Fig and Cherry Jam

I had some sad looking dried figs and wanted to do something with them. I also had some great looking red cherries. Bingo! A jam! Can you even do that with dried figs? (Yes, you can!) I put the figs in some hot water to plump them up, and then combed through some jam recipes for inspiration. Voila!


Fig and Cherry Jam
Adapted from Swiss Paleo and Pretty Simple Sweet
Makes about 2 cups

1 lb dried figs, plumped in hot water and drained
1 lb pitted and halved red cherries
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 30 minutes, until the fruit mixture is thick. Remove pan from heat, add the vanilla and stir. Let cool for 10 minutes

Process the jam in a food processor until smooth. Store in tightly lidded jars in the refrigerator.