Here we are, another variation on Strawberry Jam. It seems that every year, I try something new. Sometimes with lemon and thyme, sometimes with port, sometimes mized with other fruit, always yummy. This year, I decided to add blood orange juice (a little bit of a clean, citrus-y note) and freshly grated ginger. The ginger isn’t overwhelming, just a nice warm after taste. Seriously delicious this time. Perfect for gift giving too.
As is usual in later June, usually the first weekend after the summer solstice, I went PYO Strawberry picking today. It wasn’t great weather, and I picked less berries that usual because they seemed smaller, there were less of them, and the impending rain. As usual, I have plans for the berries, so stay tuned. Here is my first recipe: a crumble bar stand-by: Strawberry Almond Crumble Bars. Bursting with fresh strawberry flavor!
It seems that every where you go, you’re overrun with rhubarb this time of year around here. Apparently it’s been a bumper crop and people are practically giving it away. So here is a new recipe to use some of your harvest. I know that the berry accompaniment tends to be strawberries, but I thought that I would change it up with raspberries. And ginger. Love ginger.
GORP, as one theory goes, is “good old raisins and peanuts”. Well, this GORP ain’t no regular stuff then because this trail mix is chock full of tropical fruit and nuts. I’m a big fan of trail mix and almost always make it myself. I do a lot of road trips in the summer, and it’s better than having to stop for junk food. The dried mango is particularly yummy. All the fruit and nuts are from Trader Joes, because they have the best!
Dessert in a jar! Here’s a clever way of bringing individual little cheesecakes to a picnic or BBQ: bake them in Mason or Weck jars, screw on the lids and voila! Portable! I took these along on a picnic and they worked out great. If strawberries aren’t your thing, top with any other fruit (blueberry or mango might be good options) or even chocolate or caramel sauce. A totally decadent idea!