Archive for June, 2011

June 12, 2011

Help! I am addicted to Boysenberry Jam!

For breakfast here on the ranch, nothing is better than a couple of slices of my Blue Ribbon winning barley bread toasted up with some fresh cream butter and homemade jam- I have my favorites and boysenberry is at the top of the list!

I got these Boysenberries from Hattich Ranch & Farm right here in Napa (707 294-4490). Yes, I do raise a lot of berries here on my ranch, but I haven’t yet had a lot of luck with the boysenberry crop.

And they do taste Devine! Once I get a sample of this berry nectar on a spoon, people’s eyes light up with just one taste!

So, if you get a chance, run- don’t walk to Hattich’s right away as these berries have a very short season and go very fast. Do call first as   usually out working somewhere (like us!). They also have them bagged and frozen- that is how I prefer them if I am making jam as they are so much easier to use that way!

Now the best advice that I can give you if you are not an experienced jam maker is to pick up a copy of the Ball Canning Book. They usually have them wherever canning supplies are sold. I got mine at Tractor Supply, along with my canning jars, lids, etc. Canning is actually pretty easy to do, but it is important to read the directions thoroughly first and follow them exactly!

So, use the recipes that come with the book or the ones that come with your pectin so you won’t be disappointed with the results. I like to add a little citrus juice for flavor- usually lime juice if I have them. Lemons work great well, just stick to no more than a couple of teaspoons.

Try this cake out if you get the chance:

 http://www.foodista.com/recipe/TB63NGPY/boysenberry-jam-cake-with-caramel-icing

Enjoy!

June 10, 2011

Tangy Fresh Tomato Salad Dressing Recipe

We are being optimistic here- hopefully we will have early tomatoes. All these unseasonable storms keep knocking the fruit off our plants, but things are changing weather wise around here anyways- fresh tomatoes arriving soon!

We keep little baggies of poached chicken in the freezer for quick meals. During hot weather we love garden fresh salads, and a vegetable salad topped with tender moist chicken is a favorite.

Making your own salad dressings can be quick, economical and very healthy as well. This one takes a few more minutes to pan roast some garlic cloves but is so worth it in terms of fresh flavor.

You can zip this dressing up with some horseradish or even dijon mustard for a delightful seafood salad if you like:

  • 6 cloves garlic, roasted then peeled ( I throw them in a frying pan with a cover on low heat while I prepare the other ingredients)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 medium Clerici Ranch tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup onions, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons Clerici Ranch Lemon Vinegar
  • 1/3 cup Clerici Ranch basil, finely chopped

Throw all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
Keep refrigerated if not using right away.

Enjoy!

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