Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

School has only been out for less than a week and I'm totally missing it. So I woke up this morning and decided to make something - ANYTHING - to keep me busy. I bought a bunch of rhubarb at the farmer's market and I had about a pound of strawberries in the freezer, so I thought "hey! let's make some jam!"

The recipe is super easy. Here it is if there's any interest. 

Ingredients:


2 cups rhubarb that has been thinly sliced


2 cups of fresh strawberries also sliced


2 tablespoons of lemon juice


1/4 teaspoon salt


5 cups of sugar
*

1 package of fruit pectin

In large pot, combine all ingredients except the sugar. Cook over high heat until mixture comes to a full boil. Add sugar and keep stirring. Be sure sugar dissolves into the mixture. Return to boil and boil for one minute. Don't forget to keep stirring to avoid sticking and lumps, etc. Remove from the burner and skim off the foam with a spoon.

Spoon the hot jam into hot (preferably half-pint) canning jars. Leave 1/4 inch of space at the top. Wipe the jar rims and adjust the lids. Place the jars in a boiling-water canner for 5 minutes - remember that time begins when the water begins to boil. Remove the jars from canner and cool on racks.

This should make about 6 half-pint jars.

*I used about 3 1/2 cups sugar and it seems to be just enough sweetness

Spring Quarter: DONE!

I'm done with spring quarter. I can't believe it went so fast. I had so much fun in both my classes, but I think I liked my Artisan Breads class a little more. And to think: I went into it thinking I was going to hate every moment! But it worked out well and I have a new appreciation for making home made bread.

For my final project I had to create a movie scene using dead dough. Dead dough is bread dough without yeast added (so it's not "living"). It has the consistency and texture of playdoh, but smells a lot better. It's pretty easy to work with, but it takes forever to dry.

I did the wood chipper scene from Fargo. If you're not familiar with the movie, you really need to see it. It's my favorite movie of all time. I was so happy I got permission from my chef to do this scene. I thought for sure he'd say "no" or that it was too gory or unethical or whatever. But, yeah...I did it and I'm super happy and proud. It's currently in the window of the Gourmet Gallery on 9th St, so if you're in Minneapolis, stop by and take a look.

Wedding Cake

Here's the wedding cake I completed for my final in my Advanced Patisserie and Display Cakes class. I'm not too thrilled with it. I like the colors (they are, after all, my favorite), but I'm not a fan of flowers, so I didn't cover the cake with them. This was a mistake as my Chef said there needed to be more flowers. Oh well. Live and learn.

My favorite part of the cake is the button detail. I dusted them with silver luster dust. I think that makes them look even prettier.