Hot Pepper Jelly

For the last month or so I have been getting the "warnings" from the family, that "we are almost out of Mama's Special Hot Sauce".

Mama's Special Hot Sauce aka Hot Pepper Jelly is a favourite around our dinner table and comes out of the fridge almost every night.

Whipped up a new batch last night.  Unlike in previous years, I used powered pectin as I only had one package of the liquid left and couldn't find more at the store.

Here is the recipe:

• 8 cups finely chopped red bell peppers (I run them through the food processor
• 20 hot red jalapeno peppers, chopped (used peppers from Ean's crop grown with love in pots on our front porch)
• 2 cups vinegar
• 2 packages certo pectin
• 10 cups (yikes) sugar

Sterilize canning jars and lids.  Mix peppers, hot peppers, and vinegar in large saucepan on high heat. Add pectin.  Stir constantly and bring to a full boil. Add sugar and bring to boil again.  Boil for 1 minute, keep stirring. Remove from heat and laddle into hot jars.  Close jars and wait for the pop when the vaccum builds.

Yummy!

Pizza

 I was asked to divulge my pizza dough recipe.  It is embarrassingly easy:

Ingredients:

Dough

• 500g flour
• 1tsp salt
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tblsp olive oil
• 400-500ml warm water

Toppings

• olive oil
• minced garlic (lots and lots if you like)
• sliced fresh tomatoes or sliced soaked dried tomatoes
• sliced red peppers or roasted hot chilies
• fresh garden herbs when available (thyme, oregano, sage, chives work well) or dried herbs
• cheese (feta is nice, but you can switch it up and use cheddar, mozerella or parmesan

Mix all dough ingredients well.  Slowly add the warm water to form a kneadable dough.  Cover and let rise for 1h.  divide into three equal portions.  Roll out thin on cookie sheets or pizza stones.
Drizzle with olive oil, garlic and herb.  Then cover with tomatoes and peppers.  Add cheese.

Bake at 175C - 200C for 20-25 minutes.