The Pepper Invasion Continues

   Last week the hot pepper harvest found it's way into the ketchup with delicious results. This week we managed to work them into a spicy twist on mustard. The farm boy has been working this recipe for a few seasons now..and, may I say, with tasty results. To date, this is one of his most requested canned goods.

Spicy Hot Pepper Mustard

46 hot peppers, seeded with stems removed

1 small onion, chopped

5 cloves garlic, chopped

1 pint prepared mustard

1 quart cider vinegar

6 cups sugar

1 tablespoon salt

1 packet pectin

Run the peppers, onion and garlic through a food processor or blender to form a nice paste. In a large, heavy bottom pot mix together the pepper paste, mustard, vinegar, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Stir in pectin. Bring back to a boil; boil 5 additional minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into 7 pint jars; process in water bath 15 minutes.

Notes:

..any peppers work here

..generally we use chili or cayenne peppers

...this year we mixed a variety of jalapeno, cayenne, pepperochini, tabasco..yum

..we tried a batch with stone ground mustard..super good results

...may use 1 cup flour/1 cup water in place of pectin, but tends to separate in jars

...funny- found a jar from 2007 in pantry- lid was corroded! This stuff is hot:)

How we eat it:

..as a mustard

as a glaze on brisket or chicken

in any recipe calling for mustard such as:

salad dressing, sandwich spreads, deviled eggs

   Be on the look out. You never know where this crazy pepper invasion will end up next!!

Phrases...

   Over my many years of mothering some very specific phrases have become routine in our home. If you asked my teens what I might say in various situations they could quote me word for word .. tone and inflection included.

1. "Own it." Basically, the point here is - you made a choice, admit it and face the consequences that come. 

2. "On task." Here is my - get your attention - phrase (i.e. for teens - put your phone down and work).

3. "Focus, focus, focus." This means - you know the answer/how to do this - put your mind to it and drop the excuses.

4. "Don't drive like a nut." ..the long version is..keep the music down, eyes on the road, phone in the purse, watch your speed, keep an eye out for weirdo's. 

5. "You're gonna miss this." My little reminder that you may roll your eyes now, but someday this will be a memory and you will long for it.

6. "Hey, we're still married." When they groan about mom and dad huggin' and a kissin' I remind them not all teens are blessed with both parents in the home. 

7. "Because I love you." In the midst of a heated meeting of the minds, we all need reminded that these battles happen out of love.

   Time and time again they come into our day; the little phrases that seem so small but mean so much. The funny part is, one day, some of these will be there phrases, too. I am going to love that, but for now..I'll just enjoy driving them nuts for a little while longer.

 

The Never-ending-ness...

   There is a never-ending-ness; a constant of busy things. Yet, fulfillment is found in the little parts; nestling a seed deep withing rich soil, nuzzling the softness of a donkey's nose, the delicate nibble of a goat's kiss. Peaceful joy I gain when looking across the land to see my family busy nearby; each of us purposeful in our place.

   We had the rare treat of all being home together for a whole day; no work, no college, no classes..just home. Together- such a special thing these days. Our hands were found in the kitchen, in the garden, in the barn...all around..and all together..working through the never-ending-ness of homestead life.

   The grill was lit and filled with tasty things as we gathered together to celebrate the never-ending-ness; growing and changing, working and learning, bending and flexing with the seasons of life. Together we talked and shared our planting and pulling, mucking and watering...creating and dreaming..all the parts that are never-ending.

   Day-ending found us pondering tomorrow; and the next day, and the one after. Looking forward at the never-ending-ness of it all...their goals and desires..and the comfort in those things which remain constant. In our home many things will change, and yet, many things will be found in the 'never-ending-ness'.

We hope you had a safe and happy Labor Day!

What Do You Do with a Habanero?

   Just this week the habanero peppers decided to kick it into gear producing a plentiful crop..now, what to do with them? Now, the farm boy believes in his crazy 'man mind' that the habanero pepper is totally interchangeable with other peppers; he's nuts. His habanero recipes are fear factor material..just ask a few of our fellow 4H'ers.
   You can use habanero peppers in many of your salsa and sauce recipes, however, due to their insane heat level..you want to seriously consider using only part of the pepper (no seeds). These peppers go atomic before you realize what hit you!
   Our search for a use brought us to a tasty recipe..tangy with a nice heat and beautiful bright orange color. May we present:

Belizean Habanero Hot Sauce

1 small onion, chopped

1 tablespoon oil

1 cup chopped carrot

2 cups water

Saute onion in oil. Add carrot and water; simmer til tender. Cool to room temp before placing in blender.

Pulse a few times to blend before adding:

2 habanero peppers, stems and seeds removed

3 tablespoons lime juice

3 tablespoons vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

Blend until smooth. 

Keeps in fridge for months; may be frozen or processed in a water bath.

Notes:

**Do not look over the blender when you open it..do not.

**Wear gloves when handling habaneros..they will get ya!

**Two cups of water makes for a thin sauce. Instead, I prefer using just enough water to cover the carrots and onions.

**Garlic is a nice addition as is lime zest.

How we eat it:

Cautiously!

In place of any other hot sauce:

on eggs, in sauce, 

drizzled on a burger or sandwich,

in tomato juice or a veggie smoothie (nice kick)

...with bread or milk close by..

Seriously..it's awesome..in that 'fire in your chest' sort of way!

What do you do with habaneros?

Because, seriously, I have more.

Sunday...

Psalm 115

King James Version (KJV)

115 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

² Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
³ But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
⁴ Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
⁵ They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
⁶ They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
⁷ They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
⁸ They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
⁹ O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
¹⁰ O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
¹¹ Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
¹² The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
¹³ He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
¹⁴ The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
¹⁵ Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.
¹⁶ The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
¹⁷ The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
¹⁸ But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord.