Blog

Fermenting in Mason JarsFor beginners, choosing a fermentation vessel can be as simple as going to your cupboard and pulling out one of the glass mason jars hiding in the corner. There are many great fermentation vessels on the market, but mason jars are by far the easiest vessel to use for several reasons - they are inexpensive, are available in many sizes, they are easy to find, and the clear glass allows you to see how your ferments are progressing. Another timesaving advantage of fermenting …

Why Vegetables Should Be Fermenting In Your Kitchen If you don’t have vegetables fermenting in your kitchen right now, you’re missing out. Fermenting vegetables by preserving them in liquid improves their nutritional profile and results in a tangy, crunchy, delicious final product. Kimchi and sauerkraut are popular variations, but almost any vegetable will ferment when submerged in liquid with salt and / or another starter culture added. Fermented vegetables also last for many months …

Sprouting is Easy!If you have been interested in sprouting seeds at home, it’s always a good time to start. Regardless of the weather outside, you can sprout on your kitchen counter all year round, and in as little as two days you will have a batch of inexpensive, nutritious sprouts. Sprouting is also a fun activity for kids, and they can be recruited to grow their own little “garden” indoors. For the most basic set-up, all you need is a glass mason jar, seeds to sprout, water, and a bit of ligh …

I have spent many years making grape juice. In the past, I never used any special tools or gadgets. I would squish the grapes in a pot as they heated then pour the released juices and pulp through a sieve. It took me countless hours of work to yield just a few quarts of juice.I finally decided to upgrade and try a steam juicer. One try and I wondered why I had waited so long. It took just one hour of letting the juicer do the work for me and it was ready! I’m excited to share with you just how e …

My newborn was nestled into her make-shift bed on the kitchen floor. My two-year-old had just been toddled up to her bed for an afternoon nap. Now it was my turn to address the boxes of WA state deliciousness – freshly picked, perfectly ripened, peaches.I’d been given step by step instructions from a dear, older friend, who’d been canning for years. The canning skill was not part of my heritage, and this was my first attempt. I may have been a little overzealous about this endeavor, clearly …