Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Month that needs Lipstick

Making red things in February is like putting lipstick on an endless gray day.  Here's a cheery "red thing": strawberry and blood orange marmalade from the "Blue Chair Jam Cookbook". Cookbooks are a bit of a weakness of mine--can you tell? My husband once asked the question, "How many cookbooks does one woman need?" I proceeded to make him an "epic meal" (she said modestly) from one of the books.  After practically licking the plate clean, he said, "Let's forget about that silly question I asked earlier." What's that, dear? I didn't hear you. HA.  
  

Anyways, I thought it would be fun to show you some of the books I've collected over nearly thirty-two years of domesticity and we can pretend to make some things together. 


This cookbook is visually gorgeous, unlike my own pix--sorry, my camera has died and I'm using my phone.  The directions are somewhat fiddle-y in my opinion, but if you relax and take your time, it's not so bad.


Not only do I like the recipes, but I try not to covet the clothing the author wears.  All the photographs in the book are inspiring and pret-tay. 

Photo from The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook!
*photo from Blue Chair Jam Cookbook via Pinterest



Okay, back to the marmalade.



It tastes delicious, but I have to be honest and tell you, the outcome wasn't so "epic."  I forgot to relax and rushed the end a bit.  Since it didn't cook it long enough, it never quite jelled properly.  My mistake.



This didn't affect the flavor, though. I'm still spooning it on toast. Yum! And I'm thinking it might make a tasty marinade for meat. 


 Soon, I hope to pull another book from the stack, and invite you to a virtual tea party.
Wanna come?  


29 comments:

amy said...

We have been planning a tea party for a couple years now haven't we? It's one of those things that just. has. to happen someday...

em said...

Yes,this gray morning would benefit from some red, but I haven't figured where to find it - not yet.
Cookbooks are nice, aren't they - I don't understand why and how, I've managed to collect so many - especially since I'm not very interested in cooking...
Margaretha

Janie Fox said...

I am there!

Southern Gal said...

I'll be there with bells on!

Maybe the rushing at the end thing is why my husband's mom and grandmom's jams and jellies never really gelled? Rebekah wants to try it this summer. We'll see.

Lucy@heart and hearth said...

Yes, I want to come.
I'd love to smile and learn with you...
yummy marmalade. cookbooks are great! hopefully they won't all be replaced by ' google'...

Jodi said...

Amy, yes IT WILL happen.xx

Jodi said...

Margaretha!I've missed you. :) I think it's because you love to read.I have a few Cookbooks that feel more like novels then cookbooks.

Jodi said...

Janie, I'm counting on it!

Jodi said...

Southern Gal, "gelled" hahahahah maybe that's why it didn't work...haha. I'll be listining for the bells.

Jodi said...

Lucy, do come, and yes I agree. Although I do have one book on my E-reader. eeep.

Kit said...

I want to come, Jodi!!

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Yes, you are right. I never thought of this, but we need red to counteract the grayness that is too much of February. I also have too many cookbooks, and give some away from time to time. But I especially like the chatty sort and don't want to part with them.

I thought I'd lost my camera, but when I asked my son if he had seen it he confessed that he had borrowed it. Hope you find yours soon!

Jodi said...

Kit, yay!

Jodi said...

Kristi, I'm afraid my camera is gone for good. I killed it by dropping it to many times. I a tad klutzy.

Leslie said...

Mmmmmm... that looks extremely yummy. (And since I enjoy most of my food "virtually" anyway, this is the perfect food post for me ;)

I'm picking out my dress for the tea party now. Perhaps something red? Happy Valentine's Day, Jodi!

P.S. LOVE that rooster mug.

Kim said...

Ha! I know what you mean about coveting the clothing, when the kids come in and see me donning some ridiculous garb, they know there is a surprise for supper :) Never say, "it didn't jell properly" rather, " this strawberry and blood orange filling slathered between layers of the butter layer cake is fabulous" don't you think?

Jodi said...

Kim, Perfect. :)

Cheryl said...

The photos have that effect on me too!

I rushed marmalade one year. Lots of grumbles from the rest of the family, so I reboiled it. Bit of a hassle, but it was worth it. Never rushed it again though!

Oh, any kind of tea party sounds good to me!

Jodi said...

Leslie, definitely a red dress!

Jodi said...

Cheryl, reboiling hmmmmm. It's good to know that can be done,thanks!

Niamh said...

I would say that people who complain about rainy/snowy/gray days are suffering from too much of a good thing, but living where the sun always shines, I suffer from too much of a good thing too. Sunny February days disgust me.

Dewena said...

I love cookbooks too and my husband gave up a long time ago fussing about them! I hope you do continue showing us your cookbook collection as this is right down my alley. Actually, every thing I've seen you do is right down my alley even though I'm all thumbs when it comes to any kind of art or craft attempt.

That marmalade would probably be perfect matched with pork tenderloin!

Jodi said...

Niamh, so I guess you won't be walking on the sunny side of the street? Haha. Love you.

Jodi said...

Dewena, thank you, I will. And I agree; pork tenderloin would probably be awesome with the marmalade.

Val said...

That looks super delicious....gosh

(Can I confess I love cook books too)

Jodi said...

Val, yes you can. Your secret's safe with me.

It's Just Dottie said...

It looks so very good. I share your love of cookbooks. Smiles., Dottie

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

You bet, I'll put on my wings and fly right over. Yes, I noticed that dress right away as I was browsing your photos. It is very covetable. Love all those cookbooks you've got too.

Amy said...

I love the Blue Chair Jam Cookbook! But have I made anything from it? No. Just love the look. I have a weakness for cookbooks too, but some just because they're pretty. I sometimes feel shallow. But then I figure I'm supporting an important industry of beautiful cookbooks whether or not I make the recipes:) I could see Apples for Jam on your shelf as well. That's another beautiful but I don't cook out of it one I own. Not because they're not amazing--I have kitchen/cooking issues. I'd like to taste your fixings so very much. I am taking the Beauty that Moves Whole Food Kitchen workshop right now to improve. Loving it!

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