20 ways to JAM…

1. Stir-in a spoonful of jam to your hot or cold tea for added flavor and subtle sweetness.
   
2. Brunch only gets better with a Bellini; add your favorite jam to chilled Champagne or White Wine.
   
3. Pineapple habanero jam is a quick & easy way to bring life to your favorite bottled BBQ Sauce. Best on grilled ribs!
4. Heat up your favorite jam, mix with a soy sauce and fresh ginger for a sweet & tangy Asian-inspired Glaze. Brush on shrimp, scallops, pork, chicken, or steak during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
   
5. Last minute entertaining? Wow guests with an easy hors d'oeuvre by pouring pineapple habanero jam over whipped cream cheese and serve alongside crunchy crackers.
   
6. Enjoy a bagel with cream cheese and your favorite jam for scrumptious treat anytime of day.
   
7. Spoon jam over a round of Brie, top with your favorite nuts {i.e. spiced pecans}, baked @ 350° until bubbly, and serve with a variety of crackers & croutons.
   
8. Heat a jar of jam in the microwave at 30 sec intervals {be sure to remove and watch closely)and pour over ice cream. Apple Pie jam is the best! ALSO: Add a few spoonfuls to a blender with ice cream and sweetened condensed milk for a flavored milkshake!
   
9. Brush pineapple upside down cake jam on a store-bought spiral ham every 15 minutes while baking until ham glaze is caramelized and golden brown.
   
10. Pour warm jam over pound cake or cheesecake, add a dollop of freshly whipped cream and sliced fruit.
    
11. Make a jammin' PLT by spreading jam on your favorite bread; top with crispy fried prosciutto, lettuce, tomato, and sliced red onion.
    
12. Balsamic grape makes the best grilled PB&J you've ever had! Add sliced banana for the "full effect."
    
13. Breakfast only gets better when you heat and pour jam over pancakes & waffles; top with a dollop of fresh vanilla bean whipped cream
    
14. Mix 2 parts jam to 1 part oil & 1 part vinegar (try white balsamic!) for a custom salad
    dressing; add your favorite cheese, fruit, and nuts.
    
15. Simple, elegant, and out of this world...Make small, neat piles of sesame almonds, sheep or goat's milk cheese, jam, and buttered croutons for a sure-to-please cheese plate.
    
16. Give life to your oatmeal & cream of wheat by stirring in a spoonful of jam.
    
17. Add a berry jam & fresh sliced fruit to your favorite red wine with a splash of brandy and club soda for sure-to-please sangria.
    
18. Fried green tomatoes become heaven on a plate when smeared with goat cheese and drizzled with pepper jelly or pineapple habanero jam. Sprinkle with sundried tomatoes.
    
19. Meatballs will be the life of the party when served with our famous sauce: Heat (one 9oz jar) balsamic grape jam with (one 12oz bottle) chili sauce.
    
20. Gemini Jams' Sweet & Spicy Ketchup: 2 parts ketchup, 1 part jam, 1 part Dijon mustard. Serve on meatloaf, hamburgers, hotdogs, etc.

Jam Thumbprints

Jam (as I have previously mentioned) is set to take over the culinary world any day now…

So get ahead of the curve, break away from mundane toast & jam, and start using it where it counts: Everywhere!

Where to start? Well, with the holidays coming-up I vote for cookies!

Here is a simple, classic, but dangerously scrumptious, Jam Thumbprint recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
   
2. Beat 3 sticks unsalted butter (at room temp) with 1 cup sugar until fluffy. {Using a large electric mixer is best but if you only have a hand-held, that will work too}
   
3. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste {or vanilla extract}. Beat mixture briefly until combined.
   
4. Sift (or simply whisk) 3 ¾ cups all purpose flour with ¼ teaspoon sea salt.
   
5. With mixer on low speed, slowly add flour to butter/sugar mixture until dough begins to form a ball.
   
6. Remove dough from mixer onto floured surface. Form ball. Cut in half. Wrap each half in plastic and chill for 40 minutes. {Sorry, you can't skip this step…believe me, I've tried}
7. Remove chilled dough and roll into uniform 1 inch balls. Place each ball onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Press thumb into the middle of each ball.
8. Fill each indentation with your favorite Gemini Jam. {I recommend raspberry plum}
9. Brush each cookie with a simple egg wash {1 egg yolk and a 1
   tsp of cream}.
10. Bake for 20 minutes. Check. If needed, bake for another 5 minutes.
11. Allow cookies to cool on rack.
    
12. Try not to eat all of them before your guests arrive ;)