Simply delicious: Part 5

One of my favorite magazines (and websites) is Real Simple, so I'm here to share with you some fantastic articles that I've recently come across:

7 Easy Kebab Recipes: These grilled skewer dishes are sure to satisfy any palate.

Favorite Wine Picks: It doesn’t take an expert to predict that wine bottles with bold graphics and snappy logos will be easier to remember than those with delicate lettering and traditional seals. But you do need an expert—or two—to figure out exactly how much more memorable they are.

Pickled Foods: Cucumbers aren't the only food worth brining. Here, some of the odder items that people pickle.

The Best Pickles: No need to scrape the bottom of the barrel. These six tangy, low-calorie standouts will see you through any crunch time.

How Safe Is Your Kitchen?: Are wooden cutting boards unhealthy? Is it OK to put hot leftovers in the refrigerator? Experts separate myth from reality.

Enjoy!

Jam on it.

Welcome, class, to today's Fresh Pick: JAM

Properly, the term jam refers to a product made with whole fruit, cut into pieces or crushed. The fruit is heated with water and sugar to activate the pectin in the fruit. The mixture is then put into containers. Berries and other small fruits are most frequently used, though larger fruits such as apricots, peaches, or plums cut into small pieces or crushed are also used for jams. Good jam has a soft, even consistency without distinct pieces of fruit, a bright color, a good fruit flavor and a semijellied texture that is easy to spread but has no free liquid. Jam can be used as a bread spread, a filling for pastries and cookies, and as an ingredient for various desserts.

If you've always wanted to know the difference between jelly, jam, and preserves, wonder no more!

Jam is made from a blend of crushed pieces of fruit and fruit purée.

Jelly is made from fruit juice. It is clear and firm enough to hold its shape when turned out of its container.

Preserves contain whole or large pieces of fruit, making them thicker and more fruit-filled than jams or jellies.

Marmalade is jelly with shreds of citrus fruit peel.

Conserves are jams made from a mixture of citrus fruits and can also include nuts.

Fruit butters are made from fruit pulp and sugar cooked together, but there is no butter in fruit butter. The term may have developed to describe the appearance of the product or because it is a spread.

Chutney and relish are flavorful, seasoned condiments with a consistency similar to jam. Chutney is typically made with fruits and relish is typically made with vegetables.

For some great recipes, click here or here or try this interesting vinaigrette:

1/2 c blackberry jam
1/3 c red wine vinegar
1/3 c olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp sea salt

In a small saucepan, gently heat jam to melt. Remove from heat; transfer to a bowl. Whisk in vinegar, oil, garlic, mustard, cloves, pepper and salt.

Pie.

Last Sunday, Marc & I felt motivated during a wonderfully sunny day and took a long, leisurely stroll from our apartment to the West Side Highway and Chelsea Piers. There's something about the sun gleaming off the tops of the buildings and along the water that really makes New York City look sparkling clean and inviting.

On the way back home, I had a serious jones for a piece of quiche and, thankfully, we happened on Little Pie Company on W. 14th Street (one of three locations). The moment we stepped in the establishment, I knew we found the perfect place to quell my appetite. The aroma wafting from the kitchen located in the back of the restaurant made me want to skip the quiche altogether and dive right into one of the luscious pieces of pie. Marc & I agreed to split a ham, onion & cheese quiche (which was served with a small, mixed green salad) and then anxiously awaited our piece of Sour Cream Apple Walnut pie.

Since 1985, the Little Pie Company has been delighting the palates of New Yorkers and visitors alike, bringing home-baked country goodness to the heart of the city. The savory, unforgettable desserts have inspired a passionate following not only among local residents and tourists, but also fine restaurants and specialty food shops. The Little Pie Company is where mouth-watering magic is worked over regional recipes from mom’s kitchen, straight out of the oven, straight from the heart. Each delicious dessert is created from scratch (no mixes), using only the finest, purest, freshest ingredients (nothing artificial, nothing chemical).

Now, I've built this up quite a bit and, yes, all in all, the pie was heavenly: the thinly sliced apples were wonderfully nestled between an even thinner crust and then topped with a chunky, buttery, crumby layer that I could have eaten on its own. However, I have to say that I was disappointed that the servers used a (gulp) microwave to warm up the pieces of pie served at the restaurant. Had I known this before placing my order, I would have opted to take a slice home with us and properly oven-warmed it like it should have been, like it was born to be warmed. I'm sorry, piece of pie, that I unknowingly allowed these people to treat you so poorly. Next time, little piece of pie. Next time...