Food preserving for dummies? I hope so.

Last weekend I made a trip to the store for some canning supplies. I bought some jars, lids, a funnel, a jar lifter, some Sure Jell and this book.

I really liked it because I haven't seen a good, up-to-date book on canning. I am sure they are out there but I haven't seen them. I really like all the color and the step-by-step directions -- with photos. I will admit, I am a visual person and I like to "see" something and not just have directions to follow, or figure out. For something like preserving food it is really important to know what you are doing because I want to feed my family healthy, canned food free from bacteria.

It is also filled with recipes for everything from tomato juice to fruit butters to savory spreads and relishes. I particularly like the section on jams and jellies.

It goes a little farther than just canning. There is a section on freezing,  dehydrating and also a trouble-shooting section that I may look at closely before I start to help prevent common mistakes.

All in all, I think I got my money's worth. I think I will get $5.95 worth of information. I also think it will give me some good ideas.

Of course it is a book produced by a company that makes and sells canning jars, so I know it will recommend  its products, but I think I am fine with that. I think it will make my canning more productive.