Comments on: Hope You Like Jammin’ Too http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/ Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:20:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Keitha http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-125610 Keitha Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:48:15 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-125610 The color of your fig jam is beautiful, Clifford. I think I told you about the fig jam that I made that was less than exciting. Well, after having read your recipe and others, my figs were very likely too dry to begin with. I have just been looking at some other recipes in my books here. One is from The Zuni Cafe Cookbook (a great SF restaurant) for Dried Figs in Red Wine. It sounds like a wonderful condiment to have around. And another one from Daniel Boulud (I have only been to the cafe near the Whitney) is for a sauce with figs, Port and lemon grass. This also reminded me of your recipe. The sauce is to accompany foie gras. I am sure feelings are mixed on its consumption, but no denying the great taste. It may already be illegal here. I have pretty much been a home cook lately anyway. Your fig bread was delicious. I looked for some at the end of the evening and it was all gone. It was perfect (no extra baking needed). It just needed to rest (the lesson I never seem to quite learn for myself!). Cheers and best wishes, Keitha The color of your fig jam is beautiful, Clifford.

I think I told you about the fig jam that I made that was less than exciting. Well, after having read your recipe and others, my figs were very likely too dry to begin with.

I have just been looking at some other recipes in my books here.
One is from The Zuni Cafe Cookbook (a great SF restaurant) for Dried Figs in Red Wine. It sounds like a wonderful condiment to have around.
And another one from Daniel Boulud (I have only been to the cafe near the Whitney) is for a sauce with figs, Port and lemon grass. This also reminded me of your recipe.
The sauce is to accompany foie gras.
I am sure feelings are mixed on its consumption, but no denying the great taste.
It may already be illegal here.
I have pretty much been a home cook lately anyway.

Your fig bread was delicious.
I looked for some at the end of the evening and it was all gone.
It was perfect (no extra baking needed).
It just needed to rest (the lesson I never seem to quite learn for myself!).

Cheers and best wishes,
Keitha

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81379 Clifford Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:31:37 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81379 Not promising anyone anything once the months of plenty have left us..... ;-) -cvj Not promising anyone anything once the months of plenty have left us….. ;-)

-cvj

]]> By: Brunsli http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81352 Brunsli Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:38:20 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81352 I hope to see your big sister and meet your nephew too! Is there any way I can get some fig jam too? Brunsli I hope to see your big sister and meet your nephew too!

Is there any way I can get some fig jam too?

Brunsli

]]> By: Adam http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81278 Adam Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:38:12 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81278 At my parents' house in Houston, they have two very prolific fig trees. One easy way to minimize bird and squirrel related losses is to put a few plastic snakes in the branches of the tree. It sounds kind of silly, but it really does work. I also like your jam consistency testing method. Next time I go home and we set up for another jam making session, I'll have to try that. In the past, our jam consistency wasn't very consistent. At my parents’ house in Houston, they have two very prolific fig trees. One easy way to minimize bird and squirrel related losses is to put a few plastic snakes in the branches of the tree. It sounds kind of silly, but it really does work. I also like your jam consistency testing method. Next time I go home and we set up for another jam making session, I’ll have to try that. In the past, our jam consistency wasn’t very consistent.

]]> By: Mary Cole http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81133 Mary Cole Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:01:08 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81133 David- One of my neighbours in Histon (not so far from Granchester Meadows) has a very productive fig tree! David- One of my neighbours in Histon (not so far from Granchester Meadows) has a very productive fig tree!

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81092 Clifford Mon, 24 Sep 2007 07:02:04 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81092 I love blackberry jam. There were several bushes long the path near the Newton Institute in Cambridge some weeks back, laden with fruit. I'd stop on my way to and from the lectures and have a few. They'd have been perfect for jam. Tasty. Enjoy your jam! -cvj I love blackberry jam. There were several bushes long the path near the Newton Institute in Cambridge some weeks back, laden with fruit. I’d stop on my way to and from the lectures and have a few. They’d have been perfect for jam. Tasty.

Enjoy your jam!

-cvj

]]> By: David http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81088 David Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:49:22 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-81088 Great minds think alike Clifford, after harvesting a good number of blackberries- the fruit rather than the communication device- from grantchester meadows, I too made jam this weekend. Just pointing out that though I am often jealous of the californian weather we too in the UK have good jam fruits. I doubt we could stretch to figs though.... regards David Great minds think alike Clifford, after harvesting a good number of blackberries- the fruit rather than the communication device- from grantchester meadows, I too made jam this weekend. Just pointing out that though I am often jealous of the californian weather we too in the UK have good jam fruits. I doubt we could stretch to figs though….

regards

David

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80989 Clifford Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:17:38 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80989 A - If the truth be told, I'd say jam-making was pretty easy. I've always wondered what the fuss was all about since I was a child. The hardest part is really just the paying attention to not going too long (like not stopping to do a blog post and forgetting what you're doing)... so checking regularly and stirring regularly. There's really nothing else to do but put everything in and stir. Patience is the watch-word. I suppose in this day and age, time and patience seem to be harder to find for people, and so maybe it seems a hard task for that reason... but in terms of skill level, I'd say doing a good sunny-side up egg is in fact much harder than making a decent jam, if you've got reasonably good ingredients. I put all the same ingredients as last time. It seemed a bit pointless to go through every detail I did in this post since I did it all a year ago and the details were a click away. Cheers! -cvj A - If the truth be told, I’d say jam-making was pretty easy. I’ve always wondered what the fuss was all about since I was a child. The hardest part is really just the paying attention to not going too long (like not stopping to do a blog post and forgetting what you’re doing)… so checking regularly and stirring regularly. There’s really nothing else to do but put everything in and stir. Patience is the watch-word. I suppose in this day and age, time and patience seem to be harder to find for people, and so maybe it seems a hard task for that reason… but in terms of skill level, I’d say doing a good sunny-side up egg is in fact much harder than making a decent jam, if you’ve got reasonably good ingredients.

I put all the same ingredients as last time. It seemed a bit pointless to go through every detail I did in this post since I did it all a year ago and the details were a click away.

Cheers!

-cvj

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80988 Clifford Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:12:01 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80988 C+c - Not making any promises about the outcomes of my attempt at abstinence here. While there are fresh figs on the tree, it will be easy, but as the deep bleak midwinter of Southern California threatens, I may well break down.... -cvj C+c - Not making any promises about the outcomes of my attempt at abstinence here. While there are fresh figs on the tree, it will be easy, but as the deep bleak midwinter of Southern California threatens, I may well break down….

-cvj

]]> By: Carol+crew http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80975 Carol+crew Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:52:54 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80975 Emm ..... I'd better book the flight then!!! Pressure is on because I suspect that by the time I get there my jar will be eaten as it takes so good!! Watch out brother!! And believe it or not the fig tree next door in deep south east London is going to rival your output so next year your post will be 'Yes, my sister likes jamming too!' and don't forget the strawberries as well!! Thanks again. Emm ….. I’d better book the flight then!!! Pressure is on because I suspect that by the time I get there my jar will be eaten as it takes so good!! Watch out brother!! And believe it or not the fig tree next door in deep south east London is going to rival your output so next year your post will be ‘Yes, my sister likes jamming too!’ and don’t forget the strawberries as well!! Thanks again.

]]> By: Athena http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80951 Athena Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:38:08 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80951 I did read the post from last year, which is why I was curious about the changes. I listed other possibilities, in addition to ones I noticed -- for example, it seems from the photos that you didn't use cinnamon stick (which I love) and brown sugar this year -- because I can't assume what caused the difference. As for the overcooking, I guessed that could be the main reason, but thought that directly saying so would be impolite. A sticky situation (haha), which is why I referred to that as "technique" in trying to be subtle. I was hoping you'd point out that heat and time were the critical factors, however, because making jam is tricky. Selecting the right moment is important, and that's why cooking jam takes practice (for those who don't know and may be inspired to make a small batch). Your method of putting a spoonful on a plate is great. Thanks for the response! P.S. "One-way express train to Caramel City" would make a great title for a song. Maybe a blues song about cooking... Okay, I know that's silly now! : ) I did read the post from last year, which is why I was curious about the changes. I listed other possibilities, in addition to ones I noticed — for example, it seems from the photos that you didn’t use cinnamon stick (which I love) and brown sugar this year — because I can’t assume what caused the difference. As for the overcooking, I guessed that could be the main reason, but thought that directly saying so would be impolite. A sticky situation (haha), which is why I referred to that as “technique” in trying to be subtle.

I was hoping you’d point out that heat and time were the critical factors, however, because making jam is tricky. Selecting the right moment is important, and that’s why cooking jam takes practice (for those who don’t know and may be inspired to make a small batch). Your method of putting a spoonful on a plate is great.

Thanks for the response!

P.S. “One-way express train to Caramel City” would make a great title for a song. Maybe a blues song about cooking… Okay, I know that’s silly now! : )

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80921 Clifford Sun, 23 Sep 2007 14:30:31 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80921 No, there's a simple reason, if you read the end of the past from last year. I overcooked that batch a bit. Sweet stuff and high heat have to be handled delicately at the point where the mixture is beginning to thicken - a moment too long and the taste and colour begin to go south, and you're on the one-way express train to Caramel City. So while I agree with the positive feelings matters, in this case its much simpler to make the call as to why. -cvj No, there’s a simple reason, if you read the end of the past from last year. I overcooked that batch a bit. Sweet stuff and high heat have to be handled delicately at the point where the mixture is beginning to thicken - a moment too long and the taste and colour begin to go south, and you’re on the one-way express train to Caramel City. So while I agree with the positive feelings matters, in this case its much simpler to make the call as to why.

-cvj

]]> By: Athena http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80903 Athena Sun, 23 Sep 2007 11:54:58 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80903 I'm not too kind, you're just too modest! ; ) Happy to hear that the batch turned out well -- nice update! I'm curious as to why you think it tastes better than last year. Bear with my food scientist-y questions. Did you modify the recipe? Is your technique improving? Was it more jam-appropriate harvest of figs? Or because you made it for your sister? (The latter being my favorite reason, as making foods for loved ones is such a generous act, and I think the positive feelings can make anything taste better -- due to a halo effect. Not that it doesn't actually taste better, of course!) I’m not too kind, you’re just too modest! ; )

Happy to hear that the batch turned out well — nice update! I’m curious as to why you think it tastes better than last year. Bear with my food scientist-y questions. Did you modify the recipe? Is your technique improving? Was it more jam-appropriate harvest of figs? Or because you made it for your sister? (The latter being my favorite reason, as making foods for loved ones is such a generous act, and I think the positive feelings can make anything taste better — due to a halo effect. Not that it doesn’t actually taste better, of course!)

]]> By: Elliot http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80852 Elliot Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:54:06 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80852 will the pics be FIGures? e. will the pics be FIGures?

e.

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80810 Clifford Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:39:35 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80810 Aw....you're too kind! Jam's all done now. Two jars. Very very tasty. <em>Much</em> better than last year's! Will update post with a few pics in a short while. -cvj Aw….you’re too kind!

Jam’s all done now. Two jars. Very very tasty. Much better than last year’s! Will update post with a few pics in a short while.

-cvj

]]> By: Athena http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80807 Athena Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:32:05 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80807 Oh yeah, silly me. Forgot to mention that I enjoyed your pun in the post's title. I'll never hear that song in quite the same way again. Clifford, you are just too clever! : ) Oh yeah, silly me. Forgot to mention that I enjoyed your pun in the post’s title. I’ll never hear that song in quite the same way again. Clifford, you are just too clever! : )

]]> By: Athena http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80804 Athena Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:29:47 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/09/22/hope-you-like-jammin-too/#comment-80804 Really sweet story (pun may or may not be intended). Wonderful luck that you were able to harvest enough figs for a batch of jam. Tempting for anyone, I'm sure. Regardless, I hope your sister can come visit, as I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Really sweet story (pun may or may not be intended). Wonderful luck that you were able to harvest enough figs for a batch of jam. Tempting for anyone, I’m sure. Regardless, I hope your sister can come visit, as I’m sure you’d enjoy it.

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