Cold Canning by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, Reviewed

I’ve been a huge fan of Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough’s cookbooks for years, their well-worn pages lining my kitchen shelves, but Cold Canning has stolen my heart as their best work yet. As someone who’s never tuned into their QVC stardom, I know them for their foolproof recipes, and this book delivers in spades. It’s completely changed how I preserve summer’s bounty, swapping the sweaty, steamy nightmare of hot-water canning for a brilliant cold canning method that’s easy, safe, and perfect for my small-batch experiments. No more standing over a boiling pot while my air conditioner begs for mercy—this book has been a lifesaver during those humid summer days.

With a whopping 425 recipes, Cold Canning is a treasure trove of creativity. Number two son, Andrew and I nearly came to blows flipping through it, arguing over who needed it more (we ended up buying a second copy to keep the peace). I expected the usual jams and pickles, but this book goes so much further—think coffee jelly (a dream for this coffee lover), bacon jam that made my jaw drop, and parsley-pumpkin seed chutney that I never knew I needed. There’s kimchi and sauerkraut for my son, homemade harissa and gochujang for me, and even quirky gems like orange brandy syrup that I’m tempted to hoard instead of gifting. 

What I love most is how approachable it all feels. The instructions are clear, the photos are gorgeous, and the recipes use less sugar and salt, so I feel good about what I’m making. Sure, the authors suggest sterilizing jars in hot water (not the dishwasher), but it’s a small price to pay for the vibrant flavors you get to tuck away in your fridge or freezer for months—sometimes years! From medjool date steak sauce to onion-bourbon jam that turned my head so rapidly as to have mimicked a scene from "The Exorcist," every recipe sparks joy and inspiration.This book isn’t just a cookbook; it’s a love letter to preserving food in a way that’s fun, frugal, and totally doable. Whether you’re a canning newbie or a seasoned pro, this book will have you dreaming up new ways to savor summer all year long. I can’t recommend it enough—it’s staying front and center in my kitchen, and I’m already planning jars to (maybe) share as gifts.

You can order your copy here.

 Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Publishers by way of Melissa’s Produce in exchange for my honest review.

 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Bing Cherry Amaretto Preserves

Cherry season is one of my favorite times of the year because I absolutely LOVE cherries! I’d received a nice big bag of Bing cherries, courtesy of Melissa's Produce and, seriously, could have eaten the entire thing until I made myself sick, that's how much I love them. Instead, I started thinking about my grandmother, remembering her climbing up into the cherry tree that grew in her backyard, alongside an apple and peach. When I think back on those moments, it makes me realize, now more than it ever did back then, just how truly amazing she was. Not quite five feet tall, and rounder than she should have been, she would climb up into the cherry tree -- wearing a housedress no less -- gathering cherries in her apron to use in making preserves. Aha! I thought to myself, that's what I'll do; I'll make some cherry preserves.

My grandmother used to use an equal amount of fruit to sugar, but these cherries are so sweet that I thought that would be too much, so I cut back on the sugar. I also got to thinking about how cherries are often paired with almond flavoring, so in addition to a little hint of almond flavoring I decided to add a bigger hint of Amaretto Liqueur. Boy, is this good.

 Bing Cherry Amaretto Preserves

5 cups stemmed and pitted Bing cherries (I used Melissa's)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 box of Sure Gel fruit pectin
4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup Amaretto

If you plan on storing your preserves, have your jars warm and sterilized, and your boiling water canner ready.

Into a 6- to 8-quart saucepan, place cherries, lemon juice, and pectin. Stir together to combine. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil, i.e., a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred, over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar and almond extract. Return to a full rolling boil, and boil exactly 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in Amaretto. Skim off any foam that may have gathered on top with a metal spoon.

Ladle into prepared jars, wipe rims and threads, place lids on and screw them down tightly. If you plan on processing the preserves, be sure to do so for at least 10 minutes.

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Peach Melba Preserves

I am on a real jam and jelly making tear these days with a week of chutney just ahead, taking advantage of as much fresh produce as I can.  The kitchen is hot, but it smells heavenly, and the piles of produce are proving to be quite an inspiration.  In looking at what I had, and thinking about what I like, I decided to combine peaches and raspberries just to see if I could make a preserve that tasted half as good as the Peach Melba dessert that I love.  Success!  This is so delicious that, honestly, who needs toast?  Just grab a spoon and dig in.  To be further decadent, I warmed some of it and poured it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Heaven!  So I urge you to give this a try.  You’ll have a delicious spread for breakfast and a tasty dessert sauce, readily at hand, that will have people coming back for more.

Peach Melba Preserves

3 cups diced, peeled peaches (I used Melissa's)

2 6-oz. packages fresh raspberries

3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons key lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a Dutch oven and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until sugar is melted and mixture has come to a low boil, about 10 minutes.  Bring to a full, rolling boil, and boil for 15 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and skim off any existing foam.  Carefully ladle into hot, sterilized half-pint jars, leaving ¼” headspace.  Ruin a knife around the side to release any air bubbles.  Wipe rims and adjust lids; process for 15 minutes in a boiling water canner.

 For more delicious jam and jelly recipes, I highly recommend this book:

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Try a New Recipe Tuesday

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Sweets for a Saturday

Tutorial Tips & Tidbits

Making Homemade Orange Marmalade

I fell hopelessly in love with orange marmalade during a trip to Scotland in the same way that I fell in love with clotted cream while living in Oxford.  I knew from the first bite of each that they would be permanent fixtures in my kitchen, and I had hoped to one day learn to duplicate these British delicacies.

Inasmuch as I thoroughly enjoy, and am a prolific prolific maker of relishes and chutney, the skill involved in successfully making jams and jellies has always eluded me.  So when I saw this can of Seville oranges at Williams-Sonoma and read the very simple instructions, I knew I had to give it a try.  I was very pleased with the results.  This can makes an excellent and very fresh tasting marmalade reminiscent of what I had each morning in Edinburgh, and the process is astoundingly easy.  A can of Seville oranges, sugar, and a "knob" of butter are all it takes to get wonderful results.

I encourage anyone who loves marmalade the way that I do, but who has always been a bit hesitant to make it, to buy yourself a can of these Seville oranges and plunge right in.  I knew I had it right when my brother-in-law said he disliked this as much as he disliked the Keiller Dundee brand from Scotland.  Success!

Another resolution to check off of my list!  

Of course we had to have the marmalade for breakfast this morning, so I made a batch of Mile High Biscuits in order to try it out. DELICIOUS!

MILE HIGH BISCUITS

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cups milk

Whisk together first five ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and milk; mix until dough forms a ball. Do NOT overmix. Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead 10-12 times, only. Roll out to 3/4 inch, cut with a 1-1/2" round floured biscuit cutter. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and bake at 475 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden.