Top Jam

January 27, 2012

A domestic goddess, I am not. Goddess, maybe. Domestic, not so much. Don’t get me wrong…I am an absolute neat-freak and love organization. I can barely contain myself at The Container Store. G-d bless that place. Have I mentioned that I’m a Virgo?

Well, organizational skills aside, that’s about where my penchant for domesticity ends. Oh, wait, I can bake some delicious chocolate chip cookies, that definitely counts.

But, I absolutely HATE to cook. I have no interest in it. If I can order it, eat it out of a box, toast it, nuke it, or eat it cold then I’m a happy girl. I like my food low-maintenance. (Remember One Holy Fruit?) As the sign, which hangs in my kitchen, courtesy of my very funny sister, decrees:

Food Sign

That's right. I'm owning it. And, I'm not ashamed.

Mark has implored me for years, years, to go over to my Mother’s and take cooking lessons along with copious notes. Uhhh, no thanks. Fortunately, said sister got the culinary gene. And, whenever she calls to say, “I’m making Mexican Lasagna tonight, want to come over?” I happily head her way, reminding Mark that he should be happy. He’s getting a home-cooked meal. Just not by me.

Seriously though, if I could keep my stove in its’ pristine condition until we sell our home, I’d be tickled pink. I mean, it’s not like I don’t have all the equipment and utensils and stuff. Because I do. I just don’t want to get it dirty and have to clean it. Some of my kitchen specific items are actually still in their original boxes. I wonder how much I could get for them on eBay?

Anyway. You can imagine my surprise when I shuffled into the kitchen this past Sunday morning to see Mark at the stove cooking something. Something in a big pot.

Sam immediately said, a little too loudly, “Mom, we’re making blueberry jam. Just like Grandma.” Fabulous.

“Really? What a great idea,” I mumbled, as I poured one huge cup of coffee.

I watched as Mark stirred those blueberries. He then looked over at me and declared, “It’s so easy. Even you could do it.” Hmpf. Of course I could do it. I know I could cook. I just don’t want to. There’s a big difference, buddy.

You probably won’t believe this, but after watching Mark at the stove for about a solid minute, I got antsy. I don’t know what came over me. All of a sudden, I had to get in there and stir up that jam. So I did. It was tough work.

Me Stirring The Blueberries

Yes. I'm making us some blueberry jam. Shocking, I know.

Let’s not get crazy. It’s not like I’m going to embark on a life of jam-making. Remember that movie with Diane Keaton and Sam Shepard, Baby Boom? Her character did just that, but I believe she was making apple sauce, and it was on a farm up North somewhere. Such a classic eighties flick. Love that movie.

I digress.

When all is said and done, I was pretty proud of our finished product. So, I would like to share this treasured family recipe with you.

Sara’s Famous Jam

1. 4-6 Boxes of Blueberries

2. Dump them in one big pot

3. Put the stove on – medium flame

4. Stir on and off, for about 30 minutes, or until melted but still lumpy

5. Let cool and store in refrigerator

Thus, we went from this:

Blueberry Jam

Not quite done.

To this:

Blueberry Jam

Amazing. Even I could do it.

I have to say, it was fun for the whole family. Maybe getting a little dirty in the kitchen isn’t all that bad.

But, just hold it right there. Because, I’m still not whipping up some Top Chef dish of Seared Red Snapper with Saffron Aioli, Braised Fennel, Grilled Clam and Bouillabaisse Reduction Sauce. Wow. Now, that was a mouthful.

I think I’ll stick with pizza.

 

What’s your most challenging dish?

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Carolyn January 28, 2012 at 8:07 pm

Love this post!!! So proud you made jam!!!

2 sharon January 29, 2012 at 4:19 am

It was nothing! Next time I might try strawberry jam…we’ll see!
xo

3 Hilary February 8, 2012 at 7:07 pm

If you start making your own tequila, THEN I’ll come over for dinner!!

4 Sharon February 26, 2012 at 11:41 pm

Ha!!! I’ll get right on that!!! xoxox

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