So, I found some strawberries on sale for $.99 a pound last week. These were my thoughts at the time...
"Lisa, you are going to make homemade strawberry jam for your family. We'll have enough for a year so you won't have to buy any at the store. Besides, you're trying to not have anything in the house that has high fructose corn syrup in it so this is definitely a MUST!! You can do it! You and Lizzy can bond while making this together. You can do it!!" (I promise, I am not plagued with multiple personalities - at least I don't think so!)
So I bought 10 pounds!! I found a recipe on www.allrecipes.com (My favorite cook book). The recipe had a ton of great reviews so I thought I would be safe. I followed the directions EXACTLY!!!
Well, three batches later - I have NO jam!! The jar to the left is the first batch. I followed the instructions and turned the jar over once I had sealed the lid. When I turned the jars back over, the "jam" did not return to the bottom of the jar. What I had made was something in the jellybean realm - it just need a hard candy coating.
The jar tilting on its side is to show the syrup like consistency of the second and third batches. Needless to say I have a year's supply of strawberry syrup. (Guess I'll HAVE to keep the freezer stocked with ice cream now.)Oh well, I tried. I'll try again. At least the stuff tastes delicious and yes, Lizzy and I did bond as we stood over the big pot of boiling strawberry liquid stirring our little hearts out. My children will never remember with fondness all of the amazing dinners I made or the great confectionery delights that came out of my kitchen made with love by their amazingly talented mother. I guess, though, if that is what my children needed, Heavenly Father would have sent them somewhere else. :)
At least you had the courage and determination to try! That is an amazing quality! Your kids will always remember you doing your best, trying new things, and striving to be a better person! That is a lot sweeter than strawberry jam!
ReplyDeleteStrawberry Syrup is also great on pancakes, waffles, and crepes. And you can put it on top of white cake and have a gorgeous and delicious treat. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa! I tried to make jam last year, but I only made one batch(with two little cartons of strawberries) and I followed the directions on the pectin box. It turned out great, so I decided to make some orange marmalade and, boy, that was a total disaster! So, I think its just a hit and miss thing lol I love the way u said that heavenly father would have sent them somewhere else! So true lol Sometimes I feel that way!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried to make true jam with the pectin and all that (I heard it was hard!) but my Aunt did teach me a GREAT recipe for strawberry/rubarb jam. You just put one bag of frzn rubarb and two bags of frzn strawberries (you can use fresh ones, just keep to 2:1 ratio), then add 4 cups of sugar, and 2 boxes of ANY red jello. Boil it until it has reduced and blened together. Then pour the mixture into your jars, screw on the lids and toda!!! Easy and VERY yummy :) Just another reciepe if you wanna use it :) :)
ReplyDeleteIf it makes you feel better...I get all of my fresh strawberry jam from Winder dairy!!!
ReplyDeleteI posted a comment on your post about Benny. subject close to my heart!
More times that not my jam turns out using the pectin. You should try it will a small amount of berries. I also think that raspberries are a little less finicky.
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