Tomato Jam – So Good You Won’t Believe It

If you have never tried Tomato Jam, you are in for a treat.

I have been reading about this jam and when I saw the recipe in the New York Times, I knew I had to make it. I didn’t like their recipe – too many conflicting spices. I tried several iterations and now I think I have the perfect recipe based on the Times recipe.  Click to read more about Chloe’s Killer Tomato Jam

Senator Bob Martin Ag Center: A Gem in Williamston, NC has something for everyone
Click to learn about our fabulous Equestrian Center

We try to keep up with all the tech changes – it keeps us busy. I was on the waiting list for Starlink for 15 months, so when they wrote and said, “Yea or Nay?” I said “YES!” So far, so good.

Geeks on Tour Jim, Contemplating Starlink Hookup at Big Mill B&B

For those of you asking, “What is Starlink?” it is Elon Musk’s Satellite Internet Service SpaceX. Click to see how fun the Starlink is on the Farm

When I worked at our local hospital, I had a wonderful nurse friend, Nurse Nancy, who lived on the Pamlico River. Whenever we had a hurricane, she came to stay with me – and she made her fabulous chili. There was a secret ingredient – Tequila.

Print Recipe

Best Hurricane Chili

This comforting chili seems to please everyone. It has the right amount of kick and flavor.

Prep Time45 minutes mins

Cook Time2 hours hrs

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Servings: 10

Author: Chloe Tuttle

Equipment

• 1 large cooking pot

Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds ground beef
• 1 large green pepper chopped into pieces
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 28-ounce cans tomatoes
• 2 10-ounce Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies medium heat
• 3 15.5-ounce cans dark red kidney beans drained
• 1 15.5-ounce can cannellini beans drained
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1-1 1/2 Tablespoon chili pepper or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 2-3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup Tequila
• 1 8.5-ounce can corn optional
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded for garnish
• sour cream garnish, optional
• diced onion garnish, optional

Instructions

• Cook ground beef, bell pepper and onion in a large pot. Pour off fat and drippings into a Pyrex dish. I usually put the grease in refrigerator until the grease rises to the top. Skim off fat and add the remaining drippings to the chili pot.
• Add the two cans of whole tomatoes with juice. Cut whole tomatoes in half with kitchen scissors. Add the Rotel diced tomatoes with green peppers and juice.
• Add the beans.
• Add the salt, chili pepper, ground peppers, lime juice, and tequila.
• Cook for an hour on fairly low temperature.
• To serve, garnish with corn, cheese, sour cream and diced onion. Bon appetit!

Click to read about how this chili recipe came to be

Hook Hand is an unusual name for a brewery or pub. The name Hook Hand is in reference to East Carolina University and their mascot – a pirate – and some pirates have Hooks for Hands.  Well, that is what Jeremy, the owner told me.

Click to learn about this interesting Watering Hole

Tasty, Tart, and Pretty Plum Jelly is perfect for your breakfast table. Whether enjoyed on a lazy Sunday morning or as an accompaniment to a sophisticated afternoon tea, this plum jelly is a true culinary delight.

Chloe’s Plum Jelly is the Best

Growing up, we had a beautiful red plum tree.  And Plum Jelly is my absolute favorite jelly. Experience the essence of juicy, tangy plums captured in every jar of this  pretty plum jelly.

This Plum Jelly is absolutely the best of ALL the jellies. It has a sweet-tart taste that can’t be faked. Try to get ripe plums – there are many varieties. I like the red plums because that is what we had. This jelly recipe is a keeper.

Chloe’s Luscious Plum Jelly is the BEST

Print Recipe

Plum Jelly

Sweet, tart jelly from red plums is the best ever.

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time2 hours hrs

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Condiments

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Red Plum Jelly

Servings: 8 half-pints

Calories: 529kcal

Author: Chloe Tuttle

Equipment

• 1 Canner pot

Ingredients

• 8 lbs ripe plums (you will need 4 Cups of plum juice)
• 5 ½ cups sugar
• 3 ounces liquid Certo (1 pouch)
• 8-10 half-pint canning jars
• cheesecloth

Instructions

• Wash plums and put whole plums in a large stainless steel cooking pot. Mash the plums with a spatula or potato masher to extract some of the juice. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often.

  Line a large colander with cheesecloth and set over a large bowl. Pour plum mixture into the colander and set aside to cool. After it has cooled, put in refrigerator overnight. DO NOT squeeze or mash the plums, just allow to drip. Hopefully, you will have 4 cups of plum juice.

  Add 5 ½ cups sugar and the 4 cups plum juice to a pot and cook over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

  After mixture is boiling, raise heat and bring to a rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.

  Add Certo and bring heat back up to a rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.  Stir and cook the jelly for 1 minute…. or a bit longer if you want.

  Put into sterilized jars and put on lids and rings. Process in hot water bath for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 137g | Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 3mg | Sugar: 137g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.1mg

All Good Southern Cooks Have a Sweet Pickle Relish Recipe

Southerners Love Our Sweet Pickle Relish

We don’t buy the relish, we make it ourselves from old family recipes. Each family has its own recipe; some add peppers and onions. I like the simple one.  Often we just chop up last year’s sweet cucumber pickles. You just can’t make southern chicken salad without Sweet Pickle Relish. This recipe is the best!

Big Mill Bed & Breakfast is now accepting payment in cryptocurrency for all services offered

It is not so easy to teach an old dog new tricks – but maybe you can. We studied cryptocurrency and we are ready! You can now pay your bill at Big Mill B&B with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency can’t be denied; it is already here and we want to make things convenient for our guests.

We think Cryptocurrency is fascinating and we welcome your Bitcoin! To read about Cryptocurrecy at Big Mill B&B click here.

Every farm and definitely every farm girl needs an old red truck. Somebody must agree because photos of old red trucks are everywhere – on fancy dishes, Christmas decorations, everywhere you look.

A guest Edna Perkinson Painted this Portrait of Old Red Truck

One Christmas I parked my Old Red Truck in front of the Pack House and decorated it with a Christmas tree and wreath with sparkling fairy lights everywhere. It certainly was popular with my guests and anyone who rode by.

When January came, Old Red didn’t want to go back under the shelter. Nephew Monk had to bring his big tractor and drag her out of the yard.

Other folks seem to like old red trucks too:  friends got together and had Old Red sit for a portrait. I love it. I have old red truck dish towels, sheets, dishes, door mats … these things just keep turning up.

Old Red Portrait – a Gift From Friends Painted by J. Roberson

Renowned photo artist, Stacey Haines, took my portrait in Old Red. This special truck has certainly been a topic of artistic merit!

I must tell the truth — when David Tuttle left the farm he told me I could keep that “piece of junk old truck,” so I did. I am determined to keep her running, maybe not on the road, but “farm worthy.” She has caught on fire three times, not really her fault. I think David wants her back!

She has a 1973 body and a 1966 engine (390 C.I.D. S-code). Like me, she can use her age to her advantage – her tags are cheaper. If older is better, Old Red is getting greater!  This truck is a “shade tree mechanics” nirvana. It was under these pecan trees that David Tuttle used a Come-Along to remove Old Red’s original engine and install a Thunderbird engine.

Shade Tree Mechanic David Tuttle

I have replaced the tires ($20 each), water pump, starter, carburetor, ignition key, gas tank and gauge, and other stuff I can’t even remember. I am determined to keep Old Red in the family.

Hopefully, the next time I see you, Old Red will be running!

YES, we are open and we hope you will come and stay at Big Mill B&B Extended Stay.  Come enjoy the benefits of home while away from home for your next traveling job or contract in eastern North Carolina.

Big Mill B&B Extended Stay Lodging. 1607 Big Mill Road, Williamston, NC 27892. Tel. 252-792-8787 cell is 252-799-8787, info@bigmill.com and www.bigmill.com

DISTANCES to Hospitals and Towns from Big Mill B&B in Williamston, NC:

Greenville, NC: Vidant Hospital, ECU School of Medicine – 27 miles (country roads)
Washington, NC: Vidant Hospital, Ridgewood Rehab, River Trace Rehab – 21 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Windsor, NC: Vidant Hospital, Brian Center, Three Rivers Health & Rehab Center – 17 miles (east 4-lane drive)
Windsor, NC: Bertie Rural Health – 20 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Ahoskie, NC: Vidant – 37  miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Tarboro, NC: Vidant Edgecomb Hospital, Parkwood Village Retirement Center, – 33 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Plymouth, NC: Domtar Paper – 30 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Edenton, NC: Vidant Chowan County – 37 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
and North Carolina’s Outer Banks!!! are 85 miles