Pepper rings

I would love to have your recipe for pepper rings. I made some the other day and they tasted delicious but were kinda mushy. Not sure if I did anything wrong or if I had a bad recipe.

Cindy
Florence, Alabama

This recipe is very easy and works for me. I just slice and pack the rings in hot jars, then pour boiling vinegar mixed with about 1 sliced garlic clove per cup over the rings, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. I immediately place the hot lids on and screw down the rings firmly tight. They are processed in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes. If you live at an altitude over 1,000 feet, consult your canning book for directions on increasing your processing time to suit your altitude, if necessary. Peppers, like cucumbers, get soft if you boil them or process them longer than necessary. — Jackie

Canning chicken recipe

I make a dish my family loves and I am wondering if I could can it? It is made up of chicken breast, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and canned mushrooms, and garlic along with some spices. You are supposed to thicken it with cornstarch, but couldn’t I do that after I open a jar of it and heat it? After it is cooked you pour it over rice and serve with a wedge of lime. It really is good and a family favorite.

Cindy Baugh
Dandridge, Tennessee

Yes, you can home can your recipe with no troubles, providing that you can it for the length of time required for your chicken (you don’t say if it’s bone-in or boneless chicken; they require different times). Yes, thicken your sauce after you open the jars. It does sound good; I’ll make a Jackie-copy version tonight! — Jackie

Red ants

I have baby geese that are three weeks old, they live in the house now but I take them out in the yard. One of my geese was bit by red ants; I took the ants off and washed his foot. Can I use spray that’s for keeping bugs off children on my geese (just their feet)? I did try asking my vet first she says treat the ground, this year the ants are really bad and I don’t want to poison all my animals. I couldn’t find the answer in your veterinary book. My geese will have to move out of the house soon.

Sherry
Lancaster, California

Usually when geese get larger, ants won’t bother them; they eat them! But if they still seem to be biting your goslings, you can use any non-toxic insect repellent on their legs. I wouldn’t use a DEET product. — Jackie