My kids all love helping out in the kitchen. It is something I strive to include them in. When my daughter Kate was in preschool, she wanted to bring cupcakes to school. The teacher suggested we bring the ingredients to the school and we bake them in class. How fun! My eyes were forever opened that day. How could so many kids not know how to mix batter? One kid picked it up with 2 fingers and swirled the fork around. As they went around taking turns, they each kind of stirred it. Then it was my daughter’s turn……. She grabs the bowl, brings it up to her side, places it on her hip and starts whipping with that fork. You could tell that 3 year old little girl had spent time in the kitchen with her mom. It sure made me feel good at a time I felt very less than.

Fast forward 15 years and I am still bringing my kids into the kitchen with me. Today we decided to make strawberry freezer jam. YUM! Each kid took turns cutting (I love my little knife from Pampered Chef), measuring (my That’s a Bowl from Tupperware has been around forever) , stirring, cooking and pouring (again my Pampered Chef measuring cups).

This recipe was quick and easy. It really didn’t take as long as I thought. And with a 12 and 15 year old supervision was minimal, except for the occasional, “He cut more strawberries than me”.

We bought these really cute little jars. They were only 4oz each. The perfect size, especially since I’m the only one that puts jam on my toast or dinner roll. Ready for a quick and easy recipe? Wait no more!

Strawberry Freezer Jam

• 4 cups cut strawberries
• 3 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup lemon juice

Ingredients:

Step 1 – Mash cut strawberries. We used a potato smasher. You could also use a blender for part of the mixture. Just depends on how you like your jam. Some fruit pieces or none!

Step 2 – Put all the ingredients into a medium sauce pan and stir to combine. Set to medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and boil about 15-20 minutes.

Step 3 – Remove from heat and transfer to glass canning jars. Leave about a 1/2″ space from the top for expansion when freezing. Most jars have a line towards the top indicating where to stop. (You can even use little plastic storage cups with a lid) Let cool to set.

Step 4 – DO we really need a step 4? Slather that jam all over your toast and enjoy! Store in the refrigerator. Will keep for up to 4-6 weeks in fridge and 2-3 months in the freezer.

Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; “

By cooking in the kitchen with my children I hope to strengthen their family bond and create memories that last a lifetime. – Concealed Carry Kim