Thursday, September 17, 2009

Canning Chicken...Yep I said Chicken!

I went to pick up Ellie from preschool and a friend of mine and me got talking. She told me she had just canned Chicken. She said that it was easy, there was a great sale on chicken and all you need is a pressure cooker. I got a hair brain idea that I should do this as well. I went out and bought the chicken and started cooking it. THat is when I realized I didn't have a pressure cooker. So after a lot of phone calls I finally found a friend of mine that has one.

It was a lot of work but so rewarding. I have only canned one other time with my Dad. We did raspberries. So this was my first time doing it all by myself. I will have to say I think it turned out pretty good. As of right now I can't stand the sight of chicken so it will be awhile before we break open a jar. I will have to say I am a little nervous to eat it. I know it is fine but just the thought of chicken on my shelf gives me the willies.

After the high of the chicken wore off, I decided to do my very first freezer jam. Okay...it is the easiest thing to do. I can't believe I have never done it. The kids helped and we banged out 13 jars in an hour. It tastes so yummy. I think I have found a new favorite thing to do. I love the feeling when you step back and look at what you have accomplished.

Ellie was more of a mess than a help but she had fun. She would smash the strawberries and get them everywhere. I spent more time cleaning her, then I did on the Jam.

JJ was the official dryer and he did help stir.

Emma was the cutter and chopper and she would stir as well.

Ellie was crying from her room and this is how I found her. She still has her shoes on. She is covered is strawberries. She started laughing when I walked in her room. That is why I let her help. She has such a great time doing it. I guess the mess she makes is worth it to see that silly smile.

10 comments:

laura j. said...

You are ambitious! I've never done chicken...it kind of scares me too. But I have to admit it would save a TON of time. Let me know how you feel about it in a couple months:)

Company EIGHT said...

Wow girl, I'm impressed! You can also do ground beef--

LOVE freezer jam. Unfortunately, not one person in my family likes jam, so I don't make it. I wish I lived next to you, then I could borrow a jar. :)

Jana said...

I love freezer jam. I think I need to give making it a try as well instead of just mooching off of my mom!!

Calee Richards said...

My oh My........ Look at you working mom and canning. How do you do it?

Amy Bouck said...

If you want to do anything else, let me know I will come teach you and help you. Way to go!!

larshannon said...

I can't tell you how impressed I am.

brittanyc said...

I really, really, really want to learn to can. Maybe we can get into this together! I've never done it before, but I definitely want to. And I must say that I LOVE that you took a glamour shot with your chicken :)
Britt
PS, you were the first person I thought about this morning. Seriously. Don't be surprised if I crash your place today! But then again, knowing me, don't be surprised if I don't either :)

Jewels said...

Wow, that is a ton of chicken!! I buy the cases from the cannery of chicken chunks-they look so disgusting but actually taste just like chicken. I had no idea you could can chicken, I can see how you might turn vegetarianish after all of that!!

Weir Family said...

Good for you! Freezer jam is one of our favorite's too, so easy it's amazing huh?!

emblair said...

Anything on a counter that cute would look appetizing! And ever since I got married (almost 10 yrs ago) I'be been wanting to make freezer jam. I can't stand anything from the store, so I just go without. I've heard it's so easy, yet why does the concept elude me?! You've inspired me though. I'm going to try it. Soon. I hope. Maybe in a month. Or two. :)