Poetry In A Pot Of Tea: jam

Showing posts with label jam. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The Climb From Balmy Spring

Handyman and I went to a local farmer's market recently. One of our finds was this delicious jam made without pectin. We bought the Pucker Up Berry and finished off the jar within days! Here are some of the other goodies we enjoyed seeing there.

fresh herbs

organic berries

I've found that the best way to store berries is to place them inside a wide, flat container lined in paper towels. Give the berries enough room so they are not touching, if possible. If your container is deep enough, you can place a paper towel over the berries and gently put a second layer of berries on top. I finish off with another piece of paper towel, then seal with a lid. The berries should not be crushed or squeezed against one another. Don't rinse them until you're ready to eat them.

gourmet ice cream

I tried the dark chocolate sea salt ice cream bar
and it was delicious!

artisan loaves of bread

The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color.

Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting

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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Pulled Out A Plum

It was gorgeous today! Even though I am limping a bit and my knee is still quite sore I had cabin fever and decided to visit TJMaxx. Among all the other good stuff, I like looking at the food items there. You never know what you might discover. I found some plum jam a couple of months ago and knew right away I would buy it since it is difficult to find it in our local grocery stores. This Clearbrook Farms Damson Plum jam is fantastic! I use it on scones and in recipes. Now, any time I am near a TJMaxx I pop in just to check the shelves for it. It is just the right blend of tart and sweet and is now my favorite jam. When I used up my last jar and could not find another at TJMaxx, I knew I had to take matters into my own hands - internet ordering! Have you tried making Plum Sauce? It's easy and delicious.

The history of damsons traces its origin to the regions of Damascus and Syria. In fact the name ‘damson’ has been inspired from the Latin word ‘prunum damascenum’ meaning ‘plum of Damascus’. Over the years, the Romans brought damsons to England. America was introduced to damsons by English settlers in the era of American Revolution.

I couldn't wait to make a good old fashioned PB&J on toasted cracked wheat sourdough bread with my plum jam when I got home!

While at TJMaxx I also spotted a summery pair of pink chino pants by Tommy Hilfiger. I must be getting more flexible in my clothing choices, because I don't think I have worn pink pants since I was in elementary school! But I liked 'em. Plus, College Girl was with me and gave me the thumbs up. When in doubt I ask her. If it was too 'out there' I'd get the look and she'd tell me. Ha Ha!

What is more mortifying than to feel that you have missed the plum for want of courage to shake the tree. ~ Logan P. Smith

I 'shook the tree' and bought them! I think they'll be great with white sandals or my blue Sperry's. YOLO, right?!

Thinking of everyone touched by tragedy in Massachusetts and Texas: victims, families, fire and police. This has been a heartbreaking week.

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Monday, December 17, 2012

Fruit Jewels and Carols

There are just some cook books that you turn to time and again, and this is one of those books for me! Every recipe I have prepared using Gail Greco's Tea Time at The Inn has been delicious. Whenever I'm planning to have guests, especially for tea, I crack open my dog-eared copy. The book includes 200 recipes and detailed descriptions of the teas held at 41 inns, and Greco offers readers countless ideas for hosting their own parties. When College Girl said she was in the mood to bake yesterday I suggested making Fruit Jewels. So, she rolled up her sleeves and preheated the oven while I got a Christmas c.d. playing.

2 sticks butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 TB lemon juice
2 and 1/4 all purpose flour
1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 each cinnamon and salt

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugar, add yolks and lemon juice. Beat until smooth, then add remaining ingredients and blend into a ball. Roll into balls - 1 TB each and place in mini muffin tins lined with petit fours papers. Make a small dent in the center of each cookie ball and fill with an assortment of jams. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.

When the cookies were cool I set up the living room tea table for an evening teatime by the tree~

We used our Mikasa Holiday Season teacups and a festive striped cozy I made a couple of years ago.

I love the delicate embossed bells and holly adorning the saucer and sides of the cup - it's so textural, and I enjoy running my fingertips across it.

There are two different Partridge In a Pear Tree pillows nestled with a Santa pillow on the sofa. The Santa pillow has a pocket on the back for last minute notes for Ol' St Nick - so we keep it near the tree in anticipation of his visit. :)

I could not decide between raspberry jam and plum jam filling, so I had one of each! I always mix and match dish patterns because I find it charming and less formal, especially at a cozy tea for two.

I filled the lantern with ornaments from the 99 Cents store and some pine cones from our neighbor's tree - inexpensive, but pretty, don't you think? College Girl and I chatted about this and that. Our thoughts turned to a recently acquired cabinet, placed in the dining room for now. It has dentil molding along the top and handsome Marlborough legs.

The front drawer is functioning and it has movable glass shelves. Handyman and I discovered this little beauty at a shop in Old Towne Orange, which has several inviting antique stores. We are trying to decide where to place it and what to display in it. We offered to let College Girl have it for her collectables, but we'll see - I am tempted to use it myself if she hesitates too long!