To Do This Weekend:

Whereas the pepper jelly is a done deal, I need to finish putting together cookie mixes in jars. I also want to finish hemming the dish towels that Little Miss is giving for Yuletide, and I want to start my cross stitch project.

I'm also doing more canning:

Chocolate Raspberry Spread

5 cups prepared fruit (buy about 2 qt. fully ripe red raspberries)
1 box SURE.JELL Fruit Pectin
5 squares BAKER'S Unsweetened Baking Chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp. butter or margarine (optional)
7 cups sugar, measured into separate bowl

Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
CRUSH raspberries thoroughly, one layer at a time. (Press half of the pulp through a sieve to remove some of the seeds, if desired.) Measure exactly 5 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-quart saucepot.
STIR pectin into prepared fruit in saucepot. Add chocolate; mix well. Add butter to reduce foaming, if desired. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
LADLE immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 minutes. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

(From Kraft Foods.com.)

If I get it all done now, I can relax as the holidays and our daughter's 2^nd birthday approach.

posted by Linda on November 19, 2004 11:26 PM