The Complete Idiot's Guide to Preserving Food [Paperback]

Karen K. Brees (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 7, 2009 | Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide

You can preserve just about everything-from soup to nuts.

Food contamination scandals, the rising cost of food, organic eating, and better nutrition-all these factors contribute to the upsurge in interest in food preservation. While there are many books on canning, freezing, and pickling foods, few are as comprehensive as The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Preserving Food, in which readers learn how easy and beneficial food preservation can be with detailed, step-by-step instructions.

*The sales of Ball(r) jars for preservation have jumped 28% in the past year, indicating a strong increase in interest in preserving food
*The author is a Master Food Preserver with over 40 years of expertise
*Advice on preserving for special needs diets is unique to this book
*Provides instructional photos

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Karen K. Brees, Ph.D., has been preserving food for nearly 40 years. During that time, she has won numerous ribbons at county fairs for her canned fruits, vegetables, preserves, pickles, and dried foods. She has a Ph.D. in Adult Education from the University of Idaho and is a Food Safety Advisor/Master Food Preserver for the University of Idaho Extension Service.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: ALPHA; Original edition (July 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592579167
• ISBN-13: 978-1592579167
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely book for beginning preservers! July 19, 2009

By Cathy R. Payne

Format:Paperback

With the exponential growth of home and community gardens, farmer's markets, and the trend to eat locally and save money, this book could not have arrived at a better time. Reading Karen Brees' step by step instructions is like having your mother, grandmother, or aunt looking over your shoulder and guiding you to make the perfect pickls, jams, tomato sauce, or jerky. She even includes her email address in case you run into a problem! Safety in regard to preparation and storage is emphasized throughout the book. You can rest assured knowing where your food came from and how it was safely processed, with love and attention to detail. Techniques covered include freezing, canning, pickling and fermenting, drying, salting, and root cellaring. Procedures take advantage of modern tools and equipment. Recipes are included. Karen includes plenty of pointers and trouble shooting guides to build your confidence in the kitchen. Highly recommended!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Preserving Food March 31, 2010

By Challis B. Boll

Format:Paperback

I absolutely love many things about my "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Preserving Food". As a I have preserved fruits, vegetables, sauces, meat, and jams for over 15 years, I found the cover picture attractive and enticing. I then liked what I saw in the Contents at a Glance section. I found the headings and subjects underneath easy to follow. The humor of the cartoons added a smile to my work. I also found many answers to some of my canning procedure questions that I had hoped that I had figured out through the years. Such as head space and water to sugar ratio. There is so much more I could cover in my review, but I will let others' have their say. This is a number one beginner and expert Preserving Food book. Buy and enjoy. Ardis Rolland Boll

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A WONDERFUL READING SURPRISE! March 30, 2010

By J. A. Norman VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I'm sure I am not a typical person when it comes to preserving foods. In fact, let me just say right off that I am a true novice in this area. However, I have read other books by the author, Karen Brees, and know her to be an excellent writer so decided I'd see if she could make a book on Preserving Food the least bit interesting.

I began by flipping through the pages, then found myself reading a paragraph or two, then finally, got so interested in the book I couldn't put it down. ME not being able to stop reading a book on this topic? Correct! I learned so much and so fast and the author just walks you through this most helpful guide. I'm a new convert and next on my list, preserving some foods I love!

Joyce Norman
Author (Birmingham, AL)