Fresh Strawberry Freezer Jam - Should I Use MCP Or SURE JELL ??

My husband brought 8 lbs. of fresh strawberry's home from work.  I was really excited to get a hold of them because I am crazy about the flavor of fresh freezer jams, they keep the freshness going all year, and taste as good as the day you picked them.

I always wondered what the difference was between  MCP and SURE JELL pectin.  They are both made by the same company and both are 100% natural?

SURE JELL calls for sugar, fruit, and pectin. Yield is 5 cups.  MCP calls for sugar, corn (karo) syrup, fruit, lemon juice, and pectin (the karo syrup is supposed to keep the jam from forming crystals while in the freezer).  The MCP has a little less sugar but makes 7 cups per box.

Here is the SURE JELL:

  

Wash all containers and lids in hot soapy water, rinse well, and drain until dry.

The instructions are very simple and easy.  It calls for 2 cups crushed strawberries.

I like to use my pastry blender to crush the fruit.

Then I stir in 4 cups of sugar   and set aside for 10 min. while stirring sugar until dissolved with strawberries.

Boil and stir the pectin with 3/4 cup water for 1 minute.  Then remove it from the heat.

 Pour the hot pectin into the strawberry mixture.  Mixing completely.

I filled 1-16oz, and 3-8oz containers, and put the freezer lids on securely.  Off to a corner for 24 hours before putting them in the freezer.  You can leave a container in the fridge for 3 weeks, or freezer for 1 year.

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Here is the MCP:

The MCP recipe takes a few more steps, but is also pretty quick and easy.

Wash and prepare your freezer containers.

Get your ingredients ready as you can see above.

MCP calls for 3 1/4 cup crushed berries which I crushed with my pastry blender.  Then add 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (I use bottled).  

Now, mix in MCP pectin, stirring until dissolved.  Set aside for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in 1 cup Karo syrup.  Then gradually add 4 1/2 cups sugar, stirring for approximately 3 minutes to dissolve the sugar.  Fill freezer containers to within 1/2" of the top.  Securely attach lids, and let sit on counter for 24 hours before putting in freezer.  You can leave a container in the fridge for 3 weeks, or freezer for 1 year.

I have all sizes as you can see, I like to take a small one to my mother who only eats like a little birdie.  You never know when you will need something to take to the neighbors?

All in all, SURE JELL is the one that you want to use to cut back on the sugar, you can  get the SURE JELL with "No Sugar", or "Less Sugar".  You know what?  I couldn't even taste a difference in the two.

Now you know!

HOW TO REMOVE A TREE STUMP

Put some charcoal briquettes on the top and light them.

Bring the hose over close, in case of emergency.  

Whack it hard with some hammer teeth.

 Light the propane, and let it rip.

Where's the Brats and Hot Dogs?

Keep that fire going, blow harder!

2 hours now, it looks the same to me???

"Blow harder, whoops, that one snuck out the back?"

"Bring me the Crowbar!"

"I did it!  I blew a hole out of the side".

"Move over Boys, I'll show you how it's done".

"You just whack the roots, and pull them out.  That's all there is to it".

 If you google "how to make a hole", you can probably figure it out?

"Don't breath the smoke, you idiot!"

 "Snicker, snicker, he he he".

"Now, that's how you do it!"

Nothing better than some entertainment on a Saturday night.

This is what you call work in progress?  I think they will have to come back at least 4 more times.

HOW ABOUT A MONEY HAT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?

I haven't been the greatest present giver at birthday time, I never know what to give, so I always end up with gift cards.  Gift cards are great, but it sure would be nice if I could personalize the gift a little and let the birthday person know how special they are.  I decided when my oldest grandson had a birthday this week, that I was somehow going to make him something silly out of money.  This is what I came up with:

I tried to make a money hat that resembled a baseball cap, it turned out a little like a train conductors hat.  Oh well!

I had to stitch it with needle and thread, using huge big stitches (trying not to destroy the money).  

Then I decided to make the big stitches in red thread so that he could find the stitches easily and cut them when he decides to use the money.

It was just a little too small because of all of his beautiful thick hair.  But, oh so cute!

Kira and Carter also tried it on.  They were a little blurry so I made them into pencil sketches.

Here's the cute birthday boy with his pumpkin pie birthday cake and his silly little money hat.

I am seriously hoping I don't find myself in prison, I know there are laws on destroying money, hopefully this isn't considered destroying by stitching.  I just thought it would be fun to have to take the stitching apart, that way he won't forget his granny!  Ha,ha.