Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Making Jam & HL Winner


I've been wanting to try my hand at making jam for quite sometime now. Thanks to Hip Chick's Home I found out about Freezer Jam. I picked up a package of Freezer Jam Pectin at Kroger last week so I could give it a try. It takes about 20 minutes to make and no cooking is required! You have to try it if you're like me and have been wanting to make jam but have been intimidated with the whole processing jars in boiling water thing. Sometimes you just have to take baby steps!


I live in Georgia and peaches are cheap cheap cheap right now so that's what I made. Actually I made nectarine/peach jam because I had some nectarines already. Did you know you peel a peach/nectarine like you would a tomato? I didn't! You cut a small x on one end and then you plunge it in boiling water for about 60 seconds, then you plunge it in ice water. Let them cool and start peeling where you made the x. It was very easy!




Then you crush your fruit and follow the directions on the package. Basically you let it sit for a while to "set" and then you've got jam that keeps for 3 weeks in the fridge and the rest you put in the freezer.



I made it last week and I made two jars and some for the freezer. All we had left today was part of one jar and I had to get some out of the freezer! It's that good!



I made some scones and we finished off the other jar! Now for some reason the ones I put directly into the jar are kind of saucy but the ones that I froze and then put in a jar are more jammy. I guess I didn't let it sit long enough or something but it was soooo delicious it didn't matter! It tasted so fresh, just like the fruit!



Isn't this pot and cup cute! I got it at Goodwill last week.



I started collecting monogrammed silverware about a year ago and don't have too many pieces yet. But I like to find ways to use what I have. So the little teaspoon is used today to serve the jam. I like to enjoy my collections!



I'm going to make some more peach jam this weekend but I'm going to use a different recipe. I'll let you know how that comes out.



I gotta tell you it was really delicious with scones hot from the oven and a cup of coffee even if it wasn't perfect! I always say that the fun for me is in the process of trying something new - whether or not it turns out as expected! If it does turn out then great, but if not, I always learn something. Give it a try, it couldn't be easier!

"Usefulness is not impaired by imperfection; you can drink from a chipped cup." ~ Nagel
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The winner of the Hobby Lobby give-a-way is Nadine of Nadine's Nook. Please email me your address and I'll ship your package at the end of the week. Thank you to all who entered!


40 comments:

Linda's Blue Gate said...

h my that does look yummy..... ahhhh the fruits of summer..... I love the way you take the simple things in life and make them a celebration..... using your lovely spoon and the sweet tea pot..... you are an inspiration..
Hugs
Linda

mamaK said...

Boy! Wish I was at your house for breakfast this morning!!! Question--did you have to can them before freezing or just throw them in there? I want to try this but am nervous about the whole canning process....Love the tea pot too! So cute!

Georgia Girl said...

Looks yummy! I made some blackberry jam/preserves yesterday...it is so simple...it was my first time and they turned out so good...now I haven't tasted them yet...oh and by the way I never boil my jars or tops...they used to long ago but today I just run under hot water and then add my stuff...it works just fine and they seal from the heat of the jam....you ought to try!

Nancy Rosalina said...

Oh, I think I could do this... ;) goning to try it one day! Thanks for all the info! Love the spoon! Nancy

Terri Steffes said...

Is it just me or have you been tweaking your blog?

The jam looks lovely. I'll have to see if there is a strawberry freezer jam!

Anonymous said...

Hi Manuela, I'm a frequent visitor to your blog (ahem lurker) This is just such a timely topic that I had to chime in. I've been wanting to try home canning ever since last summer after seeing all the great fresh produce available from local farmers. This year I have a good crop of rhubarb and wanted to try strawberry/rhubarb jam. I was going to be brave and try the traditional method but now I'm rethinking the freezer jam, since I'm a first timer too.
Plus it cuts down on the expense of having to buy all the tools.
I've found lots of recipes and tips at homecanning.com

Really enjoy your blog!
Shirlee

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Congratulations to the winner! The scone and jam looks so good. My daughter said she got some plums and was going to prepare them that way. What a cute teapot and cup.
Glenda

Melissa Miller said...

Congrats to Nadine!
The peach jam looks amazing. Yum!

I'm really enjoying your blog Manuela.
Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration. :)

Scrappy quilter said...

Your jam looks really yummie. I love making jam, however don't eat it. Your teapot is so cute.

Congrats to the winner. enjoy!!

Margaret's Ramblings said...

It doesn't matter how you make your jam, the important test is how it tastes and it sounds as you made a winner. Well done. It's strawberry jam time over here in England.

Margaret

Vee said...

Congrats to Nadine! :D

Your pictures look so yummy today! They look like Grandma's country kitchen...I love them! And the jam is just peaches on the cake. Sounds like my kind of jam-making.

Barb said...

Hi Manuela, oh, does this look good! Save me some...ha.

All your pictures are so refreshing....just makes me want to get up and get moving.

Lovely!!

Barb

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

I used to make freezer strawberry jam, every summer. We like it on pancakes and ice cream, too.

I hadn't thought about making it with peaches. The Calhoun County IL peaches are ready. Maybe I'll make a batch, when we get back from the lake. Yours looks delish!

Lisa said...

Peach-nectarine sounds delicious! Hot biscuits with homemade jam are my favorite breakfast. It really is amazing how easy freezer jam is. Making regular jam is pretty simple too...you just need more supplies (like a large pot with the canning rack and the jar holder).

Last evening my dad and I made plum jam. It was quite good!

Salmagundi said...

The peach jam does look yummy! I've always made freezer jam with strawberries, which is very good, also. Must try the peach in August when they are in season here in Colorado. Have a great weekend. Sally

Kathleen Grace said...

I love freezer jam, stawberries are just coming in here in Michigan and I plan to make some strawberry freezer jam soon:>) That darling little pot at Goodwill? Love it!

Nadine said...

Dear Manuela,

Wow - I can't believe that I won, especially with so many that entered! Thank you so much, I shall be emailing you shortly!

Blessings!
~Nadine

Manuela said...

Oh yum, homemade jam with scones! I adore your monogrammed silverware too! It's beautiful! You sure are lucky, you find some amazing stuff at GW.

Congratulations to the winner!

Eileen said...

My grandmother has always made homemade jam - strawberry, cherry, grape, peach, you name it. Your post has inspired me to get her recipes from her so I can learn now and carry on the tradition.
And as a P.S. -- I am a toile girl myself. :)

Amy {The Red Chair Blog} said...

Manuela, I just discovered your blog yesterday and I have really enjoyed reading through older posts--wonderful information and ideas here! I'm in NC & our garden is exploding with cucumbers right now and tomatoes are right around the corner...I'd prefer peaches though. :)

Amy

GlorV1 said...

Congratulations to Nadine. Great jam and looks delish. I picked apricots from the tree at our other home in San Jose. It will be the last I'll see those apricots since the house closed escrow and the new owners are moving in on the first. Wow. It's hard to let go. Anyway I picked the apricots that were on the tree and I will be making apricot jam. I made plum jam last weekend. Great post as usual Manuela. I love the teapot and cup. Take care.

Victoria said...

My sisters introduced me to freezer jam last year and I made strawberry! Delish! Maybe I'll try peach this year...

Katy said...

I love freezer jam! I bet the peach is sooo good! I made strawberry not too long ago! :) I hope to make grape jelly soon too!

Oh my goodness....I love that teapot and cup....how incredibly cute! Do you have a super nice goodwill?? :)

MimiG said...

Thanks for the jam information - looks delish!
Love the coffee pot - too cute!
MimiG

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Congrats to Nadine!

Manuela I traveled through Georgia today on my way home from Florida...I thought about you and wished we were near to your area so I could hit your thrift stores and such! :)

I love peach jam...but for us I have to wait about a month and a half to get good fresh peaches! Love it! I love to make jam!

Betsy Brock said...

Aww...congrats Nadine!

And I especially love that first picture...that would make a beautiful header on your blog, Manuela! :)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I have a friend that makes strawberry freezer jam. Yours looks so yummy! I wish I was there having coffee, scones and jam with you right now!
Hugs,
Penny

Jenni said...

Hi Manuela,
I think scones with peach/nectarine jelly sounds SO good! My mouth is watering at the thought! :) I am scared to death of the cook-canning, but love to do freezer jam! I think it tastes better, more like the fruit tastes when you eat it, and love how simple it is to do! I love the sweet red on white tea pot/cup set~ it's darling! :)

I hope you are having a good week!

dixymiss said...

YUM!!! Good for you trying something new. I love homemade jam and usually make several batches strawberry, raspberry and blackberry. I've never tried peach/nectarine. It looks delicious ~ especially with those fresh baked scones and darling pot, cup and spoon. What a lovely afternoon treat!

Sue said...

Manuela, You are always the adventuress! See, making jam was easy, wasn't it? I always get such satisfaction knowing that I made yummy jams and jellies with my own tow hands. tastes better,too. another great find in the teapot! hugs, Sue

Anonymous said...

Mmmm. Your jam looks so yummy. Now you made me want to do up some peach jam. I just tried making strawberry jam for the first time last week. Don't be intimidated by the traditional canning method. It was so simple I made 3 batches, 24 1/2 pints!

Susan

Angie said...

You are so smart to make that jam! I am too lazy and impatient!

Sharon said...

Manuela,

Your jam looks wonderful!!! I will be pulling out some Apricot-Pineapple Freezer Jam from our freezer as soon as I get off the computer, you got the taste buds going :)

I have a wonderful Peach Pie recipe. If you would like it let me know :)

That cup & pot set is a SCORE!!! Too cute, I love it!

Have a glorious day Manuela!!!

Congratulations to Nadine :)

~Sharon

marmielu said...

Thanks so much for sharing this. I, too, am one of those who has always wanted to try making jam, but was put off by the fuss. I am definitely going to check out that how-to.
BTW, your cup and pot are cute, but I really like that cake plate that is the red check! Very nice.
Mary Lou

Rosemary said...

Wow,
Who knew? I guess you did!
What a great thing to try!
Easy jam!!
Thanks for visiting me.
Chat soon,
Rosemary

Betty said...

Manuela, I'm so glad you stopped by my blog today. I've been catching up on your blog. I've always wanted to try that freezer jam too. Peaches and nectarines are cheap here too. Maybe I'll try it soon.
I love your mirror makeover in the previous post and that I love the print you found too! Such a deal!

Lady Katherine said...

Good for you! For making some Jam! I wish I had peaches. I hope to make Pear preserves. Mama use to make it, I loved it so then. I hoping Hubby picks from a neighbors tree and I need more fig. My grandchildren just love my fig preserves. Me too. lol I want to go pick Blueberries, Hubby been running fixing air conditioners.No time for me. lol I got to keep grandchildren tomorrow. So all my plans are out the door. lol I painted a fridge and cleaned up a fridge someone gave Hubby he fixed it so It will be coming in tomorrow. I had paint all over me! lol I our side by side went out and we have made do with an old old one, this one should be better on our electric bill. It is smaller, well normal. I still wish I had my side by side. I should have bought one when I got the new washer and dryer. Oh, well Hubby can fix it way cheaper than a person would have to pay for him to fix it. I so excited, I just might get to show pics of kitchen. lol Preacher has given me a wonderful Tea Table and lots of wood, paint ect. So Hubby going to build my island and book shelves in the parlor on each side of my mantle for a Library, now he can't fuss it is wasted space with all my old antiques. I get to unpack my books and that will be a huge start in getting my weaving room together so I can find things! I also got some shelves for the Laundry room. Yeah! I feeling better and hope to get tons done. But tomorrow I will be running after children! lol Maybe I can sneak in painting my head board for my hospital bed to become a day bed, while the baby naps! Send me a jar of Jam! lol

Laura said...

Manuela-
What a wonderful idea! I can't wait to try it.

Thanks,
Laura

Kari said...

Just wanted to let you know that a fellow blogger suggested you as one of her favorite blogs in our 'Wander Around This Weekend' post for 6.26.09 @ http://karinewsom.blogspot.com/2009/06/wander-around-this-weekend-6209.html!
We have added a link to your blog in this Friday's post. Have a great day :o)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh how I love that little cherry teapot and cup! That is just about the cutest thing ever! Your jam looks delicious and sounds easy enough to accomplish. I've always been afraid to do this kind of thing, because I didn't know how. Thanks so much for the directions. laurie