Fig and Balsamic Jam

The fig and I have an on-again off-again relationship. He is an unassuming, dumpy little gentleman if I ever saw one. At least that's what I thought until he got up the nerve to flash me. The audacity! I just can't look at him the same anymore--not after being exposed to all that eye candy.
Our love affair was brief. He took me for brunch and we dined on pancakes. He treated me to decadent desserts (and oh he can be so sweet-tempered smothered in chocolate). Then things headed south. He got cloying, sugar-coating all his words. More than once he got just a little too ripe with me.

I was at fault too. I was fickle. He caught me checking out the pears in the grocery aisle. I brushed him off to spend quality time with the apples. But we can never stray from each other for long. He always finds his way back to my kitchen table.

I will admit I was wary of making this jam. Figs and balsamic? Peppercorns? I couldn't imagine the taste, which made me suspicious. Thankfully, my curiosity got the better of me and I gave it a try. Oh, I am so glad I did. Figs and balsamic are like a match made in heaven. With jams, I generally get concerned that the sugar will overtake the jam and drown out the flavors, but with this one the peppercorns and lemon juice really keep that in check (and add a nice kick too!). If you are wary of this fig and balsamic jam like I was, you are going to miss out on a uniquely delicious flavor combination.

Click to read more ...

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes

I am a chocolate pancake person. I don't want a good old fashioned buttermilk pancake unless it is dotted with chocolate chips. Don't give me blueberry pancakes unless there are equally as many chocolate chips as blueberries. When I go out to my favorite pancake diner, I order a chocolate chip pancake made with chocolate batter. Seriously. Perhaps I should rephrase my first statement and say I am a chocolate dessert person instead (and then again, who isn't?).
These pancakes changed all of that. I was shocked to find I was able to appreciate a pancake for being a pancake (and not chocolate), which makes these miracle pancakes. The fact that this was also the first time I had real maple syrup on a pancake probably played into it a bit too. But that does not change the honest-to-goodness truth that these pancakes are incredible.
These whole wheat banana pancakes pack a wholesome punch, giving you whole grains, potassium, and a balanced breakfast all at once. They are fluffy, thick, and filling. Now go create your own miracle and treat yourself to a pancake revelation.

Click to read more ...

Simple Rhubarb Jam

For as long as I can remember, there has been a huge rhubarb plant in the garden. It is abrasive and tries to overtake and suffocate the other plants. It is a conquering tyrant. My mother refers to it antagonistically as a weed.

Growing up, my family never ate rhubarb and that is the sad, sad truth. The rhubarb plant would sit, lacking attention like a middle child. During sunny afternoons, we could spot the neighbors eyeing our plant with green envy. And then, in the dead of night, they would sneak over with a pair of hedge clippers and steal as much as they could get away with. I kid you not.

I decided this desperately needed to change and so this rhubarb jam was born. It is quick, easy to make, and goes well on just about anything.

Because it was a hot afternoon, I was not about to spend my time canning in the kitchen. Since I am not looking to save up for winter, making one jar sufficed. It takes less than 15 minutes to have a tasty spread. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if necessary.

Click to read more ...