Tuesday, June 22, 2010

We're Jammin'!


Since I bought "The Bread Baker’s Apprentice" by Peter Reinhardt, baking bread has become a hobby and way of actively participating in sustaining myself. From golden dinner rolls at Christmas dinner to a traditional Challah at Easter to every day whole wheat bread, Reinhardt’s book has become my bible of baking. My freezer is seldom found without a leftover loaf of bread that can be whipped out for a quick snack or simply dinner accompaniment.

When I looked in the refrigerator today, I realized that I have accumulated a dizzying array of jams to go with my baked goods. Here’s how it stacks up so far:

- Prickly Pear Jam from when my family visited Arizona and the Grand Canyon
- Strawberry Guava Jam from when my family visited Hawaii
- Apricot Pineapple Jam, which a family friend shared from their bumper crop of apricots last year
- Lemon Curd, leftover from our Mother’s Day Brunch in May - wonderful served with lemon poppyseed bread
-Sour Cherry Conserve, slightly tart and imported from Italy. It was on sale at the Nugget Market and I was curious to see what it would taste like. Me likey!
- Homemade strawberry jam that Paul and I made on Monday


Since we do have PB&J fairly often (especially on Meatless Mondays), this surplus of fruity condiments does not bother me in the slightest. In fact, I am even thinking of making more when plum season comes around. I’ve never had plum jam before, and I think nothing makes a better gift for friends than a jar of homemade jam!

3 comments:

  1. I noticed you mentioned meatless Mondays. How is that going? I've tried it myself, but the wife isn't too crazy about it, maybe it's what I'm cooking:) ...any tips?

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  2. Hahaha, you crack me up. What have you been making so far? Paul was skeptical at first, but most of the time he doesn't even notice the lack of meat anymore. The most successful dishes for us have been black bean soup, veggie pizzas, veggie stir fries, and pastas. When those flavors are amazing, you don't even miss the meat! At least for one day. For lunch, PB&J or roasted red pepper/soft cheese/leafy green sandwiches and vegetable soup. Good luck!

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  3. Haha! That's a lot of spread! I got the Church's Raspberry jam and we go through that like they're fruit snacks.

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!