Thanks to Elaine Steinhoff over there in Freeland, we have another recipe for raspberry-cherry conserve to try.
“This is from an old Kerr canning book,” she says. “And, although it does not mention brandy, I think it might help Linda M. Smith of Everett.”
Blueberries are the star in our second recipe. Buy them at the store or fruit stand, pick them yourself, or brave the bears and find a patch of wild high-mountain huckleberries to use instead.
Frequent Forum helper-outer Lavon Woodey of Everett shares the how-to with us and says, “As blueberries ripen and are abundant in the markets, a good topping for French toast or pancakes is this blueberry compote.
“I reduced the sugar and increased the blueberries from an old recipe. I like using the microwave because of easy cleanup. You must watch for boilovers. I do nearly all my pudding this way, and stir often until the desired thickness is reached. A broader surface — soup bowl or veggie dish — brings up a boil faster.”
Raspberry-cherry conserve
3cups red sour cherries, stemmed and pitted
3cups red raspberries
About 1/2 cup water
41/2cups sugar
1/4nutmeats
Cook cherries in water until skins are tender. Add raspberries and sugar. Cook until thick and clear. Stir in nutmeats 5 minutes before removing from heat.
Pour into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space. Adjust the caps and process 15 minutes in a boiling water canner.
Blueberry compote
1/2cup sugar
2tablespoons cornstarch
1cup water
2cups blueberries
In a microwave bowl, mix together the sugar and cornstarch, then stir in the water and blueberries. Microwave on a high setting until the mixture boils — watch so it does not boil over — stirring often.
Turn microwave to the lowest setting and microwave 1 minute longer, stirring often and watching as it will still boil. Add 1 tablespoon butter and stir to melt. Serve hot over French toast or pancakes.
Makes enough for 6 servings.
The Forum is always happy to receive your contributions and requests, so don’t hesitate to send them along to Judyrae Kruse at the Forum, c/o The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
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The next Forum will appear in Monday’s comics pages.
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