Spiced Peach Plum Compote

It all started with the idea to make homemade applesauce in the slow cooker. I woke up early, peeled and spiced the apples, and left them in the slow cooker with the plan to return in the afternoon to a fresh pot of applesauce. After returning home much too early, due to a canceled class, it pained me to watch the apples cook so slowly. They say patience is a virtue, but it’s not a virtue I hold in the kitchen. So, with the inspiration to make sauce and small piece of time on my hands, I set out to make some kind of fruity sauce with the fresh fruit I had on hand. I happened to have peaches and plums. 

These were two summer fruits I had never cooked with before. I chopped them up and starting simmering away. Soon I was throwing fall spices in the bubbling mixture of peaches and plums. Sneaking a few tastes as I went, I knew I was onto something good. With the helpful guidance of Laurel and her recipe-saving fresh ginger, we had delicious compote in less than a half hour. But don’t take my word for it.  Try out the recipe below and spread a little of this spiced peach plum compote on a pumpkin pancake and I bet you’ll be glad you did.

Ingredients:

2 Peaches

3 Plums

½ C White Sugar

¼ C Water

2 Tbl Dark Brown Sugar

2 tsp Cinnamon

2 tsp Fresh Ground Ginger

1 tsp Allspice

Pinch of Salt

Splash of Vanilla

Peel and slice peaches and plums. Simmer peaches with white sugar and water on medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir in plum slices and brown sugar. Continue simmering over medium heat for 10 more minutes. Stir in cinnamon, ginger, allspice and salt. Cook until desired consistency; I prefer the compote with some chunks remaining. Stir in vanilla and take off heat. Allow to cool before refrigerating. Serve as a spread on toast or ice cream topping. Yield: 1 Quart (32 Ounces). 

Read More

DIY: Fold Over Elastic Hair Ties

It’s as simple as tying a knot. Welcome to the easiest DIY ever. By now you have probably seen these elastic hair ties just about everywhere from the shelves of Target to the delicate displays of Anthropology. If you’re like me, you fell in love with the multitude of colors available and the promise to leave your hair dent and tangle free after use. With prices as high as $10 a band (Free People!) it didn’t take me long to figure out how to make my own at a fraction of the cost. Follow the simple steps below to try your hand at crafting your very own fold over elastic hair ties!

Supplies:

5/8” fold over elastic (1 yard yields 4 hair ties or 2 headbands)

Scissors

Ruler

Fray Check (optional)

Directions:

     1.      Measure and cut 8-9” strip of elastic.

     2.      Fold elastic in half. Shiny or printed side out.

     3.      Tie ends in knot. (Dab elastic ends with glue or fray check to prevent fraying).
 

    4.      Flaunt your fabulous, new, dent free hair tie.

Read More