Spicy Jam?!

At best, spicy jam sounds odd. In fact, it sounds downright strange and potentially awful. I first tried some during lunch at the preschool I used to teach at (I work in the office now). One of my fellow teachers brought in a sampling of her friend's spicy jam (see bottom of post for information on Connie's jam, it's incredibly good), and after my first skeptical bite of cream cheese and spicy jelly on a Ritz cracker, I knew I was hooked. I couldn't stop eating - even after my stomach started complaining and my mouth was on fire, I was completely unable to stop. Every bite was magical. It's just that good.

I began to look for spicy jam at the store, and I found few that were comparable in tastiness to Connie's Jellypeno Jalapeño Jelly. Because major jam manufacturers don't make spicy jelly, it's mostly produced at mom and pop type places in small batches, and sold at specialty stores. This particular kind of jam costs between $5 and $10 per jar, and it was becoming an expensive habit. I resolved to try to make it myself, being the cheapskate I am, and launched on a batch of it one night with little more than a few Thai hot peppers from my garden and an old apple left in my fridge. That batch was okaaay, but nowhere near spicy or tangy enough. I resolved to do my next batch right, and went to the store for some fresh ingredients. My apartment smells like one giant Serrano chili, but today's batch was a 100% success. I can't wait to share it with my parents when they come down from Michigan to visit for Christmas. Nothing says "don't mess with Texas" like spicy jam for the holidays.

Serrano Apple Lime Jelly

This is best served a little warm, on top of goat cheese. You can also use cream cheese, which is much cheaper and just as delicious.

Connie Schubert

P.O. Box 772

Fulton, Texas 78375

Phone: (361) 386-0162

Jams, jellies and preserves (jalapeño,

cranberry, habañero, pineapple,

mango, peach and strawberry)

Delivery methods: customer pick-up

Cold Toes, Warm Heart

I recently joined in on the Austin Scooter Club's first annual Scoot 'n Skate group ride from Southside Flying Pizza to Chaparral's Ice Skating Rink. Only about seven of us showed up (that's my scooter on the left), but it was well worth it. My skating skills left something to be desired...but perfection wasn't the goal here. While my friends back in Michigan were digging out of a snowstorm, I was frolicking along winding roads on a dry and balmy Texas night. Not to gloat or anything, but Christmas-time in Texas is pretty awesome.

I remember when Christmas was all about decorations, gifts, music, snowy days off, and loads of dessert. The anticipation of Christmas morning was almost unbearable, and I spent my days shaking gifts under the tree, and my nights awake, theorizing about their contents. Obviously, priorities change as you get older, and I'm happy to say it's no longer entirely about the gifts and the food. It's now almost entirely about the food. *smiles*

One personal favorite of mine is Cranberry-Walnut bread (served with cream cheese, of course).

I hope all (eight) of you have a lovely, food-filled Christmas!