Spiced Plum Jam

Spiced plum jam is packed full of the flavors of the holiday. It's an excellent topping for biscuits or toast.

4 lbs plums
2 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup spiced rum
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 or 4 half pint jam jars

Blanch the plums by cutting an x through the skin on the bottom of each plum. Immerse in boiling water for 45 seconds then remove and immerse in ice water for 4 or 5 minutes. When you remove the plums from the ice water you should be able to slide your finger under the skin, and easily peel it away.

Sterilize your jam jars.
Pit and chop the plums.
Place chopped plums in a thick botttomed cooking pot, and add the sugar and rum. Boil for 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Add the spices. Reduce heat to simmer and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the jam thickens and is ready to set. (Testing jam for set)

Spoon jam into hot jars, wipe down the rims and seal with the lid.
Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.

Go-To Cheap Meal - Veggied-up Spaghetti

Someone asked us what our go-to cheap meals were, given the current state of affairs that the Hollow. Well, over the years and the vet bills we've got a lot of experience eating on the cheap, and one of our go-to meals is a veggie heavy version of your typical spaghetti.

You need:
1/2 eggplant, chopped into cubes (freeze the other half for later)
1 zucchini - quartered and sliced
5 oz frozen onion- thawed
5 oz frozen green pepper - thawed
6 oz frozen okra- thawed
1 lb ground italian sausage

1 can Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce (your choice of flavor).
1 tbsp olive oil
8 oz spaghetti noodles - cooked
Frozen Garlic bread (8 count slices)

Fry the first 5 ingredients lightly in olive oil until almost cooked. Add the sausage. Cook until the sausage has browned. Add the spaghetti sauce.

Mix with the spaghetti noodles in a serving bowl.
Top with cheese if desired.
Toast 2 of the garlic bread slices for each person each meal.  

The total cost for this somewhat healthy meal (which will feed 2 adults for 4 meals depending on portion size) is about $11.24 total, or $2.81 a meal. Add some steamed broccoli on the side for about $2.50 and you can definitely stretch this out to 4 meals for 2 without hitting $4.00 a meal.

Eggplant, Zucchini and Mushroom Pasta

Looking for a vegetable based meal that's hearty, filling and easy to make? Then this is your recipe!

You will need:

1/2 eggplant - cubed and brined
1 zucchini - quartered and sliced
1 onion - chopped fine
1 package of sliced mushrooms - cleaned
1 can of crushed tomatoes
1 can of tomato sauce
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
Garlic, salt and pepper to taste
Italian blend cheese (optional)

To brine your eggplant - In a large bowl with 1/2 cup hot water and 1 tablespoon salt. Stir until the salt is dissolved.  Fill with 2 quarts of cold water. Cube your eggplant and submerge in the salt water. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour then drain and pat the eggplant dry with paper towels.

In a skillet,  heat your olive oil, bay leaves, and dried spices together for 1 minute. Add the eggplant, zucchini, onion, and mushrooms. Cook until the zucchini is soft and the onions are beginning to caramelize. Add the wine, the can of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add garlic to taste. Simmer very slowly for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve over your choice of pasta with a dusting of Italian blend cheese (if desired).