Grape Jelly

Ingredients:

≈3.5 lbs grapes (about 5 large clusters of grapes), [need 5 cups grape juice]
3 cups white sugar
4 cups brown sugar
1.5 cups water
3.5 tbsp Ball classic pectin

How to Make: (takes about 2 hours)

1. Wash and remove grapes from stems.

2. Blend grapes on low setting in blender/ food processor, just enough so that skins are removed and grape juice released.
3. Boil the grape juice and 1.5 cups water in a pot for 10 minutes. Grape juice color should darken to a deep purple color.

4. Remove from heat and strain the juice to separate from the seeds and skin.

5. Boil the strained juice and add pectin.

6. Once mixture is at a rolling boil, add the sugar. Heat to rolling boil for 1 minute.

7. Remove from heat. Scrape off foam, if desired.
8. Ladle hot jelly into hot, sterilized jars. Seal lids and bands.
9. Place jars into stock pot and boil for 10 minutes if you are in a low altitude area.
10. Remove jars from pot and let cool. Seals should "pop," indicating a proper seal. Refrigerate or store in cool, dark place.

Peach Jam

     

This year's harvest from the peach tree in my backyard was massive! The peaches ripened around July 10, and by the time I picked them, they had ripened a bit much. I had wanted to learn how to make homemade jam for quite a while, and this became the perfect opportunity. I adapted the Sure-Jell package recipe to make this jam.

I have no idea what our peach variety is called... it has either dark red or white color on the inside.

Ingredients: (Makes 3 pint-sized jars)

4 cups diced peaches (about 12 whole peaches, peeled and pitted)
2 tbsp lime juice
5 cups white granulated sugar
3.5 tbsp Ball low or no-sugar needed pectin

I used Ball brand pectin. Got this from Safeway for about $5.

This is how pectin looks like. It helps solidify the jam and makes it set.

Tools:

Stock pot
Tongs
3 pint-sized Ball jars
Strainer
Non-stick pot (A non-stick pot is ideal for cooking the peaches, since the sugar doesn't stick to the bottom, as in a stainless steel pot.)

How to Make: (Takes about 2 hours.)

Pre-step: Remove lids & bands from jar. Sterilize glass jars in a stock pot filled with boiling hot water. Simmer lids and bands in separate pot.

1. Wash peaches. Cut an "X" on each peach (for easier peeling). Boil peaches in hot water. Transfer to ice water bath. Peel off skin. Dice peaches into either small or large chunks.

Boiling peaches in hot water to remove the fuzzy skin

2. Drain the excess water from the diced peaches through a mesh strainer. (You don't want too much water in the fruit, otherwise the jam will become like syrup.)

3. Boil peaches, lime juice, and pectin, STIRRING CONSTANTLY. 

4. Add sugar, STIRRING CONSTANTLY. Bring to boil for 1 minute, then immediately remove from heat. (You must boil for 1 minute, or the jam will become like syrup. Do not let the sugar stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat once boiled, otherwise you will get burnt jam!)

Burnt jam resulting from sugar sticking to bottom of stainless steel pot

This is good-looking, non-burnt jam.

5. Remove jars from stock pot. Ladle hot jam into hot jars. Seal the lids and bands on the jars.

6. Boil the filled jars for 10 minutes, if you are in a low altitude place. Increase boiling time if you are in higher altitudes.

7. Remove from pot and let cool. Jars should make a "pop" sound, indicating the jars are sealed. 

8. Refrigerate or store in a cool, dry place.

Vanilla Cupcakes (no butter)

I was so amazed when I found a recipe for vanilla cupcakes that does not require butter at all! The recipe I followed is here: http://natashaskitchen.com/2012/06/29/perfect-vanilla-cupcake-recipe/. I love how I have all the ingredients the recipe requires in my pantry. There is no last minute grocery shopping just for one thing. The light cupcake requires only oil, and it makes you feel good. The cupcakes turned out to have an elastic, bungee-like texture and moist, full of vanilla flavor interior. 

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups cake flour

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk + 1/2 teaspoon vinegar

2 large eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

How to Make:

1. Beat eggs, sugar, vanilla, and oil in mixer. 

2. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and milk.

3. Pour into baking cups, halfway full.

4. Bake for 12 minutes in a 350 °F oven.

5. Top with buttercream icing.

Chocolate Soufflé

I love how deliciously fancy this recipe is. It is chocolatey, airy, and sweet- topped with blackberries and powdered sugar, it is French gourmet dessert at home. I love French desserts and how they are delectable, distinguishable, and yet refined. With a touch of a spoon, the chocolate liqueur gushes out and you can't help but eat it in time before it all drips away.

Ingredients:

1/2 stick butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp per ramekin

3 eggs, separated

Cream of tartar, a pinch

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Powdered sugar, for dusting

How to Make:

1. Brush ramekins with butter & sugar

2. Whisk egg whites & cream of tartar

3. Melt chocolate & butter in a saucepan. Remove from pan. Let cool and add egg yolks.

4. Fold chocolate liqueur mixture + egg white mixture.

5. Bake approximately 15 minutes.