Monday, August 15, 2011

Jam Session

I have gotten so much done in the last week. Some sewing, cleaning, a weekend away with the love of my life and Jam making! Our pastor has a peach tree and he shared some of the harvest. Bucket after bucket of fuzzy sweetness. We made five kinds of jam and two kinds of peach pie before we hit the bottom of those buckets.  And oh. my.  If I had to choose favorites they would be the Peach Melba with Raspberry, the Orange peach and the Vanilla peach. Since we make our own Greek yogurt in the crock pot, these are the bomb stirred in for a touch of peachy sweetness! We also made Grand Champion jam for those who like a little spice and a rockin' Butterscotch peach made with brown sugar that we tossed in the freezer. 
The Peach Melba with Raspberry recipe and the Butterscotch Peach Jam come from this book, Well Preserved: Third Edition: Small Batch Preserving for the New Cook . It is chock full of small batch recipes for jams and relishes, chutneys and pickles. You can find it in my Amazon store on my sidebar under the cooking category :)
Jam is easy and has lots more uses than just a topping for toast. Try it as a glaze for grilled pork or chicken, add some vinegar for the best sweet and sour sauce ever, or do as we do and add it to plain yogurt.  We have even given some as gifts already and with fancy flavors you can't get in the stores, and a fresh loaf of home made bread it's a special treat for someone you love.
I would love to hear if you can special treats this time of year. What's your favorite recipe to put up for the winter or give as gifts?
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22 comments:

  1. GwendolynKayAugust 15, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    You been busy! Your jams look and sound soooooooooo yummy! I have started eating greek yogurt in the past month, how fabulous that you can make your own.
    Blessings~

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  2. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsAugust 15, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    The look beautiful and sound wonderful! I have never made jam. I might have to check out that book.....
    Hugs
    Penny

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  3. AdrienneAugust 15, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    I love to make jam - but I love to eat it even more! Yours are beautiful. Thanks for sharing recipes. I need to get busy and make some for my sweetheart. And a bit for me!
    ~Adrienne~

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  4. Janet Metzger, ArtistAugust 15, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    Dear Kathy,

    Do you need my address??????

    No really...do you need my address?

    ;->

    Janet xox

    Thanks for sharing these yummy recipes.

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  5. MumzieAugust 15, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Lovely jam! I haven't made jellies or jams for years...perhaps I should try some this year. Great that you have someone who shares those fuzzy jewels with you. Love peaches. Mumzie

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  6. UnknownAugust 15, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    I just stumbled on to your blog and LOVE IT! My 2 favs are strawberry pinapple rhubarb jam and green tomato relish. My mom used to make the relish when I was a kid but lost the recipe.

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  7. ElizabethdAugust 15, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Lovely lovely pots of jam! I always make Crabapple jelly at this time of year.

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  8. UnknownAugust 15, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    This is so you, to make delicious jam and make it look even more gorgeous than on that book cover. I love the sound of Butterscotch Peach.

    Karen

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  9. bjAugust 15, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Ummm these sound fantastic and look even better. :)
    I would love to order that book. We love jams...:)
    I, too, try to make jellies and jams this time of year for gifts around Christmas.

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  10. Elizabeth and Gary August 15, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Oh my! your jam looks so pretty..I love home made jam! I have never made it. I should really try sometime. I can just smell the peach jam now. Jam makes a lovely gift to give and receive.
    Have a sweet day! Elizabeth

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  11. Anita KehnAugust 15, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    The jam recipes sound delish and your jars with the lovely labels are picture perfect. I have never made jam in my life! Another thing on my list to learn. My special canned treat lately has been cakes in a jar. I bake the cake batter in the jar then put the lid on the hot jar so it seals. Not sure how long they will keep but for quite some time I think. I then decorate the jar with a pretty label, ribbon around the ring and a tag. I've given several away lately for gifts. So fun to make!

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  12. PCovi August 15, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    Impressive Kathy and Earl!!!
    So beautiful, like stained glass!
    I know it tastes yummmy. Those flavors really do sound intriguing.

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  13. camp and cottage livingAugust 15, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Kathy
    You seem to get so much done! Your jams look yummy-I love the special tags you've added too.
    I just froze 22-2cup bags of blueberries. For gifts at Christmas I like to make pepper jelly and give it wih crackers, along with a few other goodies.
    Blessings to you-Kimberly

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  14. Maryjane-The Beehive CottageAugust 15, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    This picture is beautiful and your jam looks so yummy! I need to learn to can someday! Oh Kathy I can't imagine cooking my chickens. That is a true blue farmgirl. I can't even eat chicken anymore! My family thinks I'm crazy! LOL! :)

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  15. CindyAugust 15, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Very pretty jars of jam! I like the label on them. We have often given jam as gifts with some home baked bread. Friends and family love it!

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  16. GardenOfDaisiesAugust 15, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Your peach jams looks so beautiful with the light streaming through. I agree that jam makes a really wonderful glaze for meat!

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  17. SparkyAugust 16, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    gosh I wish you were closer....preserves is my one luxury with english scones...oh my you are sweet...x

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  18. trishAugust 16, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Oh yum Kathy. :o) What a *sweet* gift to give those you love. :o) I am heading back outdoors for more crab apples, so that I can share my jelly with others this year. Woody and I have a favorite toffee that we like to make. If you are interested, I would love to share the recipe with you. Just a fair warning, this stuff is addicting! :o)
    Have a wonderful week!!
    love ya! Trish

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  19. aimeeAugust 16, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    i love jam, but there is nothing like fresh from the kitchen jam! enjoy :)
    blessings,
    aimee

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  20. People Who Know Me Would Say:August 17, 2011 at 4:39 AM

    I don't know where you find the time, Kathy! And the photos are so beautiful....I can almost taste the jam!

    I don't cook, not because I don't know how, but because The Source owns the kitchen in my house. He makes the best home made applesauce, amongst other things. He hasn't done jam in a long time.....hmmmm...

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  21. SherryAugust 18, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    You are an incredible woman...you accomplish so much and make it all look so beautiful...even down to the labels on the jams.

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  22. Sweet Cottage DreamsAugust 23, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    oh dear...
    oh dear.....
    i cannot tell you i make jam BUT i will

    J
    A
    M
    on over to your house for a JAR!

    they look beautiful!!!!

    xxoo

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Thank you for taking the time to say hello :)

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