Monday, July 11, 2011

Filling the pressure canner

I've been canning green beans and they have to be pressure canned as they are a low acid food.  My canner holds 7 quart bottles.  Got the first load done and only had 5 jars for the second load.  Hate to waste energy so decided to whip up my home made Hersey Syrup to fill the space.  It isn't Hersey syrup but sure taste exactly like it!   This is made 100% from our food storage.  In February 1998 we invested in a 50 lb bag of cocoa powder.  We canned it in #10 metal cans with our dry pack canner.  You can use these free of charge at any LDS Food Storage Center.   They may not let you can things like cocoa but you can buy lots of stuff from them to can and you can vacuum seal the cocoa powder into canning jars or seal into plastic containers with oxy paks.  Cocoa powder lasts a very, very long time so is great in food storage!  Our family of 7 has been using the cocoa to make brownies, hot chocolate mixes, ect and still have 7 #10 can's left.  It was one of the best investments we ever made!  We got another 50 lb. bag back in January when I heard prices were going up and we could still get it at a reasonable price.     Anyway you can find the nearest Food Storage location near you by clicking the link at the top of this page I am listing here and you can also click to see their order form and current prices:   http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,8133-1-4352-1,00.html              

Now for the fun!   Making your very own chocolate syrup is easy and so great to have!  

MYO Hersey style Chocolate Syrup

1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1cup water
1 dash of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine the cocoa, sugar and salt in a saucepan.  Add water and mix until smooth.  Bring this to a boil.  Allow to boil for one minute, being careful that it does not boil over.  Remove from heat and let cool.  when cooled add the vanilla.   This makes 1 pint. 

I don't usually can this but decided it would be a good filler when we had space in the canners so they are full and we could have the syrup canned and ready to use when we need it and I'm to busy or not around to make it. 

You don't have to buy a big 50 lb. bag of cocoa either!  Just pick up a box of Hersey's cocoa in the baking isle when ever you can afford the extra stuff.  It can be a wonderful comfort to your family in really tough times!  Have fun!

Cherlynn

1 comment:

  1. Good idea for filling your canner. I will try it sometime when I do my canning.

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