A cranberry jam with a hint of maple without using maple syrup? How? Surprisingly, with fenugreek seed tea.
Fenugreek seeds smell and taste similar to maple syrup. The tea's natural sweetness compliments cranberries' tartness.
It's an unusual and sophisticated flavor. I'd sell it in a gourmet shop, if I had one.
Cranberry Fenugreek Jam
Text and Photo by Jac Kyles Baker
Makes 1 1/2 cups
Ingredients
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup warm fenugreek seed tea*
1/2 cup light brown sugar
Preparation
In a microwave safe mug or measuring cup, add 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds to 1 cup water. Microwave on HIGH 2 minutes. Steep for 5 minutes. Strain seeds from tea.*
Place cranberries and tea in a blender or food processor. Use the pulse function or chop setting to roughly chop cranberries. Do not purée.
Add cranberry mixture to a microwave safe bowl or 4 cup pyrex measuring cup. Cook on HIGH for 2 minutes.
Carefully remove bowl. Stir in sugar. Return to microwave. Cook on HIGH 2 minutes.
Carefully remove bowl. Stir jam. Cook on HIGH 2 minutes. The jam will be bubbling.
For a thicker jam: Microwave on HIGH in 2 minute intervals until the desired thickness is achieved.
Pour jam into a clean , dry jar. Cool to room temperature. Keep refrigerated.
Cook's Notes
*Fenugreek seeds can be purchased at international markets or online in large quantities. Use your favorite tea or juice if fenugreek seeds are unavailable.