Sunday, September 26, 2010

Gingered Plum Raspberry Preserves


I almost skipped this week's Sweet Melissa Sundays recipe, and that would have been tragic. If it hadn't been picked by my one of my favorite bloggers, Margot of Effort to Deliciousness, I might have skipped it, but then I saw my dear friend Hanaa urging us not to skip it on the P&Q. I got three lovely plums in my CSA this week, which I paired with raspberries I froze when they were in season a month or so ago, plus lemons from my tree.


I added sliced ginger to give the fruit an additional depth of flavor, and it added complexity without being a dominant flavor. The flavor of the jam was so delicious that I burned the roof of my mouth testing it. It was worth it. If you'd like the recipe, Margot will have it for you here.

Thanks, Margot, for choosing this wonderful recipe. It was truly surprising and has become a favorite here.

NOTE: After reading Margot's post, I just realized I made the recipe wrong. I was supposed to add 2 cups of apples along with the plums and raspberries. It turned out so well that I wouldn't change a thing next time, though, so feel free to make it either with or without the apples. There was enough natural pectin in the fruit that I didn't have a jelling problem.

21 comments:

Cakelaw said...

What gorgeous looking jam - look at that colour! I also love ginger with anything.

Rebecca (Indecisive Baker) said...

Great idea adding ginger!

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

Adding ginger has to make it the best. Great idea and beautiful preserves.

Beth said...

Your jam looks gorgeous. It's funny how sometimes our mistakes can lead to a new recipe!

TeaLady said...

Isn't it great when a mistake actually works out. Looks delicious. Love home made jams and don't make them often enough.

Anonymous said...

It looks so delicious. Plum and ginger are a great combination!

margot said...

Your preserves look wonderful and the addition of ginger sounds divine. I'm glad you ended up liking it so much. Nice to know you don't really need the apples since the rest of the fruit cooks so much quicker.

Hanaa's culinary enthusiasm is infectious: I recently decided to join her ABC group. I figured SMS is winding down and I can use a new baking challenge.

Gloria - The Ginger Snap Girl said...

Beautiful preserves! I love ginger. That sounds like the perfect compliment.

rebecca @ beurrista said...

Ginger is a great addition. Yum.

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious!

Shandy said...

I LOVE your fruit combination, especially adding the lemons from your own tree . . . and the deep red color is beautiful. I am so happy to read that you enjoyed making the preserves. Making jam or jelly is versatile and a wonderful bragging point to share with friends, not that I would brag . . . show-off a "little" once in a while. =)

Tessa said...

Ginger sounds like a wonderful addition. Glad the recipe ended up working well even with the little goof =)

Anonymous said...

Leslie, thanks so much for posting such a nice comment regarding my cupcake tower. I just finished posting about the party today with a pic of the tower filled with all the cupcakes. Check it out when you get a chance! =)

Tiff said...

Your preserves look lovely! So interesting that the recipe still turned out without the apples! Good to know.

Hanaâ said...

Oooooh ginger. How perfect (and very creative)! I think I should have added a little warning to my P&Q note: you'll never go to store bought jam ever again (at least, I don't). Good to know that it worked even without the apples. I remember one time I didn't have *enough* apples and it still worked.

Julie said...

Your preserves look delicious! Love the addition of the ginger. How interesting that it worked without the apples.

Unknown said...

Good tip on leaving the apples out Leslie! I wouldn't have thought that was an option, but I'm glad there was enough pectin without them. I love how easy this recipe is and the results are always wonderful! Glad you enjoyed the preserves :)

Mimi said...

Don't you love it when you create a fabulous recipe by mistake.
Mimi

Lynne Daley said...

Three of my favorite ingredients-plums, raspberries and ginger! Looks amazing!

Kayte said...

Just love the sound of this combination of fruits, with or without the apples! It's so pretty...is there anything prettier, seriously, than a jar of sparkling jelly/jam? Must try...next year is my year to try jams/jellies/preserves, seriously, that is next year's goal. This year was breads!!

Anonymous said...

I love the addition of ginger to your jam. I was debating on sprinkling in either some cinnamon or ginger but decided against it.

It looks divine, Leslie!