Pomegranate Pear Jam

12.28.10

Gift festivities are over?
No. It can't be.
I hope everyone had a terrifically delicious Christmas with your families!

This year I spent Christmas time with the in-laws as usual. However, we had an additional member at the slumber party this year. She's 9 months old. Yes, it's my niece in-law named Cora Ann. She's such a doll and she brings lots of joy to the family.

We can't get enough of her.

Cora had the most presents this year. She beat everyone! It was really funny to watch her as she was enjoying the gift wrapping paper more than her gifts. The best thing is she knows when to pose for the camera!

Posed for the camera

This year we had SO many gifts under the Christmas tree at the in-law's. We all were surprised. Even Bella, she had 4 gifts! We took turns opening them which took us a while to finish for everyone.

Other than making hors d'oeuvres for Keith's uncle's (I will share on my next post), I made jam in advance for Christmas and New Year gifts for my friends. I have to say it's a fancy jam! It has pomegranate juice & seeds, pears, rosemary, and rose wine in it. Thanks to Pom Wonderful for sending me the juice a while back, which I just started getting my hands dirty with it. Pomegranate and pears are in season so they are easy to access. This is my first attempt at making jam and I am happy about it. Just like other stuff, homemade food always makes you proud of yourself. :)

Pomegranate and Pear Jam

Slightly tweaked from Cooking Light Magazine, Nov issue
Yield: 2 cups
(I bumped up the recipe to yield 12 jars)

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
2 cups chopped peeled pears ( I used bosc pears)
2/3 cup Pom Wonderful juice
1/4 cup white Zinfandel
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 tsp butter
2 tbs fruit pectin such as Sure-Jell for no-sugar-needed recipe
1 tsp minced fresh rosemary

Madison jars and lids

Directions:

• Heat a large sauce pan or pot on medium high heat. Add pear and Pom juice. Then add sugar; stir until the sugar melts.
• Add wine. Bring it to simmer for about 25 mins or until pear is tender.
• Remove from heat; mash with potato masher just to break pear apart. 
• Add pomegranate seeds and butter. Bring it boil.
• Stir fruit pectin and return the mixture to boil. Cook for another minute. Stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat. Stir in rosemary.
• Cool at room temperature.
• Pour into a sterilized jar. Close the lids and process finished jars in a hot bath (see photo) to seal it.

Add caption

Fruit Pectin

Almost ready!

Processed to seal the lids. When it's ready, it shouldn't have any air inside when pushed.

For my lovely friends