Friday, November 9, 2012

BECAUSE I {CAN}

Literally.
It is so much work.
And I love every minute of it.

This year I stepped out of my comfort zone and canned BACON.
Weird huh?

It's wrapped in parchment and stuffed in the jars.
No water added.
Used my pressure canner at 15 psi for 90 minutes.
When you're ready to use it, fry for a second and tada!
Use it for whatver you would use bacon for.

Unusual stuff I've canned:
Fruit cocktail.
Meatballs.
Cherry pie filling.
Chicken soup.
Beef stew.

Of course there's the normal stuff.
Chicken.
Peaches.
Applesauce.
Pickles.
and of course Salsa.
Can't ever have enough of that stuff.
Certainly is time consuming.
Probably doesn't save much money.
But it is relaxing.
Convenient meals for later.
And did I mention I love it?

Linked to Homestead Revival.

30 comments:

Debbie Jones said...

Wow, you are very ambitious with all that canning! I had no idea you could "can" bacon. That is a very interesting idea. There were some good sales on bacon recently, but I heard that it will soon be sky high with last summer's midwest drought. Enjoy your weekend!

Saimi said...

Man sista, you are INCREDIBLE!! This is why I shop Costco because I CAN't!

Good work and how rewarding, I"m impressed!!!

Nancy Face said...

*Applause*

Would you believe I've never canned a thing in my life? Because it's true! I am definitely a stranger to the ways of the Mason jar!

Queenie Jeannie said...

WOW!! Look at all that yummy food!!!! And just think...you are going to be so ready for the zombie apocalypse!!!

Anonymous said...

Awesome photos of all your hard work. It all looks delicious. Wishing you a nice weekend.

Julia said...

You are an industrious gal, wow.... I used to can food too but not the variety that you do. My goodness, bacon... Can you tell me how you process the bacon to keep in jars. I never heard of it and would like to try it sometimes when the bacon comes on sale. I usually buy it on sale and freeze it.

JB

" Hit It......." said...

I agree with Saimi...you are incredible. I wish I had a food storage like you. How on earth did you learn to do that? If you are ever having canning lessons...I want to come.

CB said...

You literally ROCK the canning world my friend!
I freeze my cooked bacon in the same way!
Everything f tastes better with Bacon - just gotta have it!

jen said...

You forgot to mention how beautiful it is on the shelf--nothing more gorgeous than a pantry filled with your own labor!

Julie Harward said...

That is beautiful. amazing work and I know because I have done it too. Love the bacon idea! I got burned out I thing though, haven't wanted to can at all these last few years.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I am in awe of your canning. I now know where I am going when the end of the world hits us :)

StitchinByTheLake said...

I'm like Julie - I need to know how you can bacon! blessings, marlene

life in red shoes said...

You.are.my.hero!

I also enjoy canning, I would love to try soups and stews, maybe bacon?
Problem is I am deathly afraid of pressure cooking! I have flashbacks of my mothers spewing cherries all over the kitchen!

Just Mags said...

Sweet Tauna you were born to can. All your canning just looks beautiful and so yummy. It was always hard work for me. I don't really enjoy doing kitchen stuff much. Never heard of anyone canning bacon before. Super job my sweet friend everything looks beautiful and delicious! Hugs

MZ said...

Yes you can!

Ginger said...

My sister is a big canner too. She has canned everything! She was even the regional canning rep in her area in Gilbert for a few years. She has canned butter, spaghetti (turned out mushy and not a good thing to can), green chili... lots of stuff. I think you and she should meet. I think you would like each other a lot! I need to tell her about the bacon though... I don't think she's done bacon before. She's gonna be SO excited! :)

PS - AWESOME pantry by the way! I'm totally jealous!

gigi said...

I know you didn't write, "RELAXING" really? That has never come to my mind when I am deep in the middle of canning whatever?? You are a Wonder Woman! Loves!

Furry Bottoms said...

Canned bacon? WOW. Im curious about how it will turn out!

Connie said...

Very impressive. I am impressed by your variety. Canning bacon? That is a new one, it must be very convenient. You rock!

tammy said...

My grandma used to make the best pickles. I would ask for them every Christmas as my gift. I miss them and her.

Bacon in a jar...I think that's what I should give my 16 yr old for Christmas this year.

wendy said...

I am glad you are taking care of my 2 year supply for me. Next time we drive the car down to Utah....we'll stop by and stock up (tee,hee)
when I used to can (USED TO...being the operative word)
I LOVED looking at all the bottles of stuff on the shelves. It is a good feeling and tastes so much better then store bought.

I'm excited to try the canned bacon.

Barb said...

I want to live at your house - you have all the good stuff ... ;0)

You are the queen of "can"!!


Carmi Quillts said...

I think we need to have a pantry show n tell. Any takers?

Kerin said...

Bravo!

Nothing tastes better than home canned goodness!!

My mom used to can bacon, and I've been thinking that I need to do some too.

Thanks for the inspiration!!

Emmy said...

I had no idea you could can bacon! that is crazy! And yes bacon makes everything better

Liz Mays said...

You're officially my canning idol now.

20 North Ora said...

This is something I so regret not having my Mom and Grandmother making me learn to do. Your canning is a piece of art. It is just beautiful. I cannot imagine the self gratification you get when you look at all of that.

I'm very impressed.

Judy

Unknown said...

I feel like such a doof! The only thing I know how to can is peaches and jam. Yup. My food storage is sad and pitiful.

I'm in awe that you're so obviously TALENTED with a pressure cooker!

Doran & Jody said...

BACON?! Really?
I would so love for you to come and visit with me, pick a product and teach me to CAN!!
Like...once a month!!

LKP said...

i'm completely blown away by the bacon! i need a pressure cooker that is all there is to it! all the foods i so desperately need to have in storage are foods that need the cooker. BACON is perfect case in point!

side note: i love all the images of your pantry shelves lined with canned yumminess. feels like a ginormous reassuring bear hug wrapped around my heart when i see the fruits of your labors. i love you.