cases from simple cuts. It also works wonders for women that need to remove blood from their undergarments.(This can be very R Rated in itself). To remove blood stains just spray Hydrogen Peroxide on blood spot and let it dissolve. Then put your Clothing in washing machine. Blood Stain will be gone.(Hydrogen Peroxide must be put on clothing before washing. Failure to do so will result in the stain not being fully removed from clothing).

2: Spray on your cutting boards after cutting meats. Wash your cutting board first and then spray. This will disinfect your board. Let dry...Ready for use.

3: Spray as a disinfectant on cuts..Will sting. If you are like me sometimes this will cause me to say some R rated words!!! 

4: Great Cleaner for Grout Lines.. Just spray on grout lines and let it set. Then wash off.

5: Use a diluted solution of Hydrogen Peroxide in spray bottle. Use to clean leather seats. Will remove all those tough stains and kills many of those R Rated Germs that we don't want our family to come in contact with.

There are many Real Quick uses for hydrogen peroxide. It's a cheap cleanser and best of all its a great disinfectant.  Let us know if you have any great tips for using Hydrogen Peroxide. Cindy and I are always up to new ways for use.

It's Chicken Sublime in a Biscuit

This is a great recipe to make for the family. Whether for lunch, dinner or simply on the go this meal is quick to make and very delish to the taste. All you need is 20 minutes.

Supplies Needed.

1 Muffin Pan

Cooking Spray

Corn Starch

1 Can of Biscuits "Large Size"

1 26oz Can of Chicken Noodle Soup

1 Large Sauce Pan

Pepper, Parsley, Parmesan Cheese

Instruction for Recipe:

Add 26oz of Chicken Noodle Soup in sauce pan. Place heat on medium. Add 1/4cup of Cornstarch mixed with 1/2cup of water (Add more cornstarch if thicker sauce is desired).

Add desired Pepper and Parsley for taste ( you can add more chicken or veggie to soup if you want it to be more hearty).

Thicken Sauce on stove.

While Sauce is thicken preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Roll each biscuit out to 1/8" thick.

Please note that I could not find my rolling pin so, Cindy and I used my cooking spray can as one. LOL!

Press your Biscuits into a greased Muffin Tin.

Fill with your soup mix. Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese on top (opt).

Cook for 15 minutes or until golden Brown.

This is a dish that your family will be sure to love. Each serving size is filled with lot of deliciousness!  If you are serving for dinner just add a dinner salad to the meal and you are good to go. This is not only great tasting it is very cost effective.  Please try and let us know what you think. This recipe is Simplify By Suzy Q's  very own.

Pita Bread or Pocket Bread Recipe

Pita is a Greek word that means "Flat" Bread

Supplies that will be needed: Mixing bowl or bread maker

Water bottle: to moisten your dough before you place in oven

Baking Stone or Cookie Sheet turned over: Place bread on to bake

Rolling Pin: Roll your dough out to 1/4" thick

Cooking Spray: Grease your bowls and Cookies Sheets

Here is the Recipe that we use to make our Pita Bread

1 CUP OF WHEAT FLOUR

2 CUPS OF FLOUR

1 1/4CUP OF OLIVE OIL

2 1/2 TSP OF YEAST

1 1/2 TSP OF SALT

OPTIONAL POPPY SEEDS AND CORN MEAL (Place over top of bread for texture and taste).

 You can use any Bread Recipe to make your Pita or Flat Bread.

Cindy used her bread machine to mix her ingredients but, if you do not have one that is OK. A Bread Machine just makes it easier.  Make into soft dough. Put your dough in a greased bowl and let rise for 2 hours. Punch down. Make into 8 balls. Dust a cookie sheet with corn meal or flour. Place balls on floured cookie sheet. Wet dishcloth or paper towel and place on top of balls and let rest for 20 minutes.

Roll your ball of dough out to 1/4" thick. Make sure you use plenty of flour so, your dough will not stick to rolling pin or your wax paper. Spray water on your bread. this helps to create your pocket in bread.

Place on a Baking Stone, Iron Skillet or an up side down cookie sheet(Lightly Oiled).

Place in hot oven at 450 degrees for 5 Minutes.

Cut your bread in half. Fill your Peta or Pocket bread with desired filling. This recipe it great for summer. It is light and yummy. I myself like to eat it by it self without any filling.

Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

Another week and another simple and great recipe that I wanted to share with you. I made this salad for a family gathering two weeks ago. My family loved it. Summer is upon us and this salad is great for something simple and light.

Ingredients that you will need:

4 cups or 12oz of uncooked spiral pasta or bow tie pasta

1 Cup of fresh basil Pesto

2 Tbsp of chopped green olives or olive tapenade. (I used 1 can of green olives). Use a desired amount

1/4 cup pine nuts. I would suggest at least 1/2 cup. I love pine nuts in this salad!

1 Cup of frozen peas, defrosted or fresh if you can get them. Peas are optional. I do not like them so, I do not use them.

12 ounces of cherry tomatoes, halved

Several fresh basil leaves coarsely chopped

3 Caps of olive oil

Salt and Pepper for desired taste

1 to 2 cups of grated Monterey Jack Cheese

Steps in putting the Salad together:

Step 1: Cook pasta according to instructions on the package. Make sure the water is salted. Remove your pasta from stove and strain your pasta after it is cooked. Make sure you do not over cook your pasta.

Step 2: Put your pasta in a large serving bowl.

Step 3: chop and Mix in your basil pesto, green olives, and pine nuts. Gently mix in your cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves and olive oil.(peas optional)

Step 4: Add your 2 cups of grated Monterey Jack Cheese. Salt and Pepper to taste.You can chill your pasta or serve at room temperature.

Serving size 6- 10  Enjoy! This pasta salad will be one you will keep coming back for!