Spiced Strawberry- Banana Jam

I am not a jam person. But I just had to try and make this once. I tried adding spices like cinnamon and dried red chilly flakes to cut the sugariness of the jam. Worked well. I didn't even bother spreading it on a toast. Simply took a spoonful (or two... or three...) and licked it off watching tv. I shouldn't have added the banana at all though. It has a really strong flavour and even a little goes a long way. Banana lovers may make this jam using just banana.

400 grams of small strawberries, washed, patted dry, chopped

100 grams of banana chopped
350 grams of castor sugar
Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

Cinnamon 2 tsp, 3 Cloves, Red chilly flakes 3 tsp

Place the strawberries, lemon juice, zest and sugar in a large saucepan. Heat over low heat and simmer gently until the sugar dissolves.
Boil the jam jar for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
Turn the heat up to medium-high and boil the mixture rapidly for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the spices (powder the cloves)
Place a tsp of jam in the fridge and after 20 minutes wrinkle the surface using your fingers .If the jam doesn't wrinkle the first time but sticks to your finger like a thick liquid rather than jam, keep boiling it for another 5 to 10 minutes and then test again. If jam is ready then remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes or until the edges of the jam sets slightly. Pour jam into a warm jam jar till the brim (warming will ensure moisture is not present) and then let it cool completely before sealing.

Keep refrigerated.

I do not know how long this will keep. A month maybe. We'll find out. It's been about 20 days and the jam is stil fine. Maybe it'll last longer.

Experiment with spices you like. Add dry ginger powder if you like.

HOT DOGS WITH BACON AND RELISH

We had Hot Dogs for lunch last saturday. Washed it down with some thick chocolate milkshake. Simply fry your favourite sausage, slide it in a bun and there...you just made a Hot Dog. I did some additions to it to make a more filling meal.

We Indians are used to a full plate...chappatis, veggies, pulses (dal), rice. It needs to fill up your eyes before you decide if it is capable of filling up your tummy.

A sausage in a bun was too simple a lunch and my husband would have dismissed it right at the word 'GO' . Smart work was called for. So I made this multilayered, flavoursome Hot Dog. Really easy, super fast and makes it look like you did a lot of work. I added ketchup and spices to the sausage to give it added taste.

I had a packet of chicken frankfurters. This is what i did to them:

Heat a little oil. Throw in slices of good quality bacon and fry till it releases a lot of fat and cooks through. if you like it crisp keep frying till desired level of crsipness is achieved.

In this oil throw in thawed sausages. Add some tomato ketchup, black pepper, oregano and some red chilly powder. Fry till done. Take them out. You can add coriander powder and even garam masala to this while frying...it tastes good.

In the remaining oil throw in chopped onions and some finely chopped garlic.When onions turn transparent, add chopped tomatoes. You can add coriander powder to the relish to make it spicy. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add ketchup, about 1 tb sp for 3 tb sp of relish. Turn heat off and add chopped cucumber,green chillies and fresh coriander to the relish.

Lay lengthwide sliced hot dog buns on a tray. Put relish on them. Place a slice or two of bacon and a sausage each. You can wrap the suasage in the bacon. I tried but the bacon kept unwrapping. Next time will remind myself to use a long slice . Apply mustard sauce. Place cheese slices. Grill in hot over if you wish to melt the cheese. Serve. You can place raw onion rings in the hot dogs as well. Easy peasy.

Going to 'Gods Own Country' Kerela day after...so excited!!! Will stay in a houseboat in Kumarakom..yay!