| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Nov 07 2011 : 11:33:03 AM
Cooking the chickens in the crockpot today, to be cooled overnight and deboned tomorrow for canning with a pressure canner.
This is the first time I have EVER canned meat, so any farmgirl advice would be welcome!
You can read about (and see) the chickens cooking on my blog. If you've never done chicken this way - it is amazing! You can find more recipes for crockpot chicken in Stephanie O'Dea's book Make It Fast, Cook It Slow.
Have a great Monday afternoon!
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog:http://suburbanprairiehomemaker.blogspot.com/
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Apr 01 2012 : 06:09:39 AM
So Hubby picked up a can of chicken at the store the other day. One day this week, we are going to have a "smell-off" to see if what's in the jars is same as/worse than chicken in the can. Then we will know for sure...
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 teenagers, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
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| queenmushroom |
Posted - Mar 27 2012 : 1:32:57 PM
Another good canning book is the Ball Canning book.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
| nubidane |
Posted - Mar 25 2012 : 12:30:15 PM
Ann
Another test for a good seal is to pick up the jar by just the lid. If the seal stands up to the weight of the jar & its contents, it should be OK.
I just can't imagine that your meat would have rotted overnight. & the smell of my canned chicken is a bit offputting when opened, but loses that in the cooking.
One other recommendation, & I have canned for many years & have many books, but the Jackie Clay canning book is the best one there is.
This gal lives off grid & does IT ALL
Her book has recipes for everything (along with telling you how to raise it , kill it, gut it , skin it, & THEN can it)
I literally do not even look at my other books anymore.
Anyway, good luck & I hope you do not get too discouraged.
I love to freeze things too, but in the case of a power outage, which we have so many of, I know my canned meat is OK, & not thawing down the drain. |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Mar 25 2012 : 07:30:13 AM
Wow, Lorena! What a great story! I'm surprised the jars made it all that way safe and sound...
I may pick up a can of chicken at the store, and compare it with the smell of one of the remaining jars (trash day is Tuesday), based on Lisa's suggestion. If the remaining jars smell the same, then I know they are safe. Certainly a can of chicken at the store is way cheaper than throwing out the whole batch! I think going forward that I'll know what a safe smell is. I was just really surprised that this old nose that can't smell much anymore got knocked back a good 2 feet, with a very loud "Whoa!"
Anyway, thanks to all my sisters for all your encouragement.
If that's the case, I'll try some raw chicken breasts.
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 teenagers, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
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| queenmushroom |
Posted - Mar 25 2012 : 07:14:32 AM
Sorry to hear about the failure. It hurts me, too, even with veggies. I've never canned meat myself. I guess that's why even our grandmothers started going to groc. stores because of the failures they never told us about. It hurts even more during hard times. Personally, I'd rather freeze meat anyway (that is if I had a deep freeze). Quick story to share: back in the 60's when my dad and uncles were in Viet Nam, my grandfather shot a deer. My grandmother and he butchered it. She canned it and sent it to my dad and uncles over seas. Talk about a well travelled deer. From Maine to Viet Nam. Pretty cool, ya think?
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Mar 23 2012 : 05:05:11 AM
Lisa, this was no canned meat smell. It was definitely a rotten smell. It knocked me back when I opened the jar, and I have hardly any sense of smell.
Emily, thanks for your encouragement.
I think this is going to be one of those things I'm going to have to let go. I just can't afford to keep trying if it only is going to end in disaster.
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 teenagers, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
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| alterationsbyemily |
Posted - Mar 22 2012 : 7:58:49 PM
Ann, I understand your feelings. I have only been able to can beef stew once last year, but this year I cannot get anything to pressure can. Spaghetti sauce, potatoes, even BBQ sauce have failed. All of the jars have tons of food under the rim and the oils leak out of the jars and make a mess inside the canner. It is very dicouraging at times, but have faith, you will get it.
---
Farmgirl #2951
No longer renting, offical farmgirl.
Check out my new blog at http://featheredhattrading.blogspot.com/
And my new Etsy listings http://www.etsy.com/shop/alterationsbyemily |
| nubidane |
Posted - Mar 22 2012 : 7:57:20 PM
Ann
I can meat all the time & when you smell it, it smells similar to other canned meats (have you smeLled canned chicken from the store?) It does not smell like a freshly baked chicken, but once it is reheatED & incorporated into a recipe, it should be fine.
If it was canned at tHe proper temperature, & the seals were good, it is probably OK.
When I open mine, I sniff it for a rotten smell, & then dump it into whatever I am cooking at the time.
I recently canned some chickens that were about a year old from the freezer & I know we have had at least 5 meals from them so far, including some Asian soup, casseroles etc. & I am still here to type aboput it!
I think your chicken is probably OK, especially if the seal is good, & you canned it at proper temp & time |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Mar 22 2012 : 6:38:32 PM
EPIC FAIL!
Had a jar that fell on the floor, so kept it in the fridge just in case. The seal was still in tact (nice loud pop when I opened it), but the meat inside smelled absolutely horrible. We dumped it outside where the local scavengers could get it. I told my husband to just take the other jars and put them out in the trash on Tuesday.
I am so frustrated and discouraged tonight (tears). $90 on the canner, $15 for the jars, 5 organic-from-the-farmer chickens, 3 boxes of organic chicken stock. All that time and energy. I have been trouble shooting in my head all evening, and I have no idea what I did wrong. Was is because the jars were cooling before I could get them in the canner? Should I have been more of a risk taker and just gone with raw (instead of cooked) meat? I could only get my pressure to sit at 13 pounds instead of the 11 (or the pressure would fall to less than 10). Was it really too much pressure?
I just feel so stupid. It's boiling water - how hard can it be?!
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 teenagers, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
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| magnoliakathy |
Posted - Mar 21 2012 : 08:29:01 AM
I have canned raw turkey legs and thighs, just debone, chop up and put in the canning jar. Processed 90 minutes at 11 pounds. My pressure canner book says not to add any liquid, and the meat generate about a third a jar of broth on its own. Good luck.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Mar 16 2012 : 11:33:58 AM
***UPDATE #3***
Woke up this morning to 12 sealed jars! I think it worked!!!
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 teenagers, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
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| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Mar 15 2012 : 09:50:26 AM
***UPDATE #2***
Chickens in crockpot again, and WAS SMART ENOUGH TO TEST CANNER WITH NEW SEAL! YAY! Guess what, she works and she works like a dream! So, now I'm going to pack my jars, get them going, and see what happens next.
Hubby asked me this morning how long these are good for - can anyone answer him?
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 teenagers, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
and follow me on Facebook (Suburban Prairie Homemaker), Twitter (@sphomemaker), and Pinterest (Suburban Prairie Homemaker)
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| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 06:35:23 AM
***UPDATE***
So here's what went wrong - I have a bad seal on my canner. YAY - it wasn't me screwing it up! The nice lady at Presto is sending me a new seal. So, the chicken in jars is now going to be cooked chicken in the freezer, at least for a little while. Next set of chickens are going to be canned for sure!
Thanks for all your insight ladies!
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
Check out my blog: http://suburbanprairiehomemaker.blogspot.com
and follow me on Facebook (Suburban Prairie Homemaker) and Twitter (sphomemaker)
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| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Nov 13 2011 : 7:56:13 PM
So, I got everything all set to go today. I did NOT do a test run on the canner, which I should have (don't yell at me - I've been yelling at myself all afternoon), but decided to give this a try with just a few pints of the chicken with broth. I cleaned out my canner, I put everything together according to the book, I got it to boil and bubble vigorously, and after 1/2 hour that (pick your expletive) guage didn't budge. Not one bit. Now, I realize that I'm not always the most patient person, and I know all about boiling water and pots, but surely SOMETHING should have happened after 1/2 hour. Fortunately, everything can go in the freezer, so I'm not out anything. Also, this was a Valentine's Day present that I haven't had time to try out (and of course warranty is 30 days). Guess who my first phone call will be tomorrow?!
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog:http://suburbanprairiehomemaker.blogspot.com/
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
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| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Nov 12 2011 : 06:55:20 AM
Elizabeth- Please make sure you are using a pressure canner, not a pressure cooker. |
| Megan |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 5:29:51 PM
i used to can hambuger, it makes a nice chip or cracker spread, almost like spam but tastes better
www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net |
| momdrinkstea |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 3:51:21 PM
Love the links, y'all! Keep 'em coming!
Using a pressure cooker for the first time CAN be scary! :)
http://www.stackedstonefarm.blogspot.com/
Stacked Stone Farm
-momdrinkstea
Stacked Stone Farm
feel free to follow my blog: www.stackedstonefarm.blogspot.com |
| Okie Farm Girl |
Posted - Nov 09 2011 : 10:32:20 AM
Awhile back I posted how to can chicken at http://www.oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog/?p=3195 and also did a post on how to cut up a chicken at http://www.oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog/?p=3144 Also, if you go to the "Blog" button, it will take you to the welcome page with an alphabetical index of posts on everything from canning sausage to bacon to ham, etc. I love canned meats for all kinds of stuff.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
| emsmommy5 |
Posted - Nov 09 2011 : 10:02:28 AM
I have done beef in BBQ sauce for quick sandwiches. Sliced or cubed with garlic and spices. Meatballs in spaghetti sauce. Regular ground beef. Stew Meat. Sloppy joes. Some with gravy.
I am planning the next big batch with onions and peppers for fajitas and other "dump it in dinners."
I am going to can some bacon the next time it comes on a bulk sale.
Do what you love, love what you do. |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Nov 09 2011 : 09:21:17 AM
I also have used roast to chunk up and can beef stew. There are so many possibilities with canned meat. |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Nov 09 2011 : 07:45:43 AM
Ok, now I'm really hungry! Better get some dinner going in the crockpot!
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog:http://suburbanprairiehomemaker.blogspot.com/
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
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| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Nov 09 2011 : 07:30:11 AM
We get part of a beef each year. So far I have only canned up hamburger, but plan to can up a few roast in the next month or so. Don't forget about pork! I buy whole pork loins, cut them into cubes and can it up. Just recently canned pork meatballs and pork in BBQ sauce too. I am planning on picking up a turkey or two if I can find a really good deal and canning them up too. Oh yeah with the hamburger I have also made and canned chili and spaghetti sauce. |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Nov 09 2011 : 07:03:09 AM
Would love to hear about beef, too! We could change our order with our meat farmers to get part of a steer, so this info would be very useful. Thanks for so many good ideas, sisters!
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog:http://suburbanprairiehomemaker.blogspot.com/
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
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| Hoosiermom |
Posted - Nov 08 2011 : 11:26:01 PM
I can chicken, but I see a few on here talking about beef too. What cuts to you use & what do you use it for after you have canned it. |
| emsmommy5 |
Posted - Nov 08 2011 : 10:06:47 PM
I put up some where in the neighborhood of 100 pounds of canned chicken a couple of weeks ago. I made chicken mix (make a mix recipe), chicken and veges, teriyaki chicken, BBQ chicken, and bottles of plain chicken. I do cook mine a little before bottling it because the texture is nicer. You can stuff it in raw and that works too.
I love having bottled chicken on hand. Heat and eat!
I am waiting for beef to go on sale and that will be the next project....
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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