Canning Beans

Well, my first attempt at cooking beans in my new pressure cooker was a qualified success. The cooker seemed to work fine, but I put too much in it and it overflowed. But in the meantime I have discovered that I can use my big pressure canner to can beans. I did two batches, one black beans and the other cannellini beans. I can do nine jars at a time. So for now, this is how I'll do my beans. It's a lot more trouble to do, but I now have beans that I can use immediately when I need them.

Bad News, Good News

After receiving the replacement gasket and safety valve for my new (old) pressure cooker, I attempted to remove the old gasket. No luck. It was like concrete, and there was no way it would come out cleanly.  Back to square one. My investment of $16 was for naught, to be sent to the thrift.

But yesterday, while we were walking around in Silverton, we went into a 'resale and collectibles' shop. And there I found an older Presto pressure cooker for $15.  I made sure that the gasket could be removed, and it could. So I brought it home and then discovered that the replacement gasket that I had ordered would fit my new one!

So, voila! Now I have a working pressure cooker.

Pressure Cooker

We've just returned from our annual winter trip to Tucson. I haven't posted anything since before we left. But now, I'm back.

Twice a year Far Horizons has patio sales in the park. When the spring one was coming up, I decided there were two things I'd look for. The first was a small wooden cutting board to use for cheese. I thought this might be an easy one. I found a perfect one for 25 cents. But the second thing I've wanted is a pressure cooker to use for cooking beans. I figured this one was not likely.  Well, Bob and Claire Rogers had not one but two old pressure cookers. The one I bought (for $1!) is from the 40's. It needs a new gasket, and I thought I should probably replace the rubber vent plug as well. I found a place online that sells replacement parts for all models, so I ordered them.  For $16 total, including shipping. I don't have them yet, but I'm hoping they will work.  Stay tuned.

I'm also going to start keeping track of our purchases again. So I'll call this Month Five.