It's probably no surprise that we LOVE our fruit jams! We love them so much that we offer three flavors of mixed-fruit jams in our core collection (Peach Berry, Strawberry Mango, and Tropical), and regularly rotate in seasonal flavors. Our jams are our #1 selling item at farmers markets, so we're constantly making (and consuming) them!
Now, we know it's highly traditional to use jams as a spread for breads, pastries, and baked goods, but this doesn't fully do this product justice - jams are so versatile! And Sweet Kee's jams are far from traditional. All of our jams incorporate multiple flavors and contain real fruit pieces. Since our jams are not-so-traditional, we're offering you a snapshot of our favorite not-so-traditional ways of enjoying fruit jams.
1. Fruit Vinaigrette: Fruit jams make a deliciously refreshing ingredient in fruit vinaigrettes as a salad dressing, fruit dip, or basting sauce. For a quick and easy recipe, try whisking together 1/4 cup of your choice of fruit jam, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tsp dijon mustard, and sea salt and black pepper to taste. Once combined, add in 1/4 cup olive oil and continue whisking until the vinaigrette is emulsified or fully combined. Refrigerate until you are ready to use or serve.
2. BBQ Sauce: Take your bbq to new heights with a fruit jam-infused bbq sauce. For an easy option, simply mix equal parts fruit jam and your favorite bbq sauce, and season with salt and/or garlic powder to taste, heating as needed to incorporate the jam. For a from-scratch version, combine in a small saucepan 3/4 cup jam, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp ginger (fresh or ground), and 1/4 tsp pepper. Bring to a boil, then stir continually for another 2-3 minutes until the brown sugar is dissolved fully. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes to thicken. Use immediately or refrigerate until you are ready to use. Note that this application is best when sauce is used as a topping or at the end of the cooking process.
3. Marinades: Jams can take your proteins to new heights when used as a marinade. We recommend creating marinades by pairing your jam with a bit of acidity (vinegar, citrus-based juices like lemon, orange, or grapefruit, soy sauce, and mustards are all good options) and an optional dab of oil to prevent stickiness and burning. Allow your protein to sit for a few hours (or overnight if you have the time) before roasting, grilling, or cooking. Our Peach Berry jam makes delicious marinades when paired with beef, while our Strawberry Mango jam is a great addition to chicken and pork dishes, and our Tropical Jam enhances fish, seafood, and spicy foods nicely.
4. Meat or Vegetable Glaze: Fruit jams add sweetness and flavor to meats and veggies when used as a glaze and are very easy to incorporate. Simply mix your jam with a small amount of water to thin it out, and apply as a glaze on top of meats such as pork, chicken, or duck, and vegetables such as root vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, beets), Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower. Glaze just before serving or lightly roast with your jam glaze to add a touch of sweetness to your dish.
5. Grilled Sandwich Ingredient: Ok, we saved this one for last because...well, we've been told we're crazy for this one. But we stand by it. Hear us out: the next time you're in the mood for a grilled cheese sandwich, try adding a layer of fruit jam on one inner side of bread before grilling. We also recommend this with fried egg sandwiches. The sweet and savory combination is just...amazing. You can thank us later 😊
6. Cheese & Charcuterie: You can probably guess this one from many of our other blog posts, but using jams as part of a charcuterie board or paired with cheeses is one of our favorite ways to enjoy jam. Fruit jams complement virtually any aspect of a charcuterie board, from meats and cheeses to nuts, fresh fruits, and savory elements like olives and crackers. For a simple execution, position small bowls of jam within your board, or drizzle or pour jam over a wedge or wheel of soft to semi-soft cheese such as brie or goat cheese, and accompany with a serving knife. For an elevated presentation, create a well or indent within the middle of the cheese to hold the jam. Check out our "Summer Soirees" article for additional tips on cheese & jam pairing.
7. Jam Cocktail: This one should be no surprise, considering it's clear we LOVE our cocktails. Of course we combine them with our jams! We find that jams work best in shaken and muddled cocktails, which allow the fruit and sugar in the jam to break down and get absorbed by the liquids in the cocktail. For a simple recipe, muddle 1-1.5 tbsp fruit jam of your choice at the bottom of a cocktail shaker, then add 2 oz of the spirit of your choice, and 2-3 dashes of bitters (for a sour version, also add ¾ oz lemon juice). Add ice to the shaker, apply the lid, and shake for 10-12 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass. If you're using Sweet Kee's jams and are unsure where to start, our Strawberry Mango and Dirty Peach jams work great paired with gin, whiskey, or aged spirits, while Tropical Jam pairs well with rum (we especially love pairing this with coconut rum!), and Peach Berry pairs well with gin, vodka, or even a wine cocktail with red wine.
8. Desserts: While this one may not surprise you, the list of desserts that jams can be incorporated into is too massive to list, and goes far beyond conventional baked goods. While jams make delicious fillings for turnovers, pies, tarts, and pastry bites, they are also wonderful as toppings or inclusions within frozen treats like ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato, and can be mixed with fruit juice or water, then frozen to create homemade popsicles. Jams can also be swirled into cookie, cake, or muffin batters to add fruit flavor, or incorporated into chocolate-based desserts such as truffles, tortes, or brownies (we highly recommend our Cherry Almond Jam as a delightful accompaniment to chocolate desserts).
Sweet Kee's core jam flavors include: Peach Berry, Strawberry Mango, and Tropical. Shop all of Sweet Kee's jams online at www.sweetkees.com.