Corn starch is not as safe to use as the Clear Jel. Years ago, they also used flour as a thickener, but like everything else thats home canned today, some things have to be done differently due to safety issues. The Clear Jel is a modified food starch and is much more stable compared to corn starch. As mentioned previously, you use LESS of the Clear Jel when thickening. The starch can either slightly thicken or go all the way to being gummy, and it all depends on how much you use. When I made my batch of apple pie filling, it contained a lot of extra juice, so I also added some sliced dried apples to the batch. Its now in quart jars, and if I want to use some, and find its too thick, I only need to add a little water or apple juice when filling the pie crust. I only nuke my apples a few minutes in the microwave to 'sweat' them and soften slightly. Then, I add teh starch, spices, and sweetener. Some apple types are better for baking and pies, than others. If the apples are dry and mealy, they are overripe and are not good in pies as they turn to mush. Because I like to can, I chose apple varieties that are well suited for baking and cooking, and grow my own. Last summer was the first big harvest and between the two big trees, they ripened at different times, which is easier to deal with. If they are overcooked, you can turn the mixture to apple butter. Its great on most anything including ice cream, waffles, toast, etc. Even great in making an apple spice cake or muffins.

I also made a lot of jams/jellies with my fresh fruit when I first became so "inspired" - thanks to so many helpful folks here. As time wore on, we found we ate fewer of them than anticipated. So what to do with frozen berries, fruits? Make juice. I use a stainless steel pot (for acids), bringing fruit to boil, using half fruit pulp to half water. When fruit has released juices, line a collendar with cheese cloth and strain juice into a new stainless steel, plastic or ceramic vessel. Cool. Wrap the cheese cloth around the pulp tying into a bag and allow pulp to drain, until the juices are extracted - save the pulp for later. You can hang the bag and catch drips - avoid contact with metal though, use non-reactive containers to hold dripping juices. I bottle the juice into plastic individual water bottle containers (after thorough washing and disinfecting with bleach water - (my GD uses a lot of these small water bottles in her "exercise" routines - and she will drink most of the juice as well). Taste the juices (GD drinks em, she usually tests em for flavor, sweet, etc.) I like added lemon or lime juice here to our liking with less on the sugar. I fill the bottles about 2/3rds full - mainly because they will expand when frozen, and sometimes like to add soda water to the juice after thawing or sometimes add it to teas (I know that sounds funny, but it tastes good on hot summer's day). These fresh-tasting fruit drinks are well-received and I can add more sugar or not - as preferred, rather than accepting the bottled commercial drink status quo. (Ack). I reserve the pulp - either freeze or use immediately for an addition to a sweet bread recipe. I use my zucchini bread recipe - here it is - so versatile: Zucchini Bread: (or Pumpkin, Hubbard Squash, Banana, Apple etc.) 3 C zucchini (or whatever pureed pulp you have) 1-2/3 C sugar (usually less). 2/3 C oil (soybean) 2 tsp vanilla (might try almond?) 4 eggs (beat slightly) 3 C flour (sometimes use a little whole wheat - sub about 1/3 C +- for white flour - other idea - brans,? etc.) 1 tsp salt 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 C nuts (toasted and ground) I used macadamias, almonds, walnuts - depending on whatever is available). 1/2 C raisins (sometimes use my own dried fruit - cut to size - fruit that I pureed and dried - fruit leathers, dried apple, pineapple - whatever I have lots of - and doesn't detract from recipe). Mix first 5 ingredients, then add flours, etc. Don't overbeat (it's not bread you know). Bake 350 degrees, 2 large buttered loaf pans. 50 to 60 minutes or when finger poke springs back when pressed to top of loaf. Cool on rack, run knife around edges before removal. Not too bad! My last effort involved cranberries with toasted - I think either almonds or macadamias - because that was what was in the freezer - and needed "using" at the...

Mariah, here is my recipe for an oil-based pie crust. It is not "flaky" like a crust made with shortening, but it is very good and tasty. You roll it out between wax paper. I think you could add some natural sweetener to the dough for a sweeter pie. I also use it for quiche. I'm including my lowfat quiche recipe too, you and your hubby might like it. It's an easy, relatively painless way to add tofu to your diet. The crust sounds like it might go well with apple pie too! Pie Crust Mix together: 2 cups whole wheat PASTRY flour 2 tsp. salt (or a little less, depending on how strict your diet is) Here's where you could add a TBLSP of natural sugar Put 4 TBLSP COLD water into 1/2 cup of canola oil. Stir until bubbles are uniformly distributed. Pour liquid into flour mixture and stir. Separate into 2 piles and roll out between wax paper. Will hang together once it's rolled out. Low Calorie Quiche (from "Vegetarian Times" magazine) Crust: 1/2 cup rolled oats, ground into flour in a food processor (or oat bran) 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 cup unbleached white flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. baking powder 1/4-1/3 cup canola oil 2 TBLSP lemon juice 1 1/2 tsp. honey 2-3 TBLSP cold water 1-2 tsp. sesame seeds Mix dry ing. together. Drizzle in oil until mixture looks like coarse sand. Add lemon, honey and 2 TBLSP water until the dough forms a ball. Add more water if necessary. Roll out between wax paper. Can sprinkle the pan first with sesame seeds. Prick crust on sides and bottom. Prebake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Note: sesame seeds are undigestible whole. Toast them LIGHTLY in the oven, then grind in the blender or food processor, but not too much or you'll end up with tahini, lol! Store in the fridge and use as a topping for rice dishes, etc. Quiche Filling ing. 1 tsp. water or olive oil 1 cup minced onion 1 tsp. minced garlic (or less!) 3 cups small broccoli florets 1-2 TBLSP water 2 large egg whites 10 oz package soft, silken tofu (Mori Nu brand comes in a cardboard box and you can keep it on the shelf, so you can stock up when you hit a big city with a comprehensive grocery or health food store, but there are other brands out there which might be at your local store too) 1 TBLSP prepared dijon mustard 1 tsp. dried basil or rosemary 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. white pepper 1-2 TBLSP grated parmesean cheese (you can substitute nutritional yeast for the parmesean. Nutritional yeast is NOT brewer's yeast, which is a nutritional supplement. Nutritional yeast is a yellow, flaky powder, is a great cheese substitute for sprinkling. You'll find it in the refrigerator section of a health food store. Store it in your fridge at home.) Heat the oil or water in a skillet over med. heat. Add onion and sautee 3-5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and broccoli and 1-2 TBLSP water. Steam until broccoli is bright green, about 2 min. Drain veggies if watery. Place in the pre-baked crust. Whip egg whites until frothy. Add tofu, spices and parmesean. Blend until smooth. Pour into pie crust. Can garnish with red pepper strips if desired, but not necessary. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 min. Watch the crust edges!

375 until done...browned and bubbling...about 40 to 50 minutes....the bottom crust will likely be soggy....but that's OK. Linda C