While part of me will always be a city girl (basically, I just need to be within five miles of a Target), there is also a part of me that wants to be a homesteader — the one who wakes up every morning overlooking her sprawl of quiet farmland, knits her own blankets, carries chicken feed in her apron out to the coop and has a walk-in pantry stocked floor to ceiling with homemade jams.
Does that even exist anymore, anywhere? I hope it does. I like to think it does, and that maybe, one day, our lives will take a turn in that direction. Maybe not completely so (I just don’t really know if I’m cut out to have chickens), but in some ways. For now, I know I can make the jam.
Truly, anyone can make the jam: this spiced pear and caramelized onion jam, in particular. It may sound a little different, and that’s because it is — a little sweet, and a little savory, but all delicious, I promise you. And it couldn’t be easier to make. Some fresh pear slices, a few sweet and savory spices, chopped caramelized shallots and a pot on the stove and you’re already on your way to homemade jam happiness.
This recipe makes enough to fill two standard-sized Mason jars — so keep one in your fridge to spread on your morning toast, or add it to your grilled cheese (seriously, do this. Your life will never be the same.). Freeze the other one for later, either to use on crostini for your holiday parties (if you’re a fancy city girl/guy like that) or to give to a loved one as a gift. I think that’s the homesteader-like thing to do, anyway.
Head over to the KitchenAid blog for the full recipe and step-by-step photos. Happy Thursday!
P.S. Share your homemade jam recipes on Instagram using #MadeWithKitchenAid for a chance to be featured by KitchenAid!
I love the savory spin you gave this jam…I’m dreaming of a killer grilled cheese!
I’m so with you, sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live a quiet, modest life out in the country. I wouldn’t need fancy clothes or purses, I wouldn’t need to go out to the hippest restaurants, I’d just be content at home. Maybe someday.
I want to spread this jam on everything, and on a grilled cheese?? Oh my.
well , i am 83. I have 6 chickens, i garden, sew and cook, I also am an artist, so i spend a lot of time painting. . I do live in the city, so my ‘spread’ is 120×65. I want to make this jam, looks delish. carry on.
My mother taught me to make jam and I still love to do it – I definitely need to make this one! I feel like it has a place in a burger with smoked cheese…
I totally dream about waking up on a farm with my own beautiful garden and homemade jam! Haha – this would totally be in my well stocked pantry 🙂 sounds delicious!
Hi Stephanie,
I’m wondering if you think this will work with apples instead of pears? I have a huge bounty of apples from apple picking and would love to put them to use in a unique way! Thanks 🙂
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Omgaaah, you had me at pear + shallots. This is totally my jam (get it?? sorry…) Also I love the suggestion of adding it to grilled cheese or pizza, that sounds like heaven.
I love the idea of this jam in a sandwich with a baguette, some greens, and some brie. It looks muy delicioso.
Ohhhhhh momma this is keeeeelling me! I love this sweet-savory-caramelized yum sauce and if you tell me to put it on my grilled cheese, on my grilled cheese she goes! I die. Heading to KA to check up on the recipe!