Right now, my kitchen looks like a pickle factory and I'm up to my elbows in sugar, vinegar and basins of fruits and vegetables waiting to be preserved...not to mention my fingernails look less than hygienic and feminine from rooting around in the garden...

...but there is nothing like sitting at your table on a blustery winter morning, watching snow blow past the window while you tuck into a jar of fruit preserved a...

 *This is a recipe that I posted last year but I thought it was quite fitting to re-post it, as tomatoes are coming out my ears and I'm sure your garden is doing the same!!

There is nothing better than walking into the house on a cool, crisp, fall day and being met with the familiar, comforting smell of a big kettle of chili sauce gently simmering on the stove...that to me, signifies the start of autumn. My Mom always had a bea...

 It's that time of year again when our gardens and farm stands are overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables, but one can only eat so much produce during this season. Preserving the tastiest fruits and vegetables at the peak of their freshness and flavour is a great way to capture the essence of summer to enjoy all winter long! 

 Years ago, many families depended on canning their bounty of fruits and vege...

 Every Christmas, my husband requests this classic British dessert, among others...and we're talking about 10 others...I rarely leave the kitchen this time of year! This sweet and gently spiced filling for pies, tarts and cakes is full of fruity goodness and is a perfect holiday treat!

 In a large stock pot, add 2 cups of suet...(you will find this in the freezer of the meat section at your grocery store)

 ...2 cups of...

 One of the things that I look forward to about the Christmas holidays, is the food...I'm quite happy to stuff myself delirious with cakes, cookies, roast meats, chocolates and of course, lots of appetizers!

One of my favourites is this red pepper jelly that is delicious on top of cream cheese slathered crackers. All of the bases are covered here...cheese, carbs AND a little bit of sweet and spicy...who wou...

 It's canning season and it wouldn't be fall unless I "put down" some tomatoes, chili sauce and salsa!

I've been asked a few times how to peel tomatoes for canning, so I thought I would do quick tutorial on that...If you are thinking "who does this young chippy think she is, telling us how to do somethin' that we've been doin' since before she was born?!"...then you can skip on through.

BUT, if you are thinking "she r...

  It just isn't summer for me until I dig out my wooden, 6 quart berry baskets and go pickin' !

My Mom took me when I was knee high to a grasshopper and taught me everything I know...when the berries are ripe for the harvest, how to pop each juicy berry off the stem and how to make fresh strawberry jam! 

 This jam is the no-cook freezer jam variety which is very quick and in my opinion, the freshest tasting!...