I am sorry I have been slacking! I have had so many fun culinary adventures with my Sweet Boyfriend. We have been documenting them all and taking pictures. I have to get him to write here to tell you more about his smoking and grilling and fast cooking ways but for now, I'll share my side.
A few weeks ago we went for a weekend walk through the neighborhood. It so happens that his neighborhood has TONS of cherry trees! We decided at the last minute to pick some of these super ripe cherries and use them. They were very small and the tart/pie style of cherry. We grabbed one of the bags provided for 'doggie cleanup' and started picking... We ended up with a pound and a half of cherries!We also picked up a few local, organic apricots at the farmers market in his neighborhood. Once we got home we were a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cherries picked! I decided I wanted to make a cherry preserve or jam with the apricots. I researched online and found SavorySweetLife.com and her Cherry Jam recipe. We modified it, used less sugar, and added apricots. It turned out so well!
I really like this recipe because there is no pectin in it. It is an easy, simple, and healthy recipe. Sweet Boyfriend and I decided that it would be delish on chicken or duck. His parents and mine enjoyed their servings immensely.Here is the recipe and pictures. Mind you, there aren't really measurements here... seems hard, I know but just watch it and feel it. You will be fine!
Easy Cherry-Apricot Jam/Preserves:
Ingredients:
- Cherries (the more tart the better), stems and pits removed, and chopped
- Apricots, chopped and pitted (fresh, NOT DRIED)
- Lemon rind/juice
- Sugar
Directions:
- In a medium size pan, add chopped cherries, apricots, lemon rind, and lemon juice cooking on medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
- Add a cup or two of sugar. Taste the brew and feel out how tart the cherries are. Do you need more sugar? Add slowly and taste frequently!
- Once the sugar is fully added, reduce heat to medium.
- Stir everything until sugar has dissolved.
- Cook for an additional 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and cool.
- You can jar it or enjoy now!