Mixed Berry Jam

I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend! I labored most of it, but it's all good!

I have a treat for you today! Giada made a mixed berry jam on her show a few weeks ago and it brought back some good memories for me. When I was a kid, my family and I would visit my grandmother who lived deep in the country. One thing I looked forward to the most was breakfast. Grandma made the BEST homemade biscuits! I used to take a biscuit, cram the inside with jam and take a big bite. The jam would then end up on me. But I loved it. 

Giada's recipe includes thyme, but I didn't have any on hand when I made this- and it still turned out perfect.

I took these fresh fruits...

some pure maple syrup, and turned them into this...

All natural. No preservatives. Six ingredients. And SO good! Here is what you need and what to do:

1 lb of fresh strawberries- organic ones have the most flavor

2 cups of fresh blueberries

2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice

1 teaspoon of lemon zest

1 cup of pure maple syrup

Add the strawberries and blueberries to a medium sauce pan. Take a potato masher and mash the berries. This will help them break down quicker. Add the lemon juice, orange juice, lemon zest and maple syrup.  Stir, then turn on the heat to about medium. Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat and cook for about 50 minutes. You will know it's ready when it's thick and has reduced by about half. Be sure to stir often, especially during the last 15 minutes of cook time. Remove from the heat and let it cool for about an hour.

Slap the jam (that's the country term) on some crusty bread, toast or a biscuit. Take a big bite and you will just smile. Promise. 

Refrigerate in an air-tight container and store for up to 1 month. 

Images by me