Tepache- Fermented Pineapple Drink- Step by Step

 

Hello there my friend!

Do you like pineapple? Fresh is the best!

This recipe is a traditional Mexican drink.

Lightly fermented, a little fizzy, sweet and tangy

like kombucha.

Tepache

You need:

1 whole ripe Pineapple

2 cinnamon sticks

5-6 whole cloves

1 cup brown sugar

1 half gallon jar 

4 days !

Made with the part of the pineapple you would

usually through away.

Tepache is so delicious,

  refreshing and easy to make.

Perfect for summer!

Slightly soft to the touch, center leaf pulls out easy-

It's ripe and ready to eat.

Gently wash the outside of the pineapple.

 (Don't worry about the prickly parts it will be stained later.)

Cut as you would normally.

Deep enough to remove the eyes with 

some fruit attached is fine.

Separate the fruit pile from the skin pile.

Set aside the fruit to eat !

I use a half gallon Mason Jar.

Start to pack your jar with the pineapple skin scraps.

Traditionally we would add 

(2) cinnamon sticks

I like to add 5-6 whole cloves

optional : 2 Star Anise

If you like the taste-

It is not necessary for the fermentation.

(I had some on hand so I added it this time.)

Sugar is necessary for the fermentation.

'piloncillo' Brown sugar cone is traditional-

I use Brown sugar and that's fine.

3/4 to 1 cup Brown sugar

Pour into jar,

fill with filtered water,

Use  long knife or metal spoon to stir.

All the sugar will dissolve easily.

Try to press down the skins to cover with water.

Day:1

Cover with a clean breathable cloth and rubber band, 

set aside on the kitchen counter out of direct sunlight.

Day 2 :

Remove cover-

there will be white foam and maybe some

bubbles forming, stir and press down any fruit.

The fermentation has already begun.

Re-cover jar.

Day 3:

More foam, more bubbles,

Stir it up and cover.

Day 4:

Ready to strain.

The cinnamon has turned the foam brown.

 This may happen to you,

it's not mold.

I just transfer the Tepache to another clean jar-

I use a small sieve and stain in the sink in case I spill.

That was easy-

Beautiful golden color-

Use a lid now and refrigerate

Make sure your jar and lid are made for fermentation.

Pressure is minimal at this point and no need to 'burp' the lid.

If you don't fill small jars, no need to worry about exploding bottles

in the refrigerator.

All that's left goes in the compost bin.

You can serve right away on the 4th day!

Serve over ice.

The pineapple core is high in an enzyme

called bromelain. It helps with digestion and immunity.

It helps with inflammation.

A probiotic filled with vitamin C and Magnesium.

All that and delicious too.

Enjoy

xo Lisa S

Make your own Bees Wax Wraps

Hi friends!

Have you ever thought about making Bees Wax Wraps ?

These reusable food wraps are a great alternative to plastic wrap.

To make your own Bees Wax Wraps-

look through your fabric scraps.

You will want to use 100% cotton fabric,

approximately 1/2 yard total for this recipe

          If you don't have and scraps  

     of fabric, the Dollar Tree has some of the cutest prints!

Wash and dry your fabric-

Iron if you like- and decide what size 

you would like to make your wraps.

Cut your circles or squares.

I decided to cut my fabric first and then

cut the edges with my pinking shears.

The picking shears are optional

 but it keeps the edges from fraying.

Most people cut the wraps after they are waxed

but I did not want to ruin my scissors.

We will see if this works.

I cut a few squares not knowing how many I would

be able to wax with this recipe.

I did not want to make a huge mess so I used a disposable

aluminum baking pan from the Dollar Tree

I have my own version of a double broiler.

It has worked well for candles and salves.

The saucepan is filled half way with water and the

 stainless steel bowl

sits on top.

Recipe for wraps :

Bees Wax Pellets   1/2 cup

 (I used a bar and measured in ounces)

First let the wax melt on low heat, then add the oil,

then add the Pine Rosen last.

Pine Rosen  3 TBSP.

(This helps the wraps to keep there shape)

Some say this ingredient is optional.

Note: Pine is a common allergen, and needs to be disclosed to 

anyone you may share your wraps with.

Jojoba Oil  2 tsp.

( The oil keeps the wraps pliable)

It is food safe and will not go rancid 

A brush that will be only used for bees wax

This was so messy and fast moving, I was unable 

to take any pictures of  the next steps.

I laid my squares in the tray and 'painted the cloth with the wax.

It cooled fast, I then lifted the edge and pulled up the pieces and 

let them dry on a cardboard box.

This recipe was used to complete:

3 - 7'' squares

2- 10'' squares

1- 15'' square

I was happy with the way the wraps turned out.

This fabric was from a vintage table cloth.

It was my favorite.

Wraps can last for years.

Easy to clean with a little soap and water.

Hang to dry.

If the wraps leave a sticky residue on your hands it can be removed

with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.

Note:

 Do NOT use in the microwave and be careful near a hot stove!

I prefer to use them over a bowl, but food can be wrapped up

like a small gift.

Wouldn't this be a nice way to present your

homemade sourdough bread to a friend?

Have a wonderful week!

XO Lisa S

Tea Cup Bird Feeder and Gift Tag

 

Hi there,

Let's spend some time in the garden.

I wanted  to make a little bird feeder.

You have seen these Teacup feeders many times before...I know....

I want to fill it a little differently.

We will start with a tea cup or mug-

This is a great way to use a chipped or mismatched cup.

It's easy to find tea cups here and there.

I used GOOP to adhere the cup to the saucer.

I purchased a package of Wild Bird Suet at Dollar Tree.

I plan to fill my tea cup and see what happens next.

The ingredients are corn, rendered beef suet, oats,

roasted peanuts and soy oil.

 

It's soft and moist like chunky peanut butter or brown sugar.

You can make your own with coconut oil and bird seed.

Birds love bird seed but I find it very messy !

I'm going to try the suet, I want to see if it lasts a little longer

than the seed.

I broke it up in a bowl, then repacked it into the tea cup.

Looked around the garden and found a stick.

Press the stick into lower base of cup for a perch.

I used heavy duty wire to hang the feeder.

Here is the feeder hanging in the tree.

Another option would be ...

just the teacup without a saucer.

I used a scrap of chain to hang in my lemon tree.

I was able to fill 2 tea cups (3/4cup full ) with 1 -10 oz. package of suet.

Here are some teacups to print for gift tags !

 

Oh my goodness!

 I wanted to post before Mother's day and I was waiting to get

the perfect picture of birds visiting my tea cup feeder

and life got busy... but happy busy.

Have a blessed week!

xo Lisa S

EASTER 'Putz' House

Hello my friend,

I finally brought out some SPRING decor.

I can't believe Easter is next Sunday.

Yesterday I made this small 'Putz' house.

I have collected Christmas houses for years, I thought it would

 be easy to make an Easter themed town.

I had a bag of wooden bits and pieces from an old Easter Tree.

It was a popular item in the 1980's.

Someone else had already cut off the hanging strings.

 

I made up a pattern from one of my Christmas houses.

I gathered some of the pieces I wanted to use.

I like to save scraps of thin cardboard and cellophane

from packaging just for such a project.

I cut a base and a tiny fence.

I used corrugated paper for a roof.

I painted the pieces, before gluing them down.

I glued the house to the base, put a bit of moss

around the base.

I  glued the cellophane inside the windows.

I also glued a figure inside one of the windows.

I then added the roof

After the figures were glued in place, I let this dry.

With a small brush, I painted mod Podge over areas I wanted to

add glitter.

This would be optional of course!

The glitter looks like sugar!

I took it outside for a better look.

Can you see the bunny in the window ?

Thank you for the visit!

xo Lisa S

Update: Now they have a Church.

 Ready for Easter Sunday!

Another neighbor moved in next door!

I'm done!