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It's my day for cooking adventures. Hey [personal profile] eichin!

Sunday, October 10th, 2004 04:36 pm
While the aforementioned chicken marinade was in the oven, I read [livejournal.com profile] kitiara's post about canning. She mentioned Mountain Dew jelly.

Yes folks, it's made from Mountain Dew.

This I had to try. As soon as the chicken was safely out of the oven I ran to the grocery store for the things I didn't have: Mountain Dew, sugar in case I didn't have enough, pectin, and jelly jars.

No, I've never made any kind of jelly before, nor canned anything at all, in my life. Funny you should ask. I spent some time stuck on the idea that I needed three really big pots. [livejournal.com profile] kitiara graciously told me I could do a lot of this in shifts.

Step 1: Sterilize the jars by boiling, then keep them hot until ready to use. I decided that my kitchen sink filled with almost-boiling water would make a fairly good heatmass. Finally all the jars were sitting in hot water, along with their lids, and the rims with the screw-threads were sitting on the countertop to dry. No, my countertop is not sterile. Quit asking distracting questions.

Step 2: Make the GOOOOOO. I had no idea Mountain Dew could dissolve more than its own volume of granulated sugar. I am now deeply disturbed by this knowledge.

Step 3: Into the jars! Yes, the jars that are sitting in water so hot I don't want to stick my hand in. I must have messed up somewhere along the line. I barely got five jars of jelly, while I think [livejournal.com profile] kitiara got twelve. I tasted the drippings. Lemony!

Step 4: Boil the jars again. I think this propitiates the gods of lid-sealing. I bowed to the pot a few times just to be sure.

Step 5: Use telekinesis to get the jars out of the boiling water and onto a towel to cool. I cheated and used oven gloves with plastic grocery bags around them.

So now I have pretty yellow jelly - caffeinated jelly, no less! - and a whole bunch of extra Mountain Dew I get to drink.
Sunday, October 10th, 2004 10:33 pm (UTC)
Mmm, Blenheim! That name rings a bell. I've had theirs - very good. Thanks for the reminder! 8-)
Monday, October 11th, 2004 12:29 pm (UTC)
Reed's also makes a fabulous Chocolate Ginger Ice cream. It's available at the Whole Foods.
Thursday, October 14th, 2004 02:18 pm (UTC)
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh
Thursday, October 14th, 2004 01:41 pm (UTC)
Blenheim ginger ale makes my nose run.

It comes in both mild and strong options.

(Note: I like strong.)
Thursday, October 14th, 2004 01:44 pm (UTC)
My nose doesn't react strongly to ginger, though even a wimpy hot and sour soup will have me reaching for a tissue. Hmm, I don't know which option I've had. At the scooter party, which version of Blenheim's was sitting around? I had that. It was yyyyyummy.