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The Perfect Pair

As I mentioned back August in this post, I’ve been working with Smucker’s® to develop some Pairings for their new Natural Fruit Spreads.

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The new line of fruit spreads – which comes in Concord Grape, Orange Marmalade, Strawberry and Red Raspberry (my fav!) – are made from the same simple ingredients you have at home {fruit, sugar, pectin} and are naturally delicious.

Over the past few months I have used the spreads on toast, in yogurt and oatmeal, in salad dressings and on sandwiches.

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A Pairing is the harmony of fruit spreads combined with unique ingredients that come together in a delicious inspiring bite. On the new Smucker’s website, you’ll find pairings that encourage thinking outside of the jar and imagining jam in new ways. You’ll find everything from Italian soda to savory sauces, all made with simple and natural ingredients.

Here are two of the Pairings I created for Smucker’s! I’d love to hear some of your ideas on how to use these fruit spreads in creative ways.

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When I was brainstorming pairing ideas, I asked my grandmother her favorite way to eat jam. She said she used to make a jam omelet for my grandfather. “I’d make a plain omelet and blob some jam inside!” she said. I took her technique and bumped up the flavor with a bit of sharp cheddar cheese and fresh basil on top.

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  • Eggs
  • Smucker’s Raspberry Fruit Spread
  • Shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
  • Basil, chiffonade

Start by preparing the ingredients for a three-egg omelet. When the eggs are beginning to set in your skillet, spoon Smucker’s Natural Red Raspberry Fruit Spread down the center of your trifold. Top with shredded sharp white cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of basil or your favorite herb. Fold the omelet over and plate with more herbs for garnish and some toast with fruit spread on the side.

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My next pairing idea was a new twist on the classic PB&J. Crusty baguette, almond butter, grape fruit spread, banana slices and shredded coconut come together in a hot + bubbly open-faced sandwich.

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  • Baguette
  • Almond butter
  • Smucker’s Natural Concord Grape Fruit Spread
  • Thin banana slices
  • Shredded coconut

This is not your old school PB&J! Baguette replaces white bread and almond butter, banana and coconut triple the classic flavor. Grape fruit spread adds a delicious flashback to your youth. Slice baguette into half lengthwise and save the top for later. On the bottom, slather on almond butter and Smucker’s Natural Concord Grape Fruit Spread. Top with sliced banana and sprinkle with coconut. Bake in a 400° oven for 5-6 minutes, until coconut is brown and baguette is toasted.

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There’s nothing like toasted coconut on a crispy, crunchy sandwich!

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Head over to Smuckers.com/pairings for more jam-spiration and better-for-you ideas, and share your favorite using the hashtags #smuckers and #pairings.

This post is sponsored by Smucker’s.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. One of my favorite things in the whole world is a simple breakfast of 2 scrambled eggs with sea salt on top (no veggies added in! gasp) and a piece of toast with a berry jam…something about the salty sweet is perfect.

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  6. egg + cheese + jam = one of the best breakfasts EVER. your grandparents know what they’re talking about! 🙂 glad to see smucker’s is ridding their stuff of corn syrup, tons of sugar, etc. i’m always wary of big-brand jams and jellies, but now i know i can give this one a try!

    Reply

  8. My family makes lots of homemade jam and comes up with lots if interesting uses. A few of my favorites are 1) mixed into chicken salad with a bit of mayo, chopped nuts, herbs, and chopoed craisins or grapes 2) spread inside my stepdads awesome crepes and rolled and topped with whipped cream 3) spread onto of a parcooked pizza pie then popped back in the oven to warm and get bubbly and carmelized = delicious dessert pizza!

    I also love raspberry jam spread on a rich shortbread tart crust with fresh tart berries on top. And spread in between the layers of crumbly jam bars. But those aren’t quite so healthy!

    Reply

  14. I think a pairing of sliced turkey, lettuce and raspberry fruit spread would be good. I make a sandwich with cranberry sauce…so you’d just be substituting the raspberry.

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  21. I so want some raspberry jam and cheese right now! Thanks for reminding me I’m all out. I usually get Polaner but maybe I’ll try Smucker’s natural line this week.

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  23. I need to try that omelet! Red raspberry jam (with seeds!) is my favorite (especially the Smucker’s) so I definitely need to try their new line. My favorite use for jam is really just a good ol’ PB & J – hearty wheat bread, Smucker’s natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy) and Smucker’s raspberry jam with seeds.

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    • Yay, for sweet and savory toast and avocado concoctions! I make peanut butter and honey sandwiches with sea salt and avocado. My husband thinks I’m weird, but it’s such a tasty combo. I tell him it’s my healthy fat sandwich. 🙂 Sometimes I put blueberries or alfalfa sprouts in there as well! I bet that it’d be delicious with jam instead of berries and honey, especially raspberry!

      Reply

  28. Why do I think jam in an omelette sounds weird, when I like a sandwich of a plain scrambled egg and jam, and sometimes a little ham, on an English muffin? I’m sure your omelette is delicious! I’ll give it a try!

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  29. Loving the omelet idea!!! Totally trying it out! Raspberry and Strawberry jams are always my favourite, a combo would be great! I made muffins earlier this week (recipe on the blog) with 100% fruit spread/jam in the centre!

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  30. Hi Kath,

    I love jam next to my peanut butter on top of my oatmeal! Taste like a PB&J! lol!

    I would love to hear your thoughts on sugar. Do you think that different kinds of sugar effect us differently? for example white sugar v. coconut sugar or maple syrup?

    I know when I have white sugar I can feel my blood sugar spike but not as much when i have unrefined sugars such as coconut sugar or maple syrup.

    Reply

    • It’s probably more the dose of white sugar than the actual composition. Meaning, when you have white sugar you’re getting more of it in one sitting than if you have something sweetened with maple. That’s just my guess. If you look at this chart, sugar actually has a lower glycemic index than maple syrup: http://www.fitsugar.com/Glycemic-Index-Where-Do-Sweeteners-Fall-3031565. Sugar isn’t bad for you – it’s just broken down. Have some with fat and protein in an overall meal and it’s barely noticeable to your body (so long as it’s a minimal part of the meal).

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        • It’s a simple carbohydrate verses a complex one. A monosaccharide verses a polysaccharide. A smaller version of what all carbs become in our body. .. eventually glucose and fructose in the blood. Which we need to live.

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  31. Both of your recipes looks so good. I am always looking for a way to get healthy food into my kids and husband. Your ideas will work, thanks!!

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  37. Mix raspberry jam with some vinegar and oil for a tasty salad dressing. And I was once served Strawberry jam and Pimento Cheese with crackers – seemed off to be (but was tasty), she said it was common in Georgia where she grew up?

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  38. Mix raspberry jam with some vinegar and oil for a tasty salad dressing. And I was once served Strawberry jam and Pimento Cheese with crackers – seemed odd to me (but was tasty), she said it was common in Georgia where she grew up?

    Reply

  40. I love anything Jacques Pepin does marvelous things with apricot jam – I always have a jar in my cupboard! One of my favorite weeknight sweet treat is a bowl of fresh ricotta cheese (full fat version) with a spoonful of raspberry preserves and toasted nuts or coconut for crunch. Nothing fancy, but perfection in my book.

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  41. Just wondering why they are calling these “fruit spreads” if they contain sugar. In my experience fruit spreads have no added sugar. This seems like mis-information.

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  44. Love it when you get a chance to make such creative pairings with a brand I use all the time. Goo Smuckers and Kath! So excited to try some of these combos – I might have to give the jam omelet a try tonight with some egg whites :). Kath, random question – do you have a relative who’s a scientist in San Diego? There is a (woman) scientist at UCSD whose last name is “Young” (I know that’s not yours exactly), but my gosh, her facial expressions and the cadence of her voice REALLY remind me of you. It was striking! I was thisclose to asking her if she was related to you, but then I was a chicken!

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  45. Hi Kath, I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and remembered that your mother in law has/had cancer. I stopped reading for awhile, but my mom was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer on monday. I was wondering what type of cancer struck Karen. She is in my prayers.

    Reply

    • I’m so sorry to hear that 🙁 Karen had uterine cancer and a recurrence this year. She’s doing well now after surgery and chemo/radiation. She just came home from 2 weeks in the Caribbean!

      Reply

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