Thursday, July 10, 2008

homemade jam


I LOVE homemade jam and homemade bread but I never dared to attempt to make it until last year. My friend Tracy is a pro and she forced me to learn and I'm so glad she did because it's not that hard. YOU can totally do it if you were like me and thought you couldn't. All you need is this box of pectin that you can get at any grocery store and some jars and lids of course, but I just use the recipe and the instructions in the box. Sealing them can be a bit tricky your first time. You've got to be able to work fast. I recommend you have a friend do it with you. One who knows how or one who wants to learn too! It is easier to have 2 sets of hands. Mine and Tracy's only problem was we would start talking and loose our concentration and mess up what we were doing. If you are by yourself... make freezer jam. It's WAY easy! I did some of both. Little tip... you can add some crushed pineapple to your jam to make the fruit go further and you can't even taste it. Anyway I really owe the easiness of it to Tracy because she comes over with 4 kids in tow, brings all her supplies, and brings me jars, and kicks butt! We got it all done in less than a couple of hours! WAY worth it! Good luck if any of you want to attempt! Thanks again Tracy!

P.S. This jam will be gone in a few months. My family LOVES it!

17 comments:

Brooke said...

I'm seriously impressed- it has always been one of those tasks I find very daunting! I do want to try it... one day.

janet said...

yum, yum, yum! It is easy and so good! the first time I made it, Aaron came home and I said, "I am a real housewife! I just made jam!" as if he actually thought it was cool.

So glad you have a friend like Tracy!

The Shupe Ohana said...

yummy! there is nothing better than homemade jam.It really isn't that hard either. its surprising. good idea about the pineapple, i hadn't heard of that, i might have to try it next time i do jam.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Ben makes our homemade jam. Does that make him a real house-husband?
It's delicous! Homemade jam is the bomb!

Anonymous said...

Sorry my comment posted like a gazillion times.

kennyandkristin said...

How do you fit so many things into your days? You are always doing something new and fun. I love that jam, maybe I will have to get into gear and make some.

melissa said...

Would that happen to be made with Bear Lake raspberries??

Mmm...LOVE homemade jam. In fact, there is some in my freezer now...but I didn't make it. I bought the strawberries at Costco and my mom did all the work. Guess I'd better watch her next time so I don't feel like such a slacker.

Danielle said...

This is hilarious! I made Jam too on wednesday night, for the first time ever, started at 8:45, and was finished by 9:30- but I wimped out and made freezer jam...It's the only way to PBJ.

Danielle said...

I just noticed your even wearing an apron. WOW!!

Shaundee said...

Wow...seriously impressed with all the jam...can you be my friend that comes to my house to help me? We would love to see you and Avaree at swimming lessons!!! It would be fun to chat while they swim!

SUMMER said...

Feel free to send some my way Betty Crocker!!! Nice work!

Tracy said...

I love homemade jam too. Blackberries grow like crazy here in August, so I've taken advantage of that. We find a nearby patch by the side of the road or beach, pick a few buckets, and go home and make as much jam as we can. I love it!

Cathy said...

I just started to make freezer jam this year. Berries grow like weeds in Oregon so I am able to make a lot of different jams for pretty cheap!. One of my favorite treats is homemade bread with homemade jam! Yum!!

Francine said...

What kind did you make? It looks so good. We used to get free Johanna'a Kitchen Jam that I LOVED, but those day are over so I better jump on the band-wagon!

karlin said...

I made raspberry and strawberry. I just bought the fruit from Costco and it is good. I remember good old Johanna's jam.