I finally tried this recipe and I am banging myself upside the head for never even thinking about doing this years and years ago. It was fantastic! I will never, ever buy syrup again in my life!
SYRUP
1 c. White Sugar
1 c. Brown Sugar
1 c. Water
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. of Maple Extract (optional)
Mix all ingredients in a small pot, stir consistently and slowly bring to a boil.
Once it starts to boil, remove the pot from heat immediately otherwise it will boil over.
That’s it! It’s done! It even passed my son’s taste test. It’s great! You can let it cool and put on your waffles, your pancakes or whatever. I stored what was left in the fridge and thus far we’ve been using it for the last two weeks. Also, I did not have the maple extract and made mine without it.
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I have been wanting to be a little more “organic” for many years. I am finally beginning to make a slow transition to healthier foods that I make myself. I want to get away from all the chemically-programmed foods that are sold to us in the grocery stores. Now that I finally made syrup, the sky’s the limit! I want to make my own ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressings….and grow my own food! 2012 is my marker for further adventure in self-sustenance.
Every time I look at the ingredients on a label – any label – I am depressed about all the chemicals and high fructose corn syrup that is in everything. You cannot escape it, unless you are buying strictly organic food, which is very expensive. I think about all the toxins I ingest on a daily basis and that I have fed to my family… not a pleasant thought.
In my kitchen, I grow basil and parsley. I planted tomatoes and onions, but they died off before bearing any fruit. I also did not give them a lot of attention. I’d walk over with my watering can once a week and let them be. I will try again and give it a lot more effort – learn what kind of ph balance their soil needs, what’s the best light and just how much water is enough.
It’s winter where I am, but that won’t stop me from expanding my “kitchen crops.” I feel great whenever I walk past basil and parsley in the grocery store. “Ha ha! I grow my own and don’t need to buy it from you,” I think to myself every time. I’d like to be able to say that about Tomatoes, Broccoli, String Beans and Corn! Yes! Corn! I’ll get there. I promise to bring myself there to those places. Ketchup is next on my list.
I will keep you posted and I will post recipes as I try them — and I will share what I learn about how to grow specific vegetables. It will take me some time, but I am on my way. Feel free to join me and feel free to share what you learn, what you do and how you do it. Feed us!
