Herb Jam Recipes

HERBY GREEN JAM

Steps:

• Remove the stems from the greens and herbs. Roughly chop or tear the leaves.
• Set a steamer basket in a large saucepan filled with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil and add the greens, herbs and garlic. Cover, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until all greens and the garlic are tender, about 10 minutes. (Tougher greens like collards may take 5 minutes more.) Remove from the heat and let the mixture stand until cool enough to handle (it's OK to let it cool all the way too). Chop finely (including the garlic); you're looking to make a rough paste.
• Heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the olives and capers if using and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chopped greens mixture, sugar, red pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, until the greens have cooked down and dried out some, about 4 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the lemon juice. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and sugar if needed.
• Let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

MOROCCAN HERB JAM

Steps:

• Put the greens and herbs and garlic cloves all together in a large steamer set over medium-high heat, and steam until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. (If you don't have a steamer, use a large, deep skillet with a lid. Put 2 inches of water in bottom of pan, add greens, cover and cook at a brisk simmer.)
• Set the garlic aside. Drain greens, let cool and squeeze out moisture; pick out the tougher herb stems if necessary. Put greens and herbs on a cutting board and chop very finely with a large knife.
• Put 4 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chiles and let them sizzle without browning (or use a pinch of crushed red pepper), then add the chopped greens, a pinch of salt and half the cumin seeds. The flavor is concentrated by cooking most of the moisture out of the greens; this will take about 10 to 15 minutes. (Stir the herb jam mixture often as the water evaporates; it will want to stick.)
• Turn the heat off but leave the mixture in the pan. Peel the steamed garlic and mash it into the pan along with the olives. Mix everything and taste; add salt as needed, a good splash of olive oil, the pimentón and more cumin to taste. The herb jam should be highly seasoned. Add more chile if it isn't spicy enough. Just before serving, add a squeeze of lemon. Spread on toasted pita or flatbread if desired. The herb jam can be stored in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for about 5 days.

HERB JAM WITH OLIVES AND LEMON

Steps:

• 1. Put the garlic cloves in a large steamer basket set over a pan of simmering water and top with the spinach, parsley, celery, and cilantro. Cover and steam until the garlic is soft and the greens are very tender, about 15 minutes. Let cool, then squeeze the greens dry, finely chop, and set aside. Using the back of a fork, mash the garlic cloves.
• 2. In a medium cazuela set over a flame-tamer or in a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil until shimmering. Add the mashed garlic, olives, paprika, cayenne, and cumin and stir over moderately high heat for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the greens and cook, mashing and stirring, until soft and dry and somewhat smooth, about 15 minutes.
• 3. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Mash in the remaining olive oil. Refrigerate, closely covered, for at least 1 day and up to 4 days.
• 4. To serve, return to room temperature. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Pack in a serving dish and serve with crackers or semolina bread .