Monday, December 21, 2009

Giving the perfect gift, 4/4



#4: Bake the jam right in! Here's a fresh recipe perfect for giving at the holidays. California seasonal favorites are kiwi (pictured above) and marmalade.

Jam Squares

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup spelt flour
1⁄2 cup sucanat (unrefined sugar)
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup applesauce
1⁄4 cup butter, room temp
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup good jam

Mix together dry ingredients. Add applesauce, butter, and vanilla. Press half into a 9x9 pan lined with parchment paper, Spread jam in a thin layer. Press remaining mixture onto a separate piece of parchment and carefully transfer on top of jam. Bake at 350° for about 25 minutes, until brown. Let cool completely and cut into squares. Store in freezer.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Giving the perfect gift, 3/4



#3: Eight nights of applesauce
- Trust me, you haven't had a latke until you've had one topped with homemade applesauce.

As much as I'd love for you to procure some By the Spoonful 100% applesauce, it's so easy to make yourself!

Ask your friendly local apple purveyor to recommend a mix of sweet apples for sauce. (The batch pictured above features seasonal favorites King Davids and Christmas Grannies!) Roughly chop them, peels, cores and all. Simmer with a little water until soft. Pass through a food mill.

Now you're ready to invite your friends over and fry up those latkes! We like the Cook's Illustrated recipe and cast iron.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Giving the perfect gift, 2/4



#2 Monthly Jam Shares

When one jar just isn't enough! Give a selection of flavors to sample each month of the new year. Comes with a handmade gift card to open at the holidays.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Giving the perfect gift, 1/4



Now, it probably comes as no surprise that at this time of year I'm more interested in putting up persimmons, pomegranates, and citrus than hitting the malls. I'm barely exaggerating when I say I haven't bought a present since I started preserving, and no one has complained yet. You too can have a holiday season 100% free of crowds, carols, and commercialism!

How does By the Spoonful make the perfect gift? This week I'll be counting the ways.

#1: Individual jars of jam. Preserves are a classic holiday gift for a reason. Who doesn't love a taste of summer on a cold winter morning?

Stay tuned for 3 more ways.