Summer Jams

When summer is approaching, I start contemplating visits to local farms to collect some berries and fruits for my jams and preserves. Over the past few years I have cooked many scrumptious jams, but every summer I have developed more unique recipes. Without having some homemade preserves on the shelf any house is not complete.

When we cook breakfasts on a weekend my kids like to pick their favorite jams and syrups for waffles and pancakes. Sometimes we have our breakfast outside on the porch and freshly made berry jams are an important part of it, just like they are part of any summer sweet gatherings.

Rolled Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cranberry Jam, Grand Marnier Syrup & Cream Cheese Filling

Inspiration for this cake came from American holiday traditions. All favorites (pumpkin, cranberries, cream cheese and liqueur) in one cake. It's a wonderful dessert for a holiday party and can be made a day ahead of time.

Cardamom Semolina Cake with Rosewater Syrup

Yes, I have to admit, I do have a sweet tooth and bake something sweet quite often. In my family 4 o'clock afternoon tea is a cherished tradition. Tea and coffee is something we all drink a lot of. Sometimes I crave Middle Eastern desserts, sweet and syrupy, with ton of nuts and exotic herbs. That is why on my kitchen shelf I always keep handy a bottle of rosewater and cardamon seeds.

Mango and Strawberry Popsicles

The summer is here. Can you feel it, can you taste it? I am sure you can. I love summer food, so many colors, so many wonderful flavors. Summer days are so hot so we are doing different popsicles every day. I have never made popsicles before, and I really don't know why. I have seen many variations of these so I figured I try my own, after all, summer weather is here so these are just perfect for the hot days.You don't need a special recipe for it, just put in your blender any fruits or berries you have and freeze it.



We love mango popsicles and mango with strawberries. I have a few ideas for you what to make, but anything will do, honestly!



This year we started our first little herb garden: lemon mint, rosemary, carry leaves, lemon thyme, fennel and parsley. Also we have peaches and red currant.  I can not wait to make some jam and syrup using my herbs. Try to make strawberry syrup with basil and chocolate mint, the best with pancakes and waffles, it's amazing.



Love to know what is in your garden and what are you cooking with your herbs.



Mango popsicles

Makes 6
Ingredients:

• 3 mangos
• 1 tsp honey
• lime juice from half of lime
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into your ice pop moulds, stick a paddle pop stick in and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until set.



Mango and Strawberry popsicles

Makes 6
Ingredients:

• 1 mango
• juice from one orange
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 cups strawberries
• juice from one grapefruit
• 1 tsp honey

Directions:

Place all ingredients for mango layer in a blender and puree until smooth. Do the same with strawberries. Spoon a layer of mango puree into the ice pop moulds, about a half full, and then add a layer of strawberry puree. Insert a paddle pop stick into each mould and freeze for a minimum of 5 hours.

Wonderful Autumn Preserves: Candied Pumpkin in Syrup with Cinnamon, Pickled Pumpkin and Pickled Beets

Ingredients for the candied pumpkin in syrup with cinnamon:

• 1 3/4 pounds sugar pumpkin, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 Tbsp spice clove
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 ½ cups water
• 2 ½ cup granulated sugar
• cinnamon sticks

Directions for the candied pumpkin in syrup with cinnamon:
Soak pumpkin overnight water, (water should cover pumpkin).
The next day, remove pumpkin from water
Bring water, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, spice clove and honey to a boil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then add pumpkin and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer pumpkin, covered, until tender but not falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer pumpkin to a bowl using a slotted spoon, then boil syrup until reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, 5 to 8 minutes.



By: Elin Gottschalk

Pickled pumpkin is a holiday tradition waiting to happen! Diced pumpkin is pickled overnight in vinegar with sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Use 1 cup of water along with the vinegar for a milder flavor. The longer the pickled pumpkin is stored before serving, the better it tastes. Rescue all those poor Halloween pumpkins by doubling or tripling the recipe for pickled pumpkin throughout the holidays.

Ingredients for the pickled pumpkin:  

• 4 pounds peeled and diced pumpkin
• 5 cups white sugar
• 5 cups distilled white vinegar
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 15 whole cloves

Directions the pickled pumpkin:
Place the pumpkin in a large, deep bowl.
In a large saucepan, mix the sugar, vinegar, cinnamon sticks and cloves. Boil 5 minutes. Pour the hot liquid over the pumpkin in the bowl. Cover and set aside 8 hours, or overnight.
Strain the liquid into a large saucepan. Boil 5 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks and cloves, leaving a few bits for decoration. Place the pumpkin back into the liquid and return to boiling. Boil 5 minutes, or until pumpkin is transparent but crisp. Allow the mixture to cool. Transfer to sterile jars
and refrigerate.



From The Complete Book of Small Batch Preserving by Ellie Topp and Margaret Howard.



Ingredients for the pickled beets:

• 10 -15 small beets
• 2 cups cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup small whole onions, peeled
• 2 tsp pickling salt
• 2 tsp caraway seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds

Directions for the pickled beets:
In a large pot of water simmer beets for 25 to 40 minutes or until they are tender. Drain, rinse beets and remove skins. If your beets are very large, cut them into halves or quarters.
Combine vinegar, sugar and water in a pot and bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, remove jars from canner and divide onions and seeds equally among the jars. Add beets.
Pour boiling liquid over beets, seal and process for 30 minutes for pint jars and 35 minutes for quart jars.

Fresh Strawberries in Vanilla Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped

Directions:

Combine the sugar, lemon juice, and add the vanilla bean pod and the seeds in a small saucepan and cook over very low heat for 10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the strawberries and continue to cook over very low heat for 20 minutes, until the strawberries release some of their juices and the mixture boils slowly. Cook until a small amount of the juice gels on a very cold plate. (Keep one in the freezer.)
Remove the vanilla bean pod. Pour strawberries in vanilla syrup carefully into canning jars and either seal or keep refrigerated. Use immediately, or follow proper canning guidelines.
The best use for breakfast with pancakes, waffles or simply put it on a top of the ice cream.

Sometimes, I use basil and mint instead of vanilla bean.