strawberry-honey preserves

Strawberry picking season is in full swing.  When I was a little girl, mom would load all four of us in the car and take us strawberry picking.  One time, us kids went a little crazy and mom must not have been paying attention.  We picked 32 pounds of strawberries.  32 pounds.  Needless to say, we ate a lot of strawberries that spring.  Chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry pies, strawberry waffles, and of course strawberry preserves.

So, this spring I decided to tackle strawberry preserves again and, when I found Simple Bites had posted a really easy recipe for sugar-free strawberry-honey jam, I knew I was in luck.  Canning food is one of those fuzzy areas were I like to use a recipe, not create one. Plus, this is really the first time I've done it alone, so I religiously followed her recipe and couldn't have been happier with the result.  Tastes delicious and I don't feel guilty about smearing it all over my toast since I used raw honey instead of sugar.  I've always preferred preserves to jam and jelly... Something about big chunks of fruit on my toast makes me terribly happy, so the only real difference in my adaption is that I chopped the fruit a little less. Preserves are the lazy cook's jam... or something like that. ;)

I love toasting a piece of Udi's GF bread, adding a smudge of ricotta and a spoonful of these preserves.  So good!  Enjoy and have a great weekend, y'all! 

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holiday round-up

Christmas is just a week away! Can you believe it?  I know everyone likes Christmas, but I really really LOVE it. My parents were military, so they spent a lot of time making our own traditions when we were kids. Every year we still repeat the same crazy traditions...  serving leg of lamb on Christmas Eve, opening new Christmas pjs, watching It's a Wonderful Life, and inhaling this amazing breakfast casserole my mom makes.

Jason and I got engaged two years ago on Christmas Eve and the next night we got 6 inches of snow. It's the only white Christmas I can remember in Chesapeake. As corny as it sounds, it was magical and wonderful and perfect. Now, I get to share in his family's traditions: an awesome midnight candlelight service, holiday martinis, and this really cute pickle and olive plate. Plus, we all go to the movies. 

What are your favorite traditions? I hope you are looking forward to Christmas Day as much as I am. Here is a round-up of simple, gluten-free recipes that might help you plan your holiday menu!

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banana coffee cake

This time of year is all about traditions.  I am kind of a tradition freak. My parents made everything so perfect during the holidays and even just during a normal week that I felt a little lost once I got out of the house. I wanted to hold on to those traditions, but in a different house with a different person, not every tradition fit. But after the ones that didn't work gave way, we were able to develop our very own traditions. 

One of our favorite traditions is Sunday morning breakfasts. Jason works most Saturdays, so we try to savor Sunday mornings.  Pajamas, fresh coffee, newspapers, the works.  And of course, breakfast.  Sometimes, we head to a diner and sometimes we eat in.  I made this coffee cake last weekend and Jason loved it.  I served it alongside a ham and cheese omelet and he just about died.  I have to admit, it was pretty darn delicious. Warm, cinnamon-y, and with just the right touch of chocolate, I'm sure this number will be a regular on crisp Sunday mornings. 

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