June 5, 2024 Pinch Rosauers

Between juggling work, family, friends and social activities, powering through busy day-to-day schedules requires a lot of energy. Building meals around recipes packed with a plant-based protein such as peanuts or peanut butter can help your family come together to refuel.

In fact, at 7 grams per serving, a nutrient-rich powerhouse like peanuts delivers the most protein of any nut and contains six essential vitamins – vitamin E, folate, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin and vitamin B6 – and seven essential minerals – phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and calcium.

As a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed as a standalone snack or part of a variety of recipes from morning to night, peanuts can take center stage at the family table when it’s time to recharge at the end of long days. Start with an appetizer like Broccoli and Edamame Salad with Peanut Dressing, which can be on the table in 10 minutes, to hold over hunger ahead of a proteinpacked main course like Chicken with Peanut Sauce in Lettuce Wraps. Finish off the evening meal with Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Cheesecake as a better-for-you dessert.

Find more delicious ideas for keeping your family energized at gapeanuts.com

Chicken with Peanut Sauce in Lettuce Wraps

Recipe courtesy of Parker’s Plate on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

2 pounds ground chicken

2 tablespoons sesame oil

3/4 cup diced shiitake mushrooms

1 small onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, grated

1 1/2 t ablespoons fresh grated ginger

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1/2 cup water chestnuts, diced

3 green onions (both white and green parts), chopped

2 garlic cloves, grated

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped, for garnish

1/4 cup crushed peanuts, for garnish iceberg or butter lettuce, for wraps

Peanut Sauce:

3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce

1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

1 tablespoon soy sauce

In pan, saute ground chicken in sesame oil until cooked through. Drain if mixture is watery.

Add shiitake mushrooms and onion; saute until mushrooms have softened and appear caramel colored.

Add garlic, ginger, hoisin, water chestnuts and green onions. Let chicken mixture simmer on low.

To make peanut sauce: In saucepan over medium-low heat, mix peanut butter, brown sugar, lime juice, chili garlic sauce, ginger and soy sauce until smooth, warm and thinned slightly.

Fold into chicken mixture. Stir until combined and simmer on low until peanut sauce is evenly distributed.

Garnish with fresh cilantro and crushed peanuts. Serve in lettuce wraps.

Broccoli and Edamame Salad with Peanut Dressing

Recipe courtesy of Parker’s Plate on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time 5 minutes

Servings: 4

Dressing:

1/2 fresh lime, juice only 1/4 cup toasted sesame seed oil

3 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons tahini

3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon chili oil

1 garlic clove, grated

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated kosher salt, to taste 1 tablespoon hot water, plus additional for thinner consistency (optional)

Salad:

2 cups broccoli slaw

1 cup shelled edamame, cooked

1 1/2 c ups chopped raw broccoli

1/2 cup English cucumber, quartered and chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

To make dressing: In bowl, whisk lime juice, toasted sesame seed oil, honey, tahini, peanut butter, chili oil, garlic, ginger and salt, to taste. Add hot water, adding additional, if necessary, until

dressing reaches desired consistency. Set aside.

To make salad: In large bowl, combine broccoli slaw, edamame, broccoli, cucumber, mint, cilantro and peanuts. Toss with dressing to combine and garnish with toasted sesame seeds, if desired.

Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

Recipe courtesy of Parker’s Plate on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 2 hours

Servings: 8 (1 slice each)

Crust:

2 cups pretzels

1 1/2 c ups vanillaflavored waferstyle cookies

1/2 cup peanuts 12 tablespoons unsalted butter nonstick cooking spray

Filling:

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup roughly chopped dark chocolate

1/2 cup roughly chopped peanuts

1 pinch sea salt

To make crust: In food processor, pulse pretzels, waferstyle cookies and peanuts until chopped but not powdery.

In skillet, melt butter. Add pretzel mixture until combined with butter.

Spray pie pan with nonstick cooking spray and spread mixture on bottom of pan and slightly up sides; press down until even.

To make filling: In bowl using hand mixer, whip cottage cheese until lumps are smoother, 3-4 minutes. In separate bowl, use hand mixer to whip heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Add cottage cheese and peanut butter to heavy cream mixture; whip until combined, about 1 minute.

Top pie with chopped chocolate and peanuts and freeze 2 hours. Remove from freezer 15 minutes before ready to serve.

Before serving, sprinkle with sea salt.

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Bake Power Bars For A Late Spring Outing

BY DONNA ERICKSON

Neighborhoods hum and bustle with an extra dose of activity this time of year, and some households, like the Gustafson’s, seem to be especially on the go -- make that “on the run,” but in a good kind of way. Watching the action from the sidelines, I can’t help but be inspired by this fit family. Ranging in ages 8-14, all four kids play hockey, baseball/softball, and tennis, and two play soccer. Toss in the parents, and biking trumps driving the car whenever possible.

No wonder mom Angie always has her favorite chewy power bar recipe handy for easy reference. She and the kids enjoy making the tasty snack that is chock-full of healthy ingredients, including flaxseed, wheat germ and raisins. Reese’s Pieces are added to the mix, but she controls the amount.

“The original online ‘Ultimate Power Bar’ recipe, which has been passed from friend to friend, comes from Lunds, our neighborhood market where you can easily find all the ingredients,” she says. “But, like most recipes I prepare, I tweak the ingredients to suit our tastes. The bars are ideal for school lunches, picnics and rest stops when we bike around town with our cycling club. I don’t know a kid who doesn’t like them. Even the picky eaters ask for the energy snack.”

Make a batch with your kids and enjoy Angie’s version of Lunds’ original recipe.

ANGIE’S ULTIMATE POWER BAR

Makes 36 bars

3 1/2 cups oats

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup shredded coconut

2/3 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup oat bran

3 tablespoons flaxseeds

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups natural peanut butter

1 cup honey 4 tablespoons butter, melted

3/4 cup Reese’s Pieces

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, let one child combine the first 10 ingredients with a big spoon. Continue stirring while another child adds the peanut butter, honey and melted butter. When mixed, stir in Reese’s Pieces.

Spoon mixture into an ungreased 9-by-13inch glass pan. Use a spatula to pack and press it down firmly. Bake 15-17 minutes. Let cool, then chill completely before slicing. Store bars in stacks separated by waxed paper in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com.

Celebrity Extra

By Cindy Elavsky

is “Law and Order.” Does he have another show on the horizon? - Janet Y., via email

A: Jeremy has a new show premiering this Federal Bureau of Investigation. The series

Mr. Wolf has the procedural magic touch). Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki also star.

find it anywhere. Is it still on? And can you refresh my memory of what

SPORTS QUIZ

BY RYAN A. BERENZ

Jeremy Sisto Depositphotos

keeps it cool, and it feels even more refreshing.”

• Want to eat more fruits and veggies? Keep pre-cut fruit and easy veggie dippers like carrots, bell pepper strips and celery at eye level in see-through containers in your fridge. The more you see it, the more you will eat it.

• WEDDING TIP: To create a beautiful garland for banisters, use white or light-colored tulle, draped in sections and gathered with a lovely bow. Twist the tulle around a string of clear lights for an even more dramatic effect.

• To create an easy resting mat for toddlers, sew three pillowcases together in a row along the long end. When needed, stuff three pillows in, and it creates a long mat, suitable for naptime or TV time.

• Use wide, flat rubber bands, such as you might find on a broccoli stalk, to identify your drinking glass. Write each person’s name in permanent marker on the band, and slip over the glass. Another benefit? It makes the glass non-slip!

• M.R. in Wisconsin writes: “Chalkboard paint is a wonderful creation for creative kids. If you rent and can’t paint, you can purchase large squares of smooth pressboard at a building supply store and paint those. Then just mount them to the wall using mirror clips. The kids absolutely love ours!

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive,

1. What kicker from West Germany became an Oklahoma Sooners football legend when he made a 41-yard field goal in the final seconds to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 29-28?

2. What is the nickname of the athletic teams at the University of California, Irvine?

3. Who are the only two racecar drivers representing the United States to have won a Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship?

4. What Jamaican boxer, who briefly held the WBC heavyweight title in 1986, was bludgeoned to death by his nephew in 2006?

5. What South American national soccer team won a shocking upset over Brazil in a 1950 FIFA World Cup final match that Brazilians call “The Maracana Smash”?

6. Name the 2023 sports drama film based on the true story of five young Mexican-American caddies who built their own golf course in South Texas in 1955.

7. What team won the 1989 World Series that was delayed by the Loma Prieta earthquake? (c) 2024 King

Academy-Awardwinning actor Matthew McConaughey Depositphotos

Q: When is “Yellowstone” coming back for its final season? I don’t watch any of the spin-offs. I’m just waiting for the original show to return. -- A.W.

A: The wait is almost over for the second half of the final season of “Yellowstone,” which last graced our screens in January 2023. The delay can mostly be attributed to the writers’ and actors’ strikes, but there was also a major dispute between the show’s creator Taylor Sheridan and star Kevin Costner that most certainly was a factor. Fortunately, the Paramount Network has announced that production on the remainder of the season has begun and that you should expect to see those some time in November of this year.

Trivia Test

BY FIFI RODRIGUEZ

1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the community college in the sitcom “Community”?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which two countries in South America are landlocked?

3. HISTORY: Where did the effective end of the Civil War take place?

4. U.S. STATES: Which state comes first alphabetically?

5. FOOD & DRINK: What is an affogato?

6. MOVIES: Which movie features the character Inigo Montoya?

7. ENTERTAINERS: What is singer/ songwriter Taylor Swift’s middle name?

8. ANATOMY: What is the smallest organ in the human body?

9. LITERATURE: Which fantasy novel (later made into an HBO series called “Game of Thrones”) features a place called Winterfell?

10. GEOLOGY: What is the most malleable metal?

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

BY LUCIE WINBOURNE

• In 1925, a war between Greece and Bulgaria started after a stray dog crossed their border.

• During the 1917 siege of Jerusalem, the British, in an effort to capture the city from an entrenched Ottoman garrison, airdropped cigarettes filled with large doses of opium in the hope their opponents would be too stoned to fight. It worked.

• Holland, Michigan, has 168 miles of tubing coiled underneath its streets that circulates hot water in order to melt any snow on the ground.

• ChinaÕs Three Gorges Dam is so huge that itÕs slowed the rotation of Earth.

• Hard-rocker Ozzy Osbourne once fell asleep during a driving test and woke up to find a note on the seat that said, ÒYou have failed.Ó But give him credit for persistence: After 19 attempts, he finally managed to pass the test in 2009 at the age of 60, and then purchased a Ferrari.

• In Wisconsin, itÕs legal for kids of any age to drink alcohol in a bar as long as they are with their legal guardian.

• Dwayne JohnsonÕs beard in the movie ÒHerculesÓ was made of yak testicle hair.

• The Aztecs regarded childbirth as a form of battle. Women who didnÕt survive it were thought to rise to one of the highest heavens, the same one as for male warriors who died in battle.

• In 1986 a Soviet pilot made a bet with his copilot that he could land his airplane blind. He curtained all the cockpit windows and crashed the plane into the landing strip, killing 70 out of his 87 passengers.

Thought for the Day: ÒLife is like skiing. The goal is not to get to the bottom of the hill. ItÕs to have a bunch of good runs before the sun sets.Ó Ñ Seth Godin

(c)

There is a spin-off in the works that will continue to tell the Dutton family saga with current cast members Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser and none other than Academy-Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyers Club”). The yet-to-be-named spin-off is expected to premiere on the Paramount channel in December and start streaming on Paramount+ soon after.

As for Costner, he knows who his audience is. He starred and directed the Oscar-winning film “Dances with Wolves” and has done the same for the upcoming two-part western film “Horizon: An American Saga,” which recently earned a 7-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.

***

Q:Since Steve Carell has said he won’t appear in the upcoming new version of “The Office,” is he going to keep acting in movies instead? -- J.S.

A:Like many versatile and talented actors in Hollywood today, Steve Carell seems to enjoy acting in a mix of series and films. Unfortunately, his last series with Greg Daniels, “Space Force,” just didn’t gel with audiences, and it was canceled after two seasons. Now Daniels is creating a new version of his hit series “The Office” with an all-new cast.

This leaves Carell available for more series work. First up, he’s reteaming with his “Date Night” co-star Tina Fey in the upcoming Netflix series “The Four Seasons.”

He also just inked a deal to star in an upcoming HBO

BY DANA JACKSON

comedy series created by Bill Lawrence (“Scrubs”), which is “set on a college campus, centering on an author’s [presumably Carell’s character] complicated relationship with his daughter.”

Amy Gravitt, executive vice president of HBO & Max comedy programming, excitedly released the following statement: “The combination of Steve Carell and Bill Lawrence promises to be full of great laughs, warmth and charm. We’re thrilled to be the home for this long overdue collaboration.” ***

Q: Who is the actress playing Amy Winehouse in the new movie about her? Also, did she do her own singing, or did she lip-sync over Amy’s vocals? -- K.S. A:Marisa Abela (“Industry”) stars in the new Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black,” directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (“Fifty Shades of Grey”), and yes, she did her own singing. The actress took singing lessons daily for four months in order to sound like the bluesy Brit. “Back to Black” was released in theaters on May 17 and will be available for streaming at a later date. Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail. com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

BY FREDDY GROVES

GETTING HELP WHEN LEAVING THE SERVICE

Those who leave the service can be in for quite a life change, not only for them but for their families. The transition can be something of a challenge.

The VA knows this and has set aside $4 million to be used this year as grants to organizations that help with that transition. Additionally, the grant organizations are expected to match that amount, effectively doubling the money. The services these organizations are to provide include employment placement, interview training, resume help and more. Just getting help with a resume can be a huge step. Trying to translate your military MOS to its civilian equivalent can be daunting. Besides the grants to organizations, the VA takes its own steps. See benefits.va.gov/transition/transition-home.asp for more information.

The Military to Civilian Readiness Pathway (M2C Ready) is a twoyear effort: one year before you leave the service and one year afterward.

Part of M2C Ready is the Solid Start program, which helps veterans during the first year of leaving the service. They give you three calls during that first year (at the 90, 180 and 365 day marks) to make sure you know about the benefits you have. (A heads up ... take care that you’re not talking to a scammer. Veterans are often targeted, so beware what personal info you disclose on the phone.)

You can call Solid Start at 800-827-0611 or see benefits.va.gov/ TRANSITION/solid-start.asp. The page has lists and links to resources you can use. Among others, the sources include employment help, housing assistance, pensions, education, life insurance and getting your records. Don’t miss the link to the VA Welcome Kit at the bottom of the page. Get one (it’s a download) and keep it with your important documents.

If you’re not actually leaving the service yet and are moving from one duty station to the next, hook up with TAP o the Transition Assistance Program. Check the “modules” at benefits.va.gov/ TRANSITION/VA-TAP-Course-Catalog.asp for videos on topics of your choice. These are actual training sessions with resource guides. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

SENIOR NEWS LINE

By Matilda Charles

Saving the Memories

Many of us have created our family tree, hoping to leave something to the generations that will come after us. Having a list of the names of our ancestors and all their important dates is valuable, especially if you have a budding genealogist coming up through the ranks in your family. But we can leave them more than that. We can leave them our personal history, our life story.

If this is a project you’d like to consider, there are several ways to proceed.

You can acquire an old-school cassette tape recorder, a stack of cassette tapes, and start talking. Label them as to the date you made the recording and the general topics you covered on each one.

You can go more high-tech and use the recording feature on your cellphone. Be sure you know how to save and backup the file.

If you prefer to use a computer, you can type your information, save the files and make backup copies,

even printing out the pages. With typed pages you can make a memory book, including photos pasted onto the pages. The hard part for many of us will be what to talk or write about. What will future generations care to know about us and the life we’ve lived?

You might start by flipping through your photo albums and making a list of potential topics. Pull out your scrapbooks to jog your memory.

A partial list of topics to consider: beloved pets, living through tough times, awards you’ve won, elderly relatives you remember, important people you’ve met, your first car, where you met your spouse, fads from high school, the scariest moment of your life, best vacation, a childhood toy, inventions that have come in your lifetime, the first place you ever lived, the dumbest fashion you ever wore, the person who had the most influence on you, etc.

Ready to start?

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

KEEPING YOUR PET HEALTHY ON A TIGHT BUDGET

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I have a dog and a cat, and my last vet visit cost over $300. It’s incredibly difficult to pay for vet care on top of the ridiculous cost of housing, grocery prices and my own health care costs.

• On June 10, 1692, Bridget Bishop became the first person executed for witchcraft during the notorious Salem witch trials, after a trial lasting eight days. She had already been accused and declared innocent a decade prior to the hysteria.

• On June 11, 1509, England’s King Henry VIII married the first of his ill-fated wives, Catherine of Aragon. When she failed to produce a male heir, he divorced her against the will of the Roman Catholic Church, triggering the country’s Protestant Reformation. Catherine spent her last years in isolation and continued to consider herself England’s rightful queen until her death.

• On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen forced his way into Pulse, one of Orlando’s biggest nightclubs, and opened fire with an assault rifle on the predominantly gay crowd. Forty-nine people died and dozens more were injured in what was then the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.

• On June 13, 1805, having hurried ahead of the main body of his expedition to the Pacific with fellow explorer William Clark, Meriwether Lewis and four other men arrived at the Great Falls of the Missouri River, confirming that the party was headed in the right direction.

• On June 14, 1922, at the dedication of a memorial site for Francis Scott Key, composer of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Warren G. Harding became the first American president to have his voice transmitted by radio while addressing a crowd. It was not until three years later, however, that a president (Calvin Coolidge) would deliver a radio-specific address.

• On June 15, 1300, poet Dante Alighieri was elected one of six Priors (magistrates) of Florence, Italy, his native city. His political activities, which included the banishment of several of his rivals, led to his exile from Florence and separation from his family for 15 years, during which time he wrote his most famous work, “The Divine Comedy.”

• On June 16, 2012, China launched the Shenzhou-9 space capsule on a mission that included the country’s first female astronaut, military pilot Liu Yang. The crew spent a week at the Tiangong space lab to test systems and conduct experiments. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Hollywood

BY TONY RIZZO

Hugh Jackman (Upcoming in “Deadpool & Wolverine”) Depositphotos

HOLLYWOOD -- Are we ready for “The Death of Robin Hood”? Hugh Jackman stars as Robin Hood, who is “grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder.” Instead of the merry outlaw seen in previous films (notably with Errol Flynn), he’s a “battleworn loner, gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman [Jodie Comer], who offers him a chance at salvation.” It will be similar to the 1976 Sean Connery/Audrey Hepburn film “Robin and Marian.”

Jackman’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” opposite Ryan Reynolds, opens on July 26, while Comer’s

“The Bikeriders,” opposite Austin Butler, drops on June 21.

***

People magazine’s 2021 “Sexiest Man Alive” Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas (who’s sexy anytime) are starring in the musical comedy “Power Ballad.” It tells the story of a wedding singer (Rudd) and a rockstar (Jonas), and the song that comes between them. It’s currently shooting in Dublin.

***

It must be “Fate” that brings together “Pretty in Pink’s” Andrew McCarthy, Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway (“Network”), and “Reservoir Dogs” star Harvey Keitel for a suspenseful, supernatural romance. Dunaway’s reputation for being difficult didn’t deter director Franco Nero to cast her in “The Man Who Drew God,” featuring Nero, Kevin Spacey and Robert Davi. Dunaway also has the HBO documentary “Faye” available soon. It recently premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

***

Have they gone too far? An upcoming film

titled “The Carpenter’s Son” explores the rarely told story of the childhood of Jesus Christ. Director Lofty Nathan is basing this horror tale on the apocryphal Infancy Gospel of Thomas (dating back to the second century A.D.), which recounts the dark story of a family hiding out in Roman Egypt.

The son, known only as “The Boy,” is “driven to doubt by another mysterious child and rebels against his guardian [Nicolas Cage], revealing inherent powers and a fate beyond his comprehension.” The Boy and his family become targets of horrors -- both natural and divine. Sounds like a rocky road ahead, and we don’t mean ice cream. Cue the protesters! ***

Jennifer Lopez will deliver the “Kiss of the Spider Woman” to Diego Luna in the film adaption of the 1992 Kander and Ebb Broadway hit that originally starred Chita Rivera. The songwriting team was also known for musicals such as “Cabaret,” “Chicago” and “New York, New York.” Notably, “Dancing with the Stars” hoofer Tony Dovolani, who finally won a mirror ball after 14 seasons dancing with Melissa Rycroft (“The Bachelor”), plays a mob boss.

Backstage at a Hollywood talk show, Chita once complained to me, “My nails are all broken from climbing that freaking web seven times a week!” Lopez will need to use her stand-in to nail it!

ANGELA SHELF MEDEARIS KITCHEN DIVA

Photo credit: www.JasonCoblentz.com

Ah, it’s strawberry season. Late spring is that sweet spot of the year when the strawberry bounty is at its peak. This is the time when they’re at their juiciest, most vibrant and most irresistible. A fleeting season to be savored and celebrated.

And what better way to preserve this essence of late spring and savor it all year long than by whipping up a batch of strawberry freezer jam?

First things first, let’s talk about what makes freezer jam so irresistible. Unlike its traditional counterpart, freezer jam skips the boiling, reducing and cooking steps, making it a breeze to whip up. Also, because the berries aren’t cooked, you keep the essence of the flavor of fresh strawberries.

Here’s the lowdown on crafting the perfect batch of freezer jam: Prep, mix, set and store -- it’s that simple! No fancy canning required. Just pop your jars in the freezer and voila! Months of deliciousness ready to be enjoyed whenever a craving strikes.

STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM

Yield: 5 cups

Total Time: 30 minutes + freeze time

4 cups strawberries, about 2 pounds

1 lemon, zest, and juice

2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (3 ounce) pouch liquid pectin, for freezer jam

Wash and finely dice the strawberries. Use a fork or potato masher to crush some of the berries. They can be mashed well or left chunky. Just be sure you have 4 cups of berries total. Place them in a large mixing bowl.

Wash your lemon and grate 1 teaspoon of zest, then squeeze the lemon, hoping for around 2 tablespoons of juice. A little more or less juice

won’t harm anything. Add the zest, juice and sugar to the strawberries. Mix very well and let this rest for 10 minutes while the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar has dissolved, stir in the pectin, a little at a time, until well incorporated. Continue gently stirring for 5 minutes. Set yourself a timer so you don’t skimp on this step. Let the jam rest for 2 minutes. Stir for 2 minutes more. Yes, it’s a lot of stirring. If you have children, I imagine they would enjoy stirring jam.

Pour into freezer jam containers or glass jars. Allow room for expansion in your containers. Keep jam in the freezer for up to a year. Thaw slightly in the fridge before enjoying.

Some dos and don’ts: I don’t recommend doubling this recipe; make two separate batches if needed. I do endorse freezing jam in glass jars. Now, some may express concerns about it, but I’ve been doing so for years without a single mishap. Just be certain to leave the lids loose during freezing time and always leave an inch or so of space at the top of each jar to accommodate expansion during freezing.

Now, what to do with all this deliciousness? Serve it on toast or with fresh bread and peanut butter for a classic PB&J! Spoon it into some overnight oats, into some yogurt, or slather on scones. Or use it on French toast, waffles or pancakes! Make jam thumbprint cookies or cookie bars, or drizzle over ice cream. Smear it on some homemade biscuits or eat it with a spoon. Strawberry jam is the perfect hostess gift! Imagine gifting a jar tied with a ribbon and a heartfelt tag, filled with homemade goodness. It’s a thoughtful gesture that’s sure to leave a lasting impression. So, there you have it, folks -- the ins and outs of strawberry freezer jam. With a few simple steps, you’ll be spreading joy, one jar at a time.