View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Melissa K Norris (@melissaknorris)

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries
• 4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Top Shelf Preserves (@topshelfpreserves)

Instructions:

1. Rinse and hull strawberries, cutting large ones in half for even cooking. 
2. Mash them in a pot for a chunky texture, then add sugar and lemon juice. The lemon juice sets the jam by reacting with the pectin. 
3. Boil the mixture, stirring to prevent sticking, then simmer for 20-25 minutes until thickened.
4. Meanwhile, sterilize jars and lids by boiling or in a hot dishwasher cycle. 
5. Ladle the jam into jars, leaving a 1/4 inch of space at the top, and secure the lids. 
6. For a good seal, process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, though you can skip this if you’re not planning to store the jam for a long time. 
7. Let the jars cool, checking the seal by pressing the lid—it shouldn’t pop back. 
8. Store in a cool, dark place for up to a year, refrigerating after opening.

The post The Best Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

But one component that sometimes falls flat is its usual condiment, ketchup. If you want to take a classic and make it really stand out in a crowd, here’s a tip to add a unique topping to rival anything coming out of a red glass bottle.

Strawberry Burgers Forever

No, we’re not talking about breakfast toast toppings or a sandwich partner for peanut butter. Doctor up some strawberry jam to make your own sweet, tangy and savory burger sauce. Think about it … strawberries actually have a flavor profile very similar to tomatoes. And ketchup is mostly made out of corn syrup, so sweetness is already a part of a classic burger’s allure.

To make strawberry ketchup, dump a small jar of seedless strawberry jam or preserves into a saucepan. Add:

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• a squirt of hot sauce (I love to use the sweet heat of sriracha)
• pinch of ground cloves
• dash of kosher salt
• few grinds of cracked black pepper

Warm over low heat until nicely combined. Cool the mixture while you prep the burgers.

A Classic Burger Base, With a Twist

Always use high-quality meat freshly ground from your butcher. Anything pre-packaged starts to oxidize and you can quickly lose flavor. Season the patties well with salt and pepper. This is crucial!

Cook to your desired doneness in a hot pan. Try a creamy cheese that’ll pair well with fruitiness, such as provolone or gouda. Since there is a lot of flavor in the spread, all you really need is some crisp lettuce to top it off. If you are really feeling the strawberry love, a few slices of ripe berries won’t hurt, either.

Serve on lightly toasted buns, with extra strawberry ketchup on the side.

Enjoy your new life.

The post Elevate Your Next Burger With This Sweet And Savory Trick appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Melissa K Norris (@melissaknorris)

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries
• 4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Top Shelf Preserves (@topshelfpreserves)

Instructions:

1. Rinse and hull strawberries, cutting large ones in half for even cooking. 
2. Mash them in a pot for a chunky texture, then add sugar and lemon juice. The lemon juice sets the jam by reacting with the pectin. 
3. Boil the mixture, stirring to prevent sticking, then simmer for 20-25 minutes until thickened.
4. Meanwhile, sterilize jars and lids by boiling or in a hot dishwasher cycle. 
5. Ladle the jam into jars, leaving a 1/4 inch of space at the top, and secure the lids. 
6. For a good seal, process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, though you can skip this if you’re not planning to store the jam for a long time. 
7. Let the jars cool, checking the seal by pressing the lid—it shouldn’t pop back. 
8. Store in a cool, dark place for up to a year, refrigerating after opening.

The post The Best Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

But one component that sometimes falls flat is its usual condiment, ketchup. If you want to take a classic and make it really stand out in a crowd, here’s a tip to add a unique topping to rival anything coming out of a red glass bottle.

Strawberry Burgers Forever

No, we’re not talking about breakfast toast toppings or a sandwich partner for peanut butter. Doctor up some strawberry jam to make your own sweet, tangy and savory burger sauce. Think about it … strawberries actually have a flavor profile very similar to tomatoes. And ketchup is mostly made out of corn syrup, so sweetness is already a part of a classic burger’s allure.

To make strawberry ketchup, dump a small jar of seedless strawberry jam or preserves into a saucepan. Add:

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• a squirt of hot sauce (I love to use the sweet heat of sriracha)
• pinch of ground cloves
• dash of kosher salt
• few grinds of cracked black pepper

Warm over low heat until nicely combined. Cool the mixture while you prep the burgers.

A Classic Burger Base, With a Twist

Always use high-quality meat freshly ground from your butcher. Anything pre-packaged starts to oxidize and you can quickly lose flavor. Season the patties well with salt and pepper. This is crucial!

Cook to your desired doneness in a hot pan. Try a creamy cheese that’ll pair well with fruitiness, such as provolone or gouda. Since there is a lot of flavor in the spread, all you really need is some crisp lettuce to top it off. If you are really feeling the strawberry love, a few slices of ripe berries won’t hurt, either.

Serve on lightly toasted buns, with extra strawberry ketchup on the side.

Enjoy your new life.

The post Elevate Your Next Burger With This Sweet And Savory Trick appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.