Just Jammin’…Just a Journey

I never thought much about a sweet delight I was introduced to at a young age until it became something I would learn to love. I remember a little something special sitting on the table at breakfast, taking boring toast for a better bite. Captivated as a kid, I was most familiar with the grape goodness smeared with peanut butter between slices of bread. As a chef, I never considered jam/jelly a palate pleaser to any cuisine. Was I wrong to think it was just a suggested sidekick to start my day? I remember picking fresh berries in fields, being lost on the land, looking for adventure, and finding fruit flourishing silently within the sticky vines. I never actually observed the process of how to preserve such perfection. I was a busy kid and never noticed the generational greatness prepared before me. I am always seeking new inspiration to elevate the ordinary and see new flavors evolve. The big craze of the charcuterie board left me unable to resist the temptation to take a new approach. Moving to the Texas Hill Country, I came closer to nature and its simple surroundings. I hiked the river banks of the Pedernales River while living in Fredericksburg, finding serenity in my surroundings. One day, I found a little fruit patch tucked back into the brush beyond the bank, flooding me with childhood memories. Thinking back, curious to create a bold batch of goodness, I gathered a small batch of berries begging to be seen. Peeking from their special space, they spoke to me with their bright colors and scent of sweetness. A bundle of berries to bring home to enjoy. I like them fresh, right off the vine, without elevating their existence. But my creative nature made me believe I could bring out their boldness. I want to put a twist on traditional tastes and challenge myself to try new things. I grow fresh herbs in small containers, trying my hand at small-scale gardening to gain my green thumb. Having herbs at my fingertips allows me to flavor a feast and enjoy indulging my senses. It began with fusing flavors to find the perfect pairing that packs a punch. Blended beautifully, the herbs and fruit present a subtle savory flavor found only from the freshness of both. Procuring fruit can be challenging in some seasons. Sometimes, the quality and quantity are limited, and I had to find the best between the fine lines of ripe and ready to process. I love the local farmer’s markets, where variety is ever-changing and less costly. After looking into reliable resources, I found farms and produce suppliers to sustain my secret obsession. Not only did I benefit from bulk, but also from local sources, giving me great fun in picking fruit with my family. Nothing is better than the fruit off the vine, which reminds me to respect the land, realizing we can preserve many things in our creative culinary quests.