Jalapeno Jelly

12 oz. (about 12 medium) jalapeno peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 c. cider vinegar, divided
6 c. sugar
6 oz. liquid pectin (the entire box, use both packs)
Puree peppers in food processor or blender with 1 cup of the cider vinegar until smooth. Do not strain. Combine puree with remaining vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add liquid pectin and continue a hard boil for 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Pour immediately into sterilized jars and cap with sterilized lids. I don't do the hot water bath but Ball recommends that you do. If using a hot water bath, then process jelly for 15 minutes. Refrigerate any jars that don't seal within 12 hours.

Makes approx. 6 (8 oz.) jars. Serve jelly on crackers with cream cheese.

Peanut Butter Squares

1 cube margarine
1 c. corn syrup
1 c. sugar
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
6-7 c. corn flakes

Melt margarine in a saucepan. Add corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until peanut butter is dissolved. Pour over corn flakes. Stir until corn flakes are well coated. Press into 9x13 inch buttered pan. For thicker squares, use 9x9 inch pan. Cool and cut into squares.

Country White Bread

Anytime is the right time for a comforting slice of homemade bread. These loaves are especially nice since the crust stays so tender.


2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry
yeast (each packet contains 2 1/4 tsp.)
2 cups warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water with a little of the sugar. Add rest of sugar, salt, eggs, oil and 3 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Divide in half and shape into loaves. Place in two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.

I use my Bosch and double the recipe to make 4 loaves. This is the best bread recipe I have found so far that I can actually make! We love it!!! It also goes great with homemade strawberry freezer jam:)

Additional note: For a fairly quick loaf of homemade bread, divide recipe in half and add all ingredients in bread machine adding flour and dry yeast last and then put it on the dough cycle (about 1 hour). Remove the dough, shape it into a loaf and put it in a greased bread pan. Let rise in a warm place until it comes to just above the top of the pan (30-45 min.) and then bake in a 350° oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. In less than 2 hours and with very little work or clean-up you have a fresh, delicious loaf of home-made bread!