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What’s the difference between jam, jelly, marmalade, and preserves?

Is there any more simply satisfying breakfast than toast with jam? Or wait, was that jelly? Or was it preserves? Maybe marmalade? Fruit spreads are all deliciously similar, but they do have definite distinctions. Whether you smother your fresh baguette with preserves from the farmers market or smear your peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Smuckers, it’s important to know the difference because they each have their own texture and sugar content. What they have in common According to the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University, jam, jelly, preserves, and marmalades are all made up of the same basic four ingredients: sweeteners (such as can or beet sugar, corn syrup, or honey); naturally occurring acid, pectin (which can be swapped or even eliminated depending on the desired outcome); and of course, fruit. So now that we know what’s in them, what makes them each different?…

Book Review: Canning goes Back to Basics for beginners

This time of year always seems to turn in to a game of pass the produce. Your neighbor has too many tomatoes. Your friend gets extra cucumbers in her CSA. And every week, your co-worker tries to pawn off a basket of his peppers. There are worse problems to have. This year, instead of saying no — or continuing to pass the goods down the line to other friends — pick up a new skill for this plethora of produce, and learn to can. Canning is the next natural extension of our increasing national awareness of eating fresh, healthy and local. Grandma knew canning could feed her family healthy meals all year long, and what’s old usually becomes new again. Canning — much like knitting (can you believe it?) — is back on the scene. But between tools, temperatures and safety measures, the age-old practice can leave first-timers at a loss (and wishing Grandma was still…

Chocolate raspberry thumbprints to love

Raspberry and chocolate. Need I say more? This classic combo is easy to love on Valentine’s Day or anytime you want to treat yourself — or someone else! — to something special. I wanted a quick cookie that could ship easily to those I love overseas and across country. With protection of a cookie tin and a few layers of wax paper to separate, these did the job beautifully — thanks for the idea Saving Room for Dessert.  Chocolate raspberry thumbprints Ingredients 2 cups flour, leveled 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp salt 1 cup sugar 2 sticks butter (1 cup), room temperature 1 egg yolk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup raspberry jam, stirred (seeded or unseeded) Optional: 2 tbsp milk Optional: crushed pistachios, Directions In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside. In a stand mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar…