One of the joys of being someone who cans and preserves regularly is that I’m nearly always prepared when the need arises for a gift. During December’s gift giving season, I keep a box of summer jams and butters near the front door, ready to be distributed. I build couple-specific baskets for bridal showers and weddings.
Last summer, when I was scurrying around on book tour, I even kept a couple extra jars in my car at all times, for those moments when verbal thank yous just weren’t enough and I wanted to offer a physical representation of my appreciation.
Sometimes, even I run out of preserves good for giving (there are a number of trial batches in recipe development that, while good enough for home use, aren’t great for bestowing upon others). Other times, I just find myself out of fresh ideas. That’s when I turn to books and blogs authored by other creative folk, hoping that their various perspectives will gyrate me free from my regularly-trod paths.
The latest book to cross my transom that I’m turning to for kitchen inspiration is Lucy Baker’s Edible DIY. Initially based on the work she’s done on Serious Eats, this book is filled with candies, infused spirits, crackers, pickles, and sweet spreads that will send you hopping for the kitchen.
Recipes are arranged by type. You’ll find nibbly bits like crackers, spiced nuts, and popcorn in the Crunchy section. Boozy should be plenty self-explanatory (and goodness, do I want to try the Spiced Pear Gin pictured below). Sweet includes biscotti, marshmallows, truffles, and toffee.
The last two sections the most preserve-heavy of the book. On the savory side, there’s a strong assortment of Spicy Condiments, Pickles, and Snacks (flavored salts! pickled fennel! ginger sriracha!). Rounding out the book are the Jams, Jellies, and Other Preserves. Lucy has made tweaks to a series of reliable favorites (blueberry port jam and strawberry balsamic thyme jam, for example) which are all worthy of canning pot consideration. One recipe that I’m planning on making soon is the one for Cranberry-Champagne Jam with Crystallized Ginger (I still have a couple bags of cranberries stashed away).
One of the things I like most about this book is that it’s accessible. Not a single recipe goes on for pages (or days), making it approachable for all levels of canners, candy makers, and cracker bakers. As someone who rarely has the patience for recipes that require multiple days of fussing, I’m appreciative. That said, if you’re an expert baker/canner/sugarcrafter who is looking for a book to push your skillset to a new level, this one is probably not for you.
Just cut out a recipe for Caramelized Onion Sourdough Biscuits. Waiting for the right week-night to make these with dinner.
Sourdough baguettes! I’ve gotten my rustic sourdough bread down, now it’s time to conquer the king of breads.
I’m hoping to work on perfecting some more vegan versions of baked goods. I’m finding them a little tricky to keep consistent so I’ll enjoy experimenting.
Homemade crackers!!!! Can’t wait to try them!
There’s so many things, but right now the top of my list is making my own bread.
We are in the process of making the perfect pizza. yummy experiments!
The recipe I wanted to try in 2013 was your grapefruit jam- and I just made it last week! Delicious! Thank you.
Cheese and sausage. Love both, and the hubby is up for the adventure with me. We’ll be starting soon.
Crackers! Loving my new Excalibur Dehydrater! That book sounds great-very diverse!
Homemade yoghurt!
I’ve been making candy for a while, now, and I am determined to master tempering chocolate so I can make dipped honeycomb candy and dipped nougats/torrone. I’m getting closer every time, but it’s still not perfect!
Laundry soap, crackers, and greek yogurt are on my list!
To use my new . Pressure scanner. I will try beans first.
That cookbook looks fantastic! Thanks for offering it up. The big recipe on my list to try right now is your grapefruit jam:
http://www.foodinjars.com/2012/03/grapefruit-jam
Hoping to find some time this weekend!
Graham crackers or marmalade
homemade pasta!!
I can’t wait to make barbecue sauce that is FODMAP-friendly!
I would like to make some cordials and give them away
Looks like a wonderful book, my list of to try recipes this year is very long!! Specifically right now I have started my own sourdough starter and I am on a mission to start making our family’s bread from scratch!!
Preserved lemons. My former roommate left me some and I love the things; haven’t made them myself yet though.
ginger sriracha
This is going to be the year I finally recreate the rosemary corncakes I had at La Brea Bakery!
I printed off a recipe from Red Star Yeast for homemade English muffins. Hope to try those this weekend. Perfect for jam and butter placement.
I want to make filled donut holes 🙂
I think I want to make Milk Jam or sometimes it is called milk carmel…I probably will make it from whole milk and not goat’s milk since I have no dairy goats ! 🙂
There are several things. One is limoncello. Another is to be more adventuresome is the combinations of fruit put together for jams and butters.
I’m thinking about trying to make lemon curd. I’ve never done it before and I’ve heard it’s easy.
Oh man, those maple syrup caramels sound delicious! My dad is obsessed with maple-anything so I would love to make him a batch for Father’s Day 🙂
Oh sounds fun! I’ve been scouring your blog for all things citrus lately, and am considering the candied citrus peel recipes… Not sure I’m brave enough tho!
I want to make preserved lemons. I’ve never heard of them until I saw your post. I found a perfect storage jar at Ikea last weekend and I’m making them this week. I live in Denver so it’s hard to get my hands on fresh citrus, but I’m going to try it with grocery store lemons and hope for the best.
I think this year, my one recipe to try would be some kind of marmalade! I’ve never tried it before, and so many people in my family love it.
This year, sourdough bread!
This is the year I conquer jam!
I’d really like to learn to make bibimbap at home, and I hope to find a good recipe for bourbon caramels!
I have many goals for this year- the big ones being homemade yogurt, crackers, laundry soap, and crackers!
I’ve been wanting to make homemade graham crackers.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/graham-crackers-recipe/index.html
I want to make cheese this year!
I make lots of bread, but I’d like to make some that could be used to make good Melba toast. My melbas usually turn out too crumbly.
fruit shrubs!
Fruit syrups. I’ve done jams so far, and realize that while I really enjoy making jam, I don’t really eat that much of it. I feel like syrup might end up being more usable for me. Ideally, I want to make syrup from fruit I’ve foraged (huckleberries or blackberries, perhaps), but I probably won’t say no to summer gluts at the farmer’s market 🙂
There are many recipes that I want to try, but among the strongest are: preserved lemons and canned appli pie filling.
will be making some marmalade for the first time. I am still in a winter mode.
I would love to make homemade mayo
wow what a gorgeous book! i’m planning my garden for next summer, and by extension, what i’ll be canning. can’t wait for spring!
Would like to try to make some pickles, which is what led me to your site in the first place!
next on my list to try to make is a strawberry lemonade jam, aka strawberry lemon marmalade…
Have a few recipes in mind, homemade granola and also crackers come to mind. But lots of canned items too!
There are so many recipes I want to try this year but one thing I want to start making is crackers.
maple syrup caramels are what I would love try. I buy syrup from my favorite vendor at the farmers market and stow some away for the winter months.
There is no reason I have not tried them yet, so this year is when I really will make some homemade crackers!