A recipe for the journey into the shifting season
My perfect morning? It starts with coffee. Warm, bitter coffee. Preferably at the bar with a croissant, a barista in a crisp white shirt and black trousers and a lively lady chatting away behind the counter. But waking up at home with an espresso and a hundred olive trees before your eyes works wonders too.
After my coffee, I eat. And nothing comes close to toasted bread, brioche or croissant with homemade jam made completely from scratch.
Every season has its moment. So tonight I'm turning my last apricots (season ends in august) into jam. Just to keep the warmth of the sun on my table for just a little longer.
A simple summer essential to keep the sun on your table a little longer.
What I used
✦ Apricots (About 350 g, halved and pits removed)
✦ 280 g sugar (I used white sugar but feel free to use what you already have on hand)
✦ 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
✦ 1 tablespoon of orange zest
How I made it
✦ I chopped the apricots into small chunks
✦ In a large bowl, I combined the apricots with the sugar, lemon juice, and orange zest
✦ Gave it a good stir and let it rest for about 4 hours.
✦ After resting, I brought it to a boil and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes (stir frequently to prevent burning!)
The mixture slowly turned glossy and slightly thickened. To check if it was ready, I used the saucer test: place a little jam on a cold plate, let it cool down and push the edge with your finger. If it wrinkles, even slightly, it’s done. If not (like mine the first time), keep cooking for another 5 minutes and test again.
✦ Once ready, I carefully poured the hot jam into a clean jar, turned it upside down and let it cool completely.
And that’s it. Just four ingredients, a little time and you’ve captured a warm summer morning to enjoy during an autumn storm.
Why apricots deserve a spot in your kitchen
If you could capture the taste of an Italian summer, it would taste like an apricot. Bringing apricots into your kitchen isn’t just about adding fruit to your basket; it’s about inviting a little sunshine to linger on your counter.
Health-wise: apricots are rich in vitamins A, C, and E; a trio that loves your skin as much as you do. Their antioxidants help protect against UV damage and soften the signs of time, while their fiber keeps your digestion steady. And those natural sugars? They give you that perfect energy lift, just when you need it most.
Taste-wise: apricots are sweet, tender and bright. Freshly picked from a tree, they taste like summer. Spread them on a warm croissant as jam or toss them into a couscous salad with a hint of mint and olive oil. They belong both in breakfast and in dinners that stretch into the evening. They’re as versatile as the season itself.
Life-wise: apricots teach you patience. They remind you that everything has its time. Bite into one in June, and you’ll taste sunshine. Try the same in January, and you’ll taste the absence of it. That’s the beauty of the rhythm of the seasons; learning that what’s worth waiting for always tastes better.
Your turn
We all learn cooking in our own way. From our mothers, our grandfathers, a holiday abroad or a happy accident at home. These moments shape your taste, the ingredients shape your style. But taste and style are not fixed; they move along with the rhythm of your life.
A meal is never just a meal. It’s a memory. A moment. Your moment. So don’t think of recipes as strict rules. Think of them as gentle directions, little suggestions along the way. A here-and-now moment. And it's entirely yours. Because nobody tastes what you taste. Play with food, dance in your kitchen and find your own taste.
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