Katherine's Kitchen

27/10/2026

Low sugar jam.... I do mine with a little honey or maple syrup and chia seeds.
Do any of you just do less sugar please?
If so what ratio do you use please?
Does it thicken up and is it shelf stable please?
I have had a follower message and ask me....as I don't do it that way I'm not sure.
She doesn't want to use chia seeds.

27/10/2026

Nothing like working in the rain....finally got the beans planted a few days ago. With the rain over night and today I took the opportunity to spread the pea straw so it gets nice and wet and hopefully stay in place and not get blown away....
Finally got the the Loganberry frame up... got these 2 gates free off Market Place.
Got the waratah's super cheap off marketplace for $2 each..pity I could only get 5 at the time but that's better than not getting any....... thankyou Sean and Miriam for your help putting it in.
So exciting its another peice of the puzzle in place.
Still sooooooo much I want to get done... getting there slowly.
As they say Rome wasn't built in a day.

25/10/2026

I've been using GoodLife.Eco for years now and telling everyone how good they are.
Some people say they are expensive. They are cheaper than a lot of other brands out there.
They are an investment in your preserving future....I've been using mine for 4 years now and I'll get many more years of use out of them.
These have been designed by a New Zealander for pressure canning......their seals are the only ones I will ever use for pressure canning. If they dont seal its usually my fault due to over filling the jar siphoning or screwing it on to tight so it buckles.
These are my jars of choice for me personally and for the workshops I run.
Anyway....watch the video its not just me that thinks so....

WHICH PRESERVING JAR IS ACTUALLY BEST — AND DOES THE BIGGEST NAME A...

25/10/2026

I should have been weeding 😂😂😂 opps...o well.
I have sooooooo many reels saved of recipes and garden things I want to do.
This is one of them....although why is it that they never seem to turn out the same as the ones on the reels? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
They are saying its going to be a super hot summer.... so I'm just trying to future proof my trees and help keep the moisture in.
One tree down only around 11 to go 😂😂😂
I'm just trying to do something a little fancy even if it's a little chaotic. I'll weave more wee branches in as I cut them to build it up a little.
It maynot look like the reels....but its perfectly imperfect just like me 😊

24/10/2026

Its been a slow day round my place today.
Its dam hot and I decided to bake.... what the heck is wrong with me😂😂😂😂
O well into the garden a little later when its cooler.... I have my bean seeds soaking...

23/10/2026

Gone pending pick up.

Anyone want a tea trolly...FREE.....it needs a good clean so the dust is also free.
Pickup please in Aranui Christchurch.
I would really like it gone over the next few days please.

23/10/2026

Oooooo look who I got to meet.... I even got recognized by 2 followers.
Had a lovely chat showed her my page got a chocolate and a gift card.
And yes she's just as lovely and friendly as on TV.

22/10/2026

I'm not really a summer girl..... I hate the heat....at least in winter you can warm up and cook on the fire. I love cooking on my fire. ......but I do love the garden and salad season.
Last night I was given a bottle of mint sauce but not the classic vinger one...this one is creamy. It had been unopened in this person's fridge for a few years...
Anyway.....roll on today and its potatoe salad time.... made with my dry packed pressure canned potatoes so I didn't even have to peel and cook cause the hard work was already done 🥔 tinned peas cause its just easier..... wee onions from the garden...eggs and sauce.... its delicious 😋
Its now in the fridge chilling.

I love salads but feel im in a bit of a rutt making the same old same old every year.

So PLEASE share your favorite salad....load the recipe in the comments.
Let's share and inspire myself and others to try something new.

21/10/2026

I have someone wanting to do a beginner pressure canning in person course this weekend in Aranui Christchurch.
Would anyone like to join.... $150 I supply everything.... will do a meat and vegetables and show you steam canning.
She also wants to learn how to make jam so thought id throw that in as well.... I'll even feed you and you get to take a few jars of yumminess home with you too.
Its just a 1 day workshop....9.30 till 4.30ish.
Not sure what day as this lady is completely happy to work around whoever wants come...so you pick the day.
Just message me if your keen.

21/10/2026

Hot off the press...just received this from a lady....so if your in Papamoa go get some.
The answer to the last question about being recalled into smaller jars.... yes they can. You just need to water bath them....or you can use your pressure canner as a steam canner and do it that way.

THIS IS FOR THURSDAY 22 OCT ONLY

Hi Katherine, these are on sale at Packnsave Papamoa today. Wondered if you wanted to add a post to your page about them.
The guy i know from inventory sourced 2000x 3kg cans to sell, short date to Feb 2027, and likely the only packnsave in the country with the deal. Would be a great deal for locals with big families over Xmas.
Do you think these could be re-canned into smaller jars?