Being a Hard Core Berry Picker...Take 2

     About this time last year I wrote about how to pick berries in the country...usually along the roadside or in the fields. Well, again this year I was out picking the coveted black raspberries and found myself in the rain with bugs all around. By the time I was done picking I was drenched (despite a rain jacket and rubber boots)...good thing it was warm. I swore to myself if anyone a wanted a #%@*&# black raspberry pie they would pay dearly for it.

     Then I decided I would not make any pies out of these berries!! I would make jam and share it with my family and friends. My good friend, Les Foor shared a case of jelly jars like the one in the picture-so he will be the first to get a jar. Hope you don't mind the seeds, Les!!

     The bucket in the picture has been used by myself, my Mom and my grandparents for MANY years to pick berries in. I can remember using it probably 45 years ago. It's handy because it's deep and has a bale to put your arm through so you can pick with two hands.

     I hope the purple stains wear off my hands before I go pick again in a couple days. The taste of that yummy jam sure is worth it though!!

Crumb Topping for Pies, Muffins, Coffeecakes....you name it!

     I don't know about you, but I think baked goods need to be visually appealing. Yes, they have to taste good but presentation is also important!  Something I use to "top off" my blueberry muffins, coffeecakes or crumb top pies  is my "Crumb Topping." It's simple to make and adds so much to whatever you put it on.
     Here's Sue's Crumb Topping recipe and "how-to":
     In a food processor, process 1 stick COLD butter ( if it's not cold it will be clumpy and mushy), 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, pinch of salt. Process until tiny pea size. You can add 1/4 tsp cinnamon if you want, especially with anything with apples. Add a heaping tablespoon on each muffin (I then add some more fruit on top) or cover your coffeecake or pie with the crumbs. Bake using your recipe's instructions.
     I keep extra crumb topping in the freezer for quick use.
     Check out the picture of the muffin at the top of my blog for the crumb topping...yum! They are crowd favorites at Market 65 as well as my Farmers' Markets.
     Happy Baking!!

Baking a LOT!!

     As you can see by the above picture, Sue's Kitchen is busy baking fresh pies and cookies for customers at the Westerville and Granville Farmers' Markets. I can't begin to add up the many dozens of cookies my oven produces each week and I can only guess there's about 40 pies each week. Then there's muffins, brownies, Biker bars, cinnamon rolls and whatever else I decide sounds good.

      Strawberry season is about over, as well as rhubarb....But the cherries are coming on and soon we will have Lodi apples and peaches....and berries!!

      Remember, I can hold back a pie or two if you call or e-mail me ahead of time. The pies go fast!!  See you at the market!

Farmers' Markets are here!

     It's time to come get your fresh produce, flowers, plants, salsa, jams, spices, and of course, BAKED GOODS, at your local Farmers' Market. The above picture is of my Mom Effie, my cousin Vicki and myself. It is our tradition to spend quality family time enjoying lunch after the Granville Market each Saturday. A group of us vendors usually try to have dinner after the Westerville market on Wednesday evenings, as time permits. It's a good way to unwind and spend time together.
       Come out this week to Sue's Kitchen for fresh baked Strawberry-Rhubarb pie, plain Rhubarb Pie, Cookie Snack Stack Packs and other goodies!!!

   Remember, I specialize in pies (mini, medium 7" and family 9"), & cookies and will be willing to make about anything for you that can be baked :) Most of my recipes are handed down from the women in my family-which means they are tried and true!
     Check my facebook page (Sue's Kitchen) as well as the Granville Farmers' Market and Westerville Farmers' Market pages weekly for who's coming, what they're bringing and what special things are happening.


See you at the markets!
Sue