There are four ways to enjoy jam. Think crispy radishes, in season after winter, can also be preserved in jam? Apple hot tea, a popular drink at affordable cafes, can also be recreated with jam. Don’t just use jam on bread anymore; jam has four new uses and variations.

How is jam made?

Jam is often made with fruit ingredients like citrus and berries. The fruit is first cut and grated, then sugared and preserved to release its juices. The mixture is then simmered over the stove. The mixture is then heated and stirred until it softens and releases its pectin. Once it thickens, it is stored in sterilized, airtight jars.

How should jam be stored properly?

When using jam, always use a clean, dry spoon to scoop it out and avoid repeatedly touching the ingredients and jam. Sealing the container tightly and refrigerating it immediately after use will help preserve the jam. Repurposing jam in dishes is also straightforward.

Four Jam Dishes

Jam + Yogurt

Yogurt lovers will likely use this method. When sugar-free yogurt becomes stale or lacks variety, jam can be used to enhance its flavor. Simply add a moderate amount of jam to your yogurt and it instantly becomes a flavored yogurt.

The sweet and sour taste of jam instantly adds interest to yogurt, allowing you to enjoy it in two or more ways. Mixed yogurt sauce offers a variety of flavors, whether eaten alone, tossed on salads, layered in yogurt cups, or used as a dip for pancakes.

Sweet and Sour Fruit Dips

Western cuisine often uses fruit purees and vinegars to cut through the greasiness of meat. Consider using jam as a flavorful dipping sauce. Berry jams are particularly suitable for this purpose, and adding a small amount of lemon juice, olive oil, and salt can create a unique dipping sauce.

Boiled chicken breast, pan-fried chicken fillets, or white fish are common home cooking dishes. Don’t always dip them in pepper, salt, or Chinese garlic sauce. Try a different dipping sauce. When making sweet and sour dishes, you can also use jam instead of sauce.

Using Jam to Make Appetizers

Pickled Radishes with Jam

Radishes are especially plump in winter, making them a great appetizer with a crunch. You can also use jam to create a refreshing pickled radish. Using passion fruit, apple, or citrus jam, marinate diced white radish with salt until the water releases.

In a separate bowl, add vinegar, sugar, and a suitable amount of jam, adjusting the sweetness and sourness. Mix the diced radish in the vinegar and marinate. Refrigerate for 1-2 days to allow the flavors to absorb. Jam-scented pickled radish, cucumbers, and other foods make a great winter appetizer.

Jam and Cheese

Those who enjoy a juxtaposition of salty and sweet flavors can try cheese slices garnished with jam as a side dish. It’s said that the savory, rich flavor of the cheese slices and the sweetness of the apple and berry jam create a seamless balance.

For a more adult-style side dish, try using jam to create a flavorful clash. Experiment with whatever jams and cookies you have at home.

Flavored Jam-Flavored Drinks: Fruit Black Tea

Café chains offer an apple hot black tea that’s been raved about by many netizens! It’s said to be a delicious combination of apple jam and black tea. Black tea pairs particularly well with fruit, so using jam to flavor your black tea is a great way to flavor it.

Boil water in a pot, add a tea bag, and wait for the tea to release. Then, spoon in an appropriate amount of apple jam and mix well. Other options include grapefruit jam, orange jam, strawberry, blueberry jam, or mango jam, which all pair well with black tea.

For bitter wines like red wine, berry jam is recommended to enhance the sweetness and reduce the bitterness. Add diced oranges, apples, and soda, and these creative fruit cocktails are perfect for the adventurous.

Have you ever added jam to a sauce, drink, or appetizer? Who would have thought there are so many ways to use jam? Don’t just use it as a spread on bread; try adding it to a wider range of dishes and creating a variety of flavors. Do you have any other recommendations for jam recipes?