Sauces, jams & condiments Archives - Caroline's Cooking

Concord grape jam

Caroline's Cooking — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Homemade Concord grape jam is so much better than anything you can buy but is packed with that familiar almost fragrant flavor. This jam is wonderfully sweet, with a touch of tartness, smooth and spreadable, with no added pectin. It's perfect in a PB&J sandwich, on toast, in cakes, with cheese and so much more. I...

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Vanillesoβe, German vanilla sauce

Caroline's Cooking — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 14:08:09 +0000

Vanillesoβe, German vanilla sauce is a bit like a thin custard with a wonderful, gently sweet vanilla flavor. It's the perfect addition to cakes, dumplings, fruit and more. Plus it's easy to make and great both warm or chilled. Depending on where you are, you'll usually have a couple of choices that are pretty much...

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Stewed plums

Caroline's Cooking — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Stewed plums are a really quick and easy way to prepare plums in a sweet syrup with a hint of spice. The quick cook softens them and brings out the best in their flavor. They're perfect for breakfast with yogurt or make them dessert with ice cream. Tender and delicious. It may just be my...

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Carrot top pesto

Caroline's Cooking — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Carrot top pesto is the perfect solution for whenever you have a bunch of carrots with the greens still attached. Don't throw them away, but instead make them into a really easy, tasty sauce! Similar to a classic pesto, but with a little extra 'bite', and adaptable, too. Perfect with pasta, over roast carrots and...

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Strawberry rhubarb jam

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 25 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

This strawberry rhubarb jam is a wonderfully tasty combination of flavors, with sweet strawberry balanced with gently tart rhubarb. The textures also work so well, with the rhubarb giving an extra smoothness. Easy to make and easy to enjoy. Rhubarb and strawberries are both sure signs of spring, and they both also work so well...

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Creamy chard pesto

Caroline's Cooking — Mon, 01 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

This creamy chard pesto makes a tasty twist on your usual pesto. It starts with the same base of greens, nuts and parmesan, but then has added creaminess and fresh lemon for a bright, luscious sauce. Versatile and delicious. We're big fans of pesto in our house, in part as it makes such a great...

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Swedish pickled beets

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

These Swedish pickled beets are so easy to make and have a great sweet-tart flavor. You can enjoy them on their own, to top sandwiches or mixed in salads. They're a popular side for good reason. Given the climate in Sweden, as with other Northern European countries, the traditional crops are relatively limited. Things have...

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Butternut squash pasta sauce

Caroline's Cooking — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 11:00:00 +0000

This simple butternut squash pasta sauce is quick and easy to make. It's creamy, comforting and perfect with pasta or gnocchi. Plus you can prepare it ahead, too. This post may contain affiliate links, where we earn from qualifying purchases. See more details in the policy page. I'll be honest, this recipe originally came about...

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Lemon basil vinaigrette

Caroline's Cooking — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:00:00 +0000

This lemon basil vinaigrette is easy to make with just a few ingredients and adds a wonderful bright flavor to anything you use it with. It's perfect for various salads, drizzled on fish and more. Salad dressings and vinaigrettes are all too easily overlooked. I know some people can't really bring themselves to make them...

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Muhammara (red pepper and walnut dip/spread)

Caroline's Cooking — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

If you're new to muhammara, it's time to get familiar with this delicious red pepper and walnut dip/spread. Packed with flavor and so versatile, it's also super easy to make in your food processor. Hummus may be the most famous spread to come out of the Levant region, but there are definitely others worth trying....

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Apricot jam

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 12 May 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Apricot jam has such a wonderful bright color and the flavor is equally irresistible. It's smooth, almost aromatic and the perfect addition to toast and so much more. Despite having some fond memories of making jam with my mum as a child, it wasn't something I kept up as an adult. As much as anything,...

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Lebanese seven spice (sabaa baharat)

Caroline's Cooking — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Lebanese seven spice (sabaa baharat) is a blend of spices that add warm, aromatic flavor to a range of dishes. The exact mix can vary a little, and you can adapt to taste as well. You'll soon find you want to add it to soups, rubs and more. Many countries make use of the odd...

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Homemade grenadine

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 14:31:00 +0000

Homemade grenadine is easy to make and so much better than the bought versions. It's packed with bright color and flavor, and perfect to use in a range of cocktails and more. Grenadine is well known for adding a bright splash of ruby color to cocktails, but it is otherwise often misunderstood. Some commercial versions...

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Cilantro mint chutney (green chutney)

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

This cilantro mint chutney is the classic Indian "green chutney" that you'll find served in restaurants alongside appetizers and more. It's easy to make, versatile and with a bright, fresh flavor. You'll soon be adding it to everything. Many years ago now, I spent the night with relatives who are originally from India as my...

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Tapenade

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 12:57:48 +0000

Tapenade is a delicious spread/sauce from Southern France made with olives, capers & anchovies. It's easy to make and so versatile - try it on bread, in pasta and more. Many years ago, when I was still a child, one of my older sisters lived in Montpellier in the South of France for a while....

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Passion fruit curd

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000

This passion fruit curd is a tropical twist on the classic citrus spread. It’s bright and aromatic, with that familiar smooth texture. Easy and delicious! I’m not sure whether we always had some or not, but it felt like we generally always had some homemade lemon curd in the fridge when I was growing up,...

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Plum jam

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

This easy plum jam has a wonderfully sweet and fruity flavor, with a touch of warm spice. It's lower on sugar but that lets the fruit flavor shine - no wonder it quickly became a family favorite. In recent years, I have started to make jams at home a bit more often and even more...

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Raspberry vinaigrette

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 20 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

This raspberry vinaigrette is as bright in flavor as its color. It comes together easily and adds a wonderful burst of flavor such as to simple salads for a quick and easy side. Plus this one is on the healthier side, too. I'll admit, I've seen versions of this before and tended to keep away...

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Blackberry jam

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 13 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Blackberry jam is brightly colored and bursting with fruity flavor. This one is made in a small batch with lower sugar and comes together quickly for a delicious spread, perfect for toast and more. One of my main memories of summers as a child (apart from trips away) is picking berries. And, of course, eating...

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Traditional romesco sauce

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 10:20:42 +0000

Romesco sauce is a delicious, versatile Spanish sauce made with tomatoes, almonds, hazelnuts and peppers. Made the traditional way takes a little more time, but it's still easy and worth it for the wonderful depth of flavor. Great with grilled vegetables, fish, meat and more. More years ago than I would like to think of...

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Aji verde - Peruvian green sauce

Caroline's Cooking — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Aji verde, often called Peruvian green sauce elsewhere, is wonderfully easy and flavorful. It gets it's color from cilantro and has a little kick from aji amarillo, a popular Peruvian chili. Fresh, flavorful, and perfect over roast chicken and so much more. Nearly all cuisines have a few ingredients that you pretty much always need...

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Lemon curd

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 11:01:29 +0000

Lemon curd is a delicious spread to put on toast, but also a great ingredient in baking such as for tarts and on pavlova. Slightly sweet with a fantastic lemon zing, it's easy and delicious! I first shared this recipe a number of years ago when fruit curds seemed to be relatively unknown in the...

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Za'atar spice blend

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Za'atar spice blend is a popular and versatile mix from the Levant region that's also so easy to make. And once you've made some, you'll soon be adding it to everything! If you're anything like me, you may find your herb and spice collection has a habit of growing all by itself. Even at the...

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Preserved lemon vinaigrette

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

This preserved lemon vinaigrette/dressing is a delicious mix of tangy lemon and warm spice flavors. It works particularly well with crunchy autumnal/winter salads but would also be great mixed through couscous and more. As I mentioned when I shared my preserved lemon recipe, they are a great ingredient to have on hand to add to...

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How to make preserved lemons

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Preserved lemons are a common ingredient in Moroccan cooking, as well as other countries in the Mediterranean. They're so easy to make and add a wonderful salty-tart flavor and depth to a whole range of dishes from traditional tagines to salads. Many different cuisines have a few flavors that they often incorporate into dishes. Spanish...

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Smoked salmon pate

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

This smoked salmon pate is jam-packed with delicious salmon flavor and really easy to make. It's perfect to top canapes, as part of a cheeseboard or in sandwiches. I have always quite liked smoked salmon pate but it's not something I tend t have often. Then a couple years ago we were visiting my parents...

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Chicken liver pate

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 11:05:41 +0000

Chicken liver pate is a classic as an appetizer or on charcuterie boards, with a wonderfully smooth and gently rich flavor. It's also really easy to make and is perfect to make ahead for entertaining. These days, chicken liver pate is one of those things that might seem like a bit of a retro classic....

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Pear jam

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

This pear jam is flavored with a hint of vanilla and cardamom that add that touch of warmth but let the pear flavors shine. Easy and delicious! When I was growing up, for some reason it feels like we picked a lot of berries. I'm not sure if we really did, but I distinctly remember...

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Dukkah

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 10:03:20 +0000

Dukkah is an Egyptian blend of nuts and spices that is easy to make and adds a wonderful crunch and flavor to so many things. Whether you dip bread in it, use it to top eggs or salads, it's a delicious addition. I first came across dukkah many years ago and remember really liking it,...

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Pesto alla Trapanese (Sicilian tomato almond pesto)

Caroline's Cooking — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 10:00:45 +0000

Pesto alla Trapanese is a Sicilian sauce made with almonds and raw tomato. It's fresh, bright and so easy to make. Whip some up for a quick and simple pasta meal, perfect for summer. When you think of pesto, you probably think of basil pesto - pesto alla Genovese - which is arguably the best...

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Mango jam

Caroline's Cooking — Mon, 25 May 2020 10:08:13 +0000

Enjoy some wonderful tropical flavors on your toast with this easy mango jam. It is quick to make, has a wonderful sweet flavor and is the perfect way to enjoy mango season that bit longer. Mango has long been one of my favorite fruits, and one I am always excited to see come in to...

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Japanese pickled ginger

Caroline's Cooking — Wed, 06 May 2020 10:00:50 +0000

If you're like me, part of enjoying sushi is having the right accompaniments. And it's all easy to recreate at home, including the Japanese pickled ginger. Just a few minutes prep and a little waiting for that tangy sushi side you know and love. I've been a fan of sushi for many years, although I...

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Strawberry raspberry jam

Caroline's Cooking — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 10:02:03 +0000

This strawberry raspberry jam is a delicious combination of summer berries in a sweet, bright spread. This recipe makes a small batch in no time that's perfect to top your toast and more. I have lovely memories of both picking berries and making jam with my mum as a child. I'm a big fruit fan...

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Peach chutney

Caroline's Cooking — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 11:00:54 +0000

This peach chutney takes mere minutes to make, with a delicious balance of fruitiness and warm spices. Then use it with cheese, meat or whatever you choose! Peach and nectarine season is definitely a favorite for me. In fairness, I love pretty much all fruits and definitely have a soft spot for the strawberries and...

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Blueberry curd

Caroline's Cooking — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 10:00:45 +0000

Blueberry curd is a beautifully bright variation on lemon curd that's a wonderful way to brighten up your toast. It's easy to make, and with a gentle blueberry and citrus flavor, it's a great change from jam. Lemon curd is something I grew up with as it's relatively common in the UK. I think my...

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Rhubarb chutney

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 09 May 2019 10:30:25 +0000

This rhubarb chutney is a delicious way to use some of spring's brightest, if less-used crops. It's easy to make, with a wonderful balance of sweet, savory and warm spice flavors. Plus, it's so versatile to use. Rhubarb brings back childhood memories for me, almost as much as making Irish brack (fruit loaf) with my grandpa...

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Strawberry peach jam

Caroline's Cooking — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 11:00:00 +0000

This strawberry peach jam is a true taste of summer. Easy to make, with less sugar than your typical jam, it's perfect on toast and so much more. There's a place near us that we often go to for brunch at the weekends. It has some amazing dishes, and even the pancakes the kids often...

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Asparagus with easy blender hollandaise sauce

Caroline's Cooking — Wed, 02 May 2018 10:00:18 +0000

Hollandaise sauce is not just for eggs Benedict, it also pairs perfectly with asparagus. This easy blender hollandaise sauce is quick to make, so you'll have no excuse not to make this tastiness for breakfast, lunch or whenever. I think from about as early as I can remember having asparagus as a child, we had...

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Walnut sauce

Caroline's Cooking — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 10:00:57 +0000

Walnut sauce is a lesser-known Italian sauce for pasta that's easy to make and surprisingly creamy and flavorful given the humble ingredients. A great way to change up pasta night! Every now and then I get a little nostalgic for the farmers' market that was near where we used to live in London. It's not...

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Mango habanero sauce

Caroline's Cooking — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 10:00:05 +0000

Mango habanero sauce gives a wonderful sweet-spicy kick to tacos and more. Really easy to make, and surprisingly healthy, it'll be a go-to hot sauce. Over the coming days I've got a few more Mexican-inspired recipes coming ahead of Cinco de Mayo, including this mango habanero sauce. It may not be totally Mexican, but then Cinco...

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Chermoula sauce

Caroline's Cooking — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 11:00:16 +0000

This chermoula sauce is easy to make and packs a delicious flavor punch - fresh herbs, cumin, garlic and olive oil, it's great with fish, vegetables and so much more. If you are a regular here, I first need to apologize. I feel a little bad posting the recipe for my baked swordfish and asparagus...

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Apple bacon jam

Caroline's Cooking — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 11:30:06 +0000

If you love bacon, now you have a way to put it on everything with this delicious sweet-salty apple bacon jam. It takes a little time, but is easy and so good! This post may contain affiliate links, where we earn from qualifying purchases. See more details in the policy page. You might remember, if...

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Brinjal pickle (Indian eggplant relish/ aubergine chutney)

Caroline's Cooking — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 10:00:53 +0000

Brinjal pickle (eggplant relish/ aubergine chutney) is a classic Indian condiment that is the perfect addition to any curry. Slightly sweet and spicy, it's easy to make. When I was growing up, the food scene in Edinburgh wasn't that great. There were probably some better expensive places but there wasn't a whole lot of variety...

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