Carrot Cake Jam

CARROT CAKE JAM

Yummy Carrot Cake Jam! It's flavor is similar to Apple butter but better. WE Absolutely love this one, hope you do to.

1 1/2 c. finely grated peeled carrots (I used baby carrots, unpeeled)

1 1/2 c. chopped cored peeled pears (I used red pears)

1 3/4 c. canned pineapple, including juice

3 T. lemon juice

1 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

1/2 t. ground cloves

1 package regular powdered fruit pectin

6 1/2 c. granulated sugar

Prepare canner, jars and lids by boiling jars in water bath. Place lids in warm water and let soak.

In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine carrots, pears, pineapple with juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir frequently. Reduce heat, cover and boil for 20 min. stirring occassionally.

Remove from heat and whisk in pectin until dissolved. Bring to a boil over high heat. stirring frequently. add sugar all at once and return to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. boil hard, stirring constantly for 1 min. Remove from heat and skim off foam with a spoon.

Remove jars from Water bath. Ladle hot jam into jars leaving 1/4" headspace. Wipe rim of jars with dry cloth. Wipe lid with dry cloth and then set on top of jar, screw down band until fingertip tight.

Place jars in canner, make sure they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 min. Remove canner lid. Wait 5 min. then remove jars, cool on counterop and then store.

Makes 6 8oz. jars.

Sweet Potato Biscuits

1 large can of sweet potatoes (preferably without syrup), if with syrup drain them well.
1/2 c. unsalted butter
1 c. and 2 T. Cold buttermilk or (1c. milk with 1 T. lemon juice)
3 c. all purpose flour (sifted before measuring)
1 1/2 T. baking powder
1 t. salt
1 T. sugar
1/4 t. cayenne (optional)

Heat oven to 475. Drain can of sweet potatoes, then mash up well. Add Buttermilk to sweet potatoes and set aside.

In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cayenne). Cut in 1 T. at a time of butter until resembling a coarse meal. Then stir in sweet potato mixture using a wooden spoon. Mix until just lightly mixed. Then turn out on a lightly floured surface. Knead for 3-4 turns. Then pat into a 7x10 rectangle. Cut out biscuits. Place biscuits 2" apart on baking pan. Bake on top shelf for 15-20 min. Then serve warm.

Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding

serves 4 to 6

2 cups water

1cup long grain rice

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon dehydrated lemon zest

4 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 vanilla bean, split open

1 cup golden raisins

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in lemon zest, salt and long grain rice and return to a boil. Turn the heat to low and simmer the rice, covered, until all of the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.

Once rice is cooked, place it in a bowl and rise out pan. Add 4 cups of milk, sugar and vanilla bean to the pan. Bring to a low boil, stirring often so the milk doesn’t burn. Add the cooked rice and raisins to the hot milk. Stir often, until the milk cooks down and the rice is creamy, about 20 minutes. Place in a large bowl or serving dishes to cool. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce Muffins

Makes 12-15 muffins

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk or (1/2 c. milk & 1/2 t. white vinegar)
* see buttermilk recipe
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar or succanat
2 tbsp canola oil or almond oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup blueberries, dehydrated

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper cases or spray with nonstick cooking spray. I simple greased and floured a muffin pan, saving the paper.

In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a medium bowl combine applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil and egg. Make a well in dry ingredients and add applesauce mixture. Stir until just moist. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake for 16-18 minutes.