Jam time 2017

Making jam in August is always a spur of the moment thing. Yesterday's nectarine jam reminded me why I love nectarines. They make the best jam. They seem to have more natural pectin than peaches so they cook up really fast and the flavor is also more distinct. I think I'm through the jams having made strawberry, peach , blueberry and nectarine.  Now I wait for the good apples and make apple butter. And then cranberries for chutney. 

Glass

My newest edition to my glass collection.
This square butter dish was a great find in my local recycle center. The beaded edge is in perfect condition.  I think it would make a good dish for a honey comb....

Jammin in January

Take one of the coldest days in January, add some fresh cara cara oranges and a couple of  Meyer lemons and make one of the best jams I have ever made. Although it took two days and a lot of boiling, it still was easier than my peach fiascos at a hundred degrees in August. So starts my year in jams and preserves. I have big  ideas for this year and this blog. I sure hope I can continue this year.


Let's hope this is one resolution I can keep!

Recipe for cara cara marmalade ( no pectin)
4-5  cara cara oranges
2 Meyer lemons(if available if not  any fresh lemons)
6 cups water
6 cups sugar

Day 1

Slice fruit very thin and reserve any seeds or extra  peel.  Put the reserve end peels and seeds into a cheesecloth bag,  place fruit juices and water into a large kettle and bring to a full boil. Turn off and Cover and let sit overnight.

Day 2

Bring the mixture to a full boil and boil for an hour to reduce some of the liquid.  Add the sugar and boil until you reach 220 on a candy thermometer or until it thickens. Pour into jars and process for ten minutes. This makes about 8 jars of jam.

About time to begin again....

.L

Especially since I have had a very  busy late summer and early fall in the kitchen.   It started with the peaches and nectarines.

They turned into this wonderful jam.

Then came the tomato season...

These are in my freezer along with an abundance of bread.

Happy New Year

Easy oatmeal bread

1/2 cup old fashioned oats processed*

3cups bread flour

1 cup water

1 egg

1/4 tsp salt

2Tbs butter

2 Tbs milk powder**

2 Tbs brown sugar

2 tsp instant yeast

Blend together water, egg and salt.  Add flour, oats, sugar, butter, milk powder and yeast. Mix very well ten minutes is not too long.  In greased bowl let dough rise until doubled.  Shape into one loaf and let rise again( approx 30 min.) bake at 400 degrees for 10 min. And reduce to 350 for 20 minutes or until top is very brown and hollow sounding when tapped.

*using blender or food processer process oats until smooth like flour

**I use buttermilk powder but any dry milk works well.

Syrup or Jam?

The new peaches were so exciting that I undercooked the first batch and kept on processing. Well this has led to a whole new product for me to incorporate into my fall cooking...Peach Syrup!

Stay tuned for new recipes to come it is lovely on ice cream we have tried that.

     How to tell jam from syrup?  Just tilt...

The air gap moves with the looser syrup. Oh we'll let's see what new ideas I can do.

Stay tuned!

Peach Season

These wonderful peaches were the inspiration for a weekend of canning and freezing!