Our back to school checklist went something like this: overpriced girls clothes from Justice (because that's where all the cool girls shop); tennis shoes that could not have an ounce of pink, but had to be turquoise or purple (wow, that was fun); a haircut that absolutely had to include the new feather trend; a monogrammed backpack from Pottery Barn with a matching binder; $100 in school supplies; and last but not least, let's not forget that lovely check we wrote the school for even more school supplies. Because the ones we already bought just weren't enough! Wow...back to school will totally break you. Doesn't matter how long you plan for it. It will get you every time.
Thank God for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. There is a reason why they are so popular, right? Moms love them because they're easy, they're cheap, and they don't require an ice pack. Kids love them because they're delicious and let's face it....all the cool kids are eating them!
For Back to School week at I Heart Cooking Clubs I decided on Jamie's Strawberry Jam, perfect for peanut butter and jelly (jam) sandwiches. Jamie's strawberry jam includes one whole vanilla bean, giving it quite a bit of vanilla flavor. I added a pinch of salt to bring out the sweetness and a squeeze of lemon just because I felt it needed some brightness. This recipe makes a lot of jam and is perfect for so many things.
Fresh Strawberry & Vanilla Jam
Adapted from Food Network/Jamie Oliver
Seeds of 1 vanilla pod
10 1/2 ounces (300 grams) sugar
2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) strawberries, washed & hulled
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
dash of salt
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| Theme: Back to School |
I'm rather partial to P&J sandwiches, and I imagine that your jam brings them to another level altogether!!
ReplyDeleteAt least "back to school" is over for another year!
Kinda makes me wish I packed a lunch. The jam--not all the back to school commotion!
ReplyDeleteOh, what an awesome idea. I wish I had made this this week...I was a total slacker =( My daughter will adore it as strawberry jam is her absolute favorite! I stress out and get new grey hairs for the week leading up to and the week after school starts. I can now breathe again... Now. My bread is ready, pass me some of that beautiful jam!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain girl...back to school stressed me unnecessarily! However, this jam sounds amazing. And you make it sound easy :)
ReplyDeleteWow - it's so - easy! There must be a catch! But after your week - I bet this fit the bill - easy and delicious and "cool." Love the hint of vanilla. And as my daughter just came home with her own "back to college" supplies - I must say I don't terribly miss those days...
ReplyDeleteYour jam looks wonderful. I'm chuckling at the Pottery Barn backpack! Part of me misses back to school, but then I just give myself a little slap to bring myself back to reality.
ReplyDeleteI heart strawberry jam a lot. And your jam looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThank god PB+J's are not just for kids...especially not with this jam in the fridge! Yum!
ReplyDeleteI love homemade strawberry jam a whole lot, but it sounds absolutely perfect with the vanilla bean thrown in there. Next time we go strawberry picking...this is what we're making!
ReplyDeleteI made peach vanilla jam a few years back and loved it. I bet this strawberry version is so good!!
ReplyDeleteoooh, I woke up this morning with a knot in my stomach and I couldnt understand why... now I remember its day one of the new school term!... 40 and still worried about going back to school!... lovely jam... the colour is wonderful x
ReplyDeleteLove the vanilla bean in this. Must take incredible.
ReplyDeleteSam
I recently made my own jam too and was surprised that it was not nearly as hard as I thought it would be. Love the addition of the vanilla.
ReplyDelete*kisses* HH
LOL! I had to laugh at your back to school list... we have so been there. I think I remember my daughter picking out the same shoes you guys did! And yep, we passed on the same check to the school as well. Love the jam you have here, I could do with a dose of that myself!
ReplyDeleteWow - I'm glad I'm past that stage!
ReplyDeleteThe jam looks beautiful. I'd probably put it on ice cream too. :-)
That looks wonderful, Kim. And easy to make too!
ReplyDeleteThe jam sounds lovely with all that vanilla flavor packed into it! Sounds like your daughter is all set - I bet her hair looks cute.
ReplyDeleteYum, that sounds really good... I'm not a peanut butter fan, but I definitely like jam. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever made homemade jam :)
haha! i just dropped my kid off for her first day today, and my wallet is still a bit sore from the beating it just got too. i think i'll die when my daughter doesn't want anything pink, but i have a feeling that the day will come!
ReplyDeletethis looks just gorgeous, and sounds delicious! i love homemade jam!
I realized I never commented on your jam last week--whoops! ;-) But it looked so good it is what inspired me to make my own using guava this week. Thanks for the inspiration. ;-)
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