My Favourite Jam. A true, Rare Aussie Delight.

 

Unique, Sweet Story Telling

I like all sorts of jam (conserve, preserve, jelly, spread, confiture). 

I grew up having it on sandwiches for lunch at school, on toast for breakfast and special occasions with scones and cream. But I have discovered a jam that is by far the most pleasing when I get a chance to enjoy it. Perhaps these few thoughts may be inspiration for you to look beyond your usual, safe jam. 

I hope to inspire adventure in your writing enjoyment.

This is my favourite jam.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

•              700 g Fruit (revealed below)

•              700 g sugar

•              1 lemon or orange, juiced

•              ½ vanilla pod, cut in half lengthways

Instructions

1.            Start off by washing your fruit

2.            Put the washed whole fruit into a a non reactive stockpot with the lemon/orange juice and                   water. Bring slowly to a gentle simmer.

3.            Cook the fruit over medium heat for about 30 minutes until they change colour, release their                 juice and become very soft. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

4.            Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

5.            Once cool, squish the fruit with your fingers and remove the seeds from each fruit. Discard the             seeds and keep the fruit, skins and juice, adding them back to the non reactive pot.

                Weigh the fruit and add equal parts sugar.

                500g = 500g sugar etc.

6.            Add lemon juice and vanilla pod and heat the mixture over a moderate heat.

                Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves.

                Bring to a light rolling boil and allow to simmer for an hour or until the mixture has slightly                     thickened.

 7.            Test the mixture by putting a small amount on a saucer and place in the freezer for a minute to                 see if it sets.

8.            During the last phase of jelly cooking, clean and boil your jars and lids ready for the jelly.                         They need a good rolling 10 minute boil and should be used hot when filling with the jelly.

9.            Once the mixture is ready, pour out into to jars.

                Put the lids on immediately and allow to cool before storing.

 

The Special Ingredient Revealed

•              The fruit : DAVIDSON PLUMS

 

Davidson Plum jam is a rare preserve as the fruit has traditionally only been found growing on native trees endemic to limited rainforest micro-climate environments of Queensland and the  North Eastern part of New South Wales. This beautiful palm shaped tree has graceful fronds with fine hairy stems and on the underside of leaves. It produces clusters of large dark blue to black brilliant coloured fruit that resemble plums 4-5cm in diameter. It is one of the thousands of native edible plants, yet not many people know this. It was enjoyed by Aboriginal people and is now popular with chefs around the country – particularly for jams, sauces, chutneys and even wine. The dark red flesh contains two unusual flat seeds and has a wonderfully acidic plum flavour. The skin is thin but on the tougher, leathery side, and is covered with very fine hairs.  It might resemble the shape of the European plum, but they are not closely related and the native plum is far more sour than the fruit we are used to.

 There are three identified species of Davidson Plums (Davidsonia)  Davidsonia jerseyana, Davidsonia johnsonii and Davidsonia pruriens. All three trees are slender, but D. pruriens, also known as Ooray or Queensland Davidson’s plum, is tallest, growing up to 12 metres high. There are a few small-scale plantations producing the fruit in New South Wales and Queensland.  D. jerseyana, native to lowland subtropical NSW, is considered endangered in the wild, but is widely cultivated. It reaches five metres high. D. johnsonii is a small tree with a spreading canopy and smooth leaves, also considered an endangered species in the wild.

Health Benefits

In 2009 the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) – now AgriFutures Australia released  the a report on the evaluation of health benefits of Australian native foods. This report makes for compelling reading when considering the health benefits of the OORAY fruit (Davidsonia pruriens).The report states:

“Native species evaluated in this study exhibited superior antioxidant capacity as compared to the Blueberry standard, renowned worldwide as the ‘health-promoting fruit.’ In comparison to commonly consumed fruits that comprise predominantly hydrophilic antioxidants, native foods contained antioxidant activity in both hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions. This suggests more comprehensive protection from oxidative stress, and possibly more pronounced health benefits.”

In 2012 RIRDC  released a further report on the evaluation of the The Potential Physiological Activities of Selected Australian Herbs and Fruits. This report contains a substantial amount of information regarding possible health benefits of OORAY. One of the impressive things going for the Davidson’s plum is its nutrients. It has more antioxidants than the blueberry, which is known worldwide for health benefits. It also contains potassium, lutein (a compound important for eye health), vitamin E, folate, zinc, magnesium and calcium. It is best to eat the skin as well as the flesh of the fruit as the skin contains most of the nutrients.

Another benefit of Davidson’s plum is its intense colouring which can act as a natural food colour.Meanwhile, research is being done into its preservative properties. When tested on some meats, a product made from Davidson’s plum extended the shelf life of the meat by 21 days in chilled conditions.

Davidson’s Plum is not recommended for eating fresh but is excellent stewed, or preserved or made into jam using recipes for European plums.  Some say you should double the amount of sugar that you would use in such a recipe. The flesh can be used in savoury dishes as well.

A personal friend of mine grows the fruit on his conservation and environmentally sustainable property in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. His produce has been used extensively by a native bushfoods Aboriginal owned business founded from a love of quality Native foods. Their native bushfoods products are grown and handmade in South East Queensland. They are available in restaurants, online, across the shelf and even featured in museums. This company notes that “Davidson Plum Jam is great used as conventional jam, or with crackers and cheese”. Interestingly they add that it is also “perfect to add on a piece of meat”. Their collaboration is making a sour, hard to attain bush food into a sweet, accessible reality for others. 

I hope my writing has similar outcomes. 

 

Unique, Sweet Story Telling

 

There are a few interesting aspects to my favourite Jam that intersect with my writing journey. Maybe these points are an inspiration for you too ?

It is rare. I hope my writing is attractive for others who are after some rare, meaningful and inspirational treats.

It is Unique. I enjoy challenging myself as an author and researching and trying new forms of writing expression and practice. For example narrative structures come in many forms, and unique ones might have more than one main character, a delayed inciting incident, and a nonlinear storyline that challenges readers. I am also trying my hand at a "tragedy" set in an alternate history cybernetic 1980's.

It has potential health benefits. In the back of my mind whenever I am writing is a sense of missional call: I hope my writing makes a positive change in the world.

It is a unique collaborative blend of indigenous wild knowledge and introduced food culture. I enjoy delving into stories that express cultural meaning and humble learnings that have been guided by impartation from valued mentors and cultural elders. I aim to embrace and highlight Australian distinctives in my writing style, characters, settings and themes.

It is a very sour raw fruit that when processed makes for it’s appeal as a notable confiture. Writing sometimes is hard work and even a challenging process but it is made sweet by our persistent testing of our recipes.

It is a pleasant surprise when enjoyed for the first time. Give new things a go

I have enjoyed (on damper) with a strong coffee, making the experience even more delectable. I love writing in inspirational places (with good coffee and good people)

I have not made it yet. I hope I can make a jam that I do justice to and continue to publish as my ‘opus’.

I have tasted and tried those made by others. I know I enjoy this jam because others have made it and I know I can too.

I am looking forward to making my own. 

 

 

I have discovered a jam that is by far the most pleasing when I get a chance to enjoy it. Perhaps these few thoughts may be inspiration for you to look beyond your usual, safe jam. Perhaps these few thoughts have inspired you to be adventurous in your writing enjoyment.

What is the unique, special, “tasty” ingredient in your writing?

Or what ingredient are you keen to explore ?

Why don't you try a new jam!

 

May the fruit of all your labours be sweet :) 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Glowinski L. (2008) The complete book of fruit growing in Australia. Hachette Australia.

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) 2009 Report on The Evaluation of the Health Benefits of Australian Foods

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)  2012  The Potential Physiological Activities of Selected Australian Herbs and Fruits.

photos various public sources

Fifteen Great Picks from 2021

Throughout the year, our blog team share their insights and wisdom - it may be inspirational, a story of writerly struggles or triumphs in a pandemic world; tips about the writing life and writing craft, or an interview of one of our members. Sometimes it's moving, or funny or thought-provoking or all three.. Always, it's the result of thought, research, experience, passion, creativity.

The CWD Admin team would like to give our blog team a huge thank you for your contributions throughout 2021 (and over the last decade).

As we near the end of 2021 which felt far too much like a 2020 sequel, we thought we'd honour our bloggers' contributions with a pick of 15 blogposts that have inspired us this year (in no particular order). Out of close to 90 posts, it wasn't easy to choose and there are many other posts equally deserving of notice. We have a wealth of information and inspiration on the blogsite - accessible on multiple subjects and themes.

Jeanette 

1. A Story of Life by Meredith Resce  (Sometimes God has other ideas)

I have a real-life story of my own I’d like to share. It is about the love of God in a difficult situation.

It’s a true story, a little bit funny, a bit sad, but it’s an inspirational story. It started Easter 2015, on Good Friday to be exact.

As is often the case on Good Friday, I found myself part of the Good Friday church service. I was playing the piano, and my husband (the pastor at that time) had arranged, among other things, that I would play the old hymn ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross’ as a background accompaniment while three people read pieces of Scripture. I needed to get a scanned copy of the music as I couldn’t find my old hymn books. I had it all sorted and I’d practiced it, and it was all good. The service went along as planned, and it was inspirational and a little bit stirring, as all Good Friday services should be.

 

At the end of the service my husband did one of his special spontaneous moments that he is famous for, and announced to the congregation that he would get his wife (that’s me) to come back to the piano and sing ‘The Old Rugged Cross’. I’m sort of used to these surprise put-you-on-the-spot ideas that pop up from time to time, and I can usually fumble about and make something happen, but I honestly hadn’t played ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ in years. I couldn’t remember half the words, was not sure which key ... Read More Here.

2. Never Give Up On Your Dreams by Nola Lorraine

Sally Funk was one of the Mercury 13, women who trained in the 1960s to for space but never got there.  That is until decades later when something amazing happened, but what has that got to do with writing? Read of Nola's Post Here.

3. Resistance is Futile! by Susan J Bruce

This week I’ve had the Borg catch-cry in my head as I’ve pondered a different, but very futile kind of resistance: resistance to writing.

I suffer from this resistance a lot—even though I love writing. Do you? I know I’m not alone.

To create a world and immerse yourself in the lives of your characters is a thing of joy. You get to know these make-believe people, torture them in some diabolically cathartic way, then cheer them on as they overcome the obstacles you throw before them. What’s not to like? Writing can be so much fun, so why do we resist sitting down and filling empty pages with our words.

Resistance is weird ... Read More Here. 

4. A Bag of Goodies! by Anusha Atukorala

Anusha contemplates the aha moment for using a treasured but unused bag, and the metaphorical bags writers can carry with them, stuffed full of unhelpful or helpful attitudes.  To find out what they are Read More Here. 

5. Feeding the Reservoir (aka Soaking up the View from my Window) by Mazzy Adams

A writer’s inclination to observe people and places is common, if not intrinsic, as it informs the character characteristics and settings we create for our readers. But for months, opportunities to casually watch passers-by while sipping a caramel latte inside a coffee shop, or freely travel to another place just to see what’s there, have languished in the realms of wishful thinking. Whether introvert or extrovert, opportunities to top up our creative reservoirs have taken a hit.

It’s not surprising that, as global conditions have created compelling reasons to stay at home, innovative online groups have created new ways for people to connect and explore the world.

Last year, I joined a group called ‘View from My Window’. Precious glimpses into the daily lived experience of folk from across the globe have broadened my view of the world and the people in it. ... Read More Here.

6. Transformation Stories - Our friends or foes? by Paula Vince

In his book, 'Waking the Dead', John Eldredge makes the following observation.

'The phoenix rises from the ashes. Cinderella rises from the cinders to become a queen. The ugly duckling becomes a beautiful swan. Pinnochio becomes a real boy. The frog becomes a prince. Wretched old Scrooge becomes "as good a friend, as good a master and as good a man as the good old city knew."'

Wow, stories of transformation really are prolific! If we live and breathe this sort of literature, if we were brought up on it, has it really been good for us? Doesn't it convince us, in a very palatable and surreptitious way, that we need to become something completely different in order to be acceptable? ... Read More Here. 

7. The CPU of Marketing and Beyond by Jeanette O'Hagan

We all would love to discover the formula to instant success in becoming a block-buster, best-selling author. Unfortunately, that formula probably doesn't exist - but in this blog, I share three Cs, two Ps and the U that can help us power towards publication and and finding our readers. Read More Here.

8. [Self] Publish or Perish? Pros and Cons – by Ruth Bonetti

Authors trudge rutted paths to print goals. Rejections tempt them to secure incomes selling used cars or real estate. Or they learn to forge their own independent ways.

We polish a manuscript until it gleams, then submit. And wait. Wait. We remind ourselves of big name authors rejected many times by publishers–who now regret that!

 
But...

Do we give up too easily ... Read More Here.  

9. Behind the Scenes: In Want of a Wife by Meredith Resce

Today we go 'behind the scenes' as Jeanette (Jenny) O'Hagan interviews Meredith Resce about her rom-com contemporary romances featuring author and match-making mother, Luella Linley. Read More Here. 

10. Keeping the Joy in the Call by Helen Carr

The process of entering the Caleb Awards had a truly positive effect on me, and not just because it pushed me to finish my novel! Deadlines are something I work well to, and often having the pressure to get something finished is the motivation I need to stop binging Netflix, or reading someone else’s novel, and work on mine. That being said, I do recall having a bit of a chat with God about the awards, after becoming slightly cranky with him about the pressure to get things ready before the first deadline. It was a very short conversation, and went like this…

Me: I don’t know how to fix this part! It’s too hard, God, why did you ask me to enter the awards?

God: I never asked you to, Helen.

Me:….. {awkward silence}

He was right, of course. I had made the choice to submit my manuscript, not once stopping to ask God if it was the right timing or something he wanted. I returned to God, repentant, and humble, and asked him, “Lord, do you want me to enter the awards?”

His answer was so beautiful - “Yes, enter them if you want to, but Helen...do not lose the joy of writing.” Read More Here. 

11. The Story of Us by Shane Brigg

The hero archetype is generally defined as an individual protagonist who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. A hero protagonist's traits help readers to understand them, connect with them, or follow their actions and understand why they do what they do.

I have been asking myself - like Papa (2016) - if the Hero’s Journey is “the chief organizing story” of human civilization and stories are the most powerful communication technology, to what extent might the Hero’s Journey be responsible for where we are at today?

Where I am at today? (“Gulp”)

How might the conceptualization of the Hero’s Journey be contributing to what we are experiencing on all scales of society, development, world issues, good things, bad things, personal vexes and maybe even sin?

What could happen if we told our hero stories differently?  ... Read More Here.

12. Write Amidst the Storm by Adele Jones

I need not remind Australians that for the majority of us, the past eighteen months have been a period unlike any other in our lives. That includes writers. Bookstores have been shut, many never to reopen. Sales have been down. Libraries have been closed, so no PLR. Publishers have been hit hard. Events have been cancelled, and re-cancelled. Gatherings have been forbidden by government edicts. Homes with children usually at school have been thrust into the realm of home schooling, and a pandemic of fear has seen panic buying and frenzied behaviour uncharacteristic of our usually “laid back” Aussie culture.

What’s a writer to do?


... What can we do when writing gets hard? Here are a few tips from my “Top Ten Block Busters” presentation, shared at a recent visit with the Rose City Writers ... Read More Here. 

13. Can we be in unity in these tough times? Thoughts from Jo Wanmer

As Christian authors and readers we write…not only books and short pieces, but emails, posts on social media, articles and blogs. Are we being known as Christians by our love that's displayed in our words?

In these difficult times, we don’t all agree on theology, politics, vaccines and other topics. How can we walk in unity when we see things so differently?  ... Read More Here.

14. Do We Write on Human Hearts? by Janelle Moore

Who else wants their words, their writing to challenge, inspire and bring life, just as God's words do?

Who else wants their writing to be an extension of who they are, just as God's words are?

2 Corinthians 3:3 tells us that "...you are a letter from Christ...written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on human hearts". Read More Here.

15. Mentors, Godparents and the Writing Thing by K A Hart

‘Me? She really asked if I would consider being her mentor?’


I was flabbergasted. Me. A mentor? I don’t know anything. I’m barely able to work through my own issues in life and someone wanted me to be their mentor? And what was a mentor supposed to do?

Would you believe me if I said I looked up the definition?

A wise and trusted counsellor or teacher. [Pft! Wise? I’ll probably have to look that up in the dictionary too, but I know I’m neither old enough or experienced enough to be wise.]

An influential senior sponsor or supporter. [Ha! I should never be left unsupervised, let-alone influence anyone.]

I checked the thesaurus, maybe there was a better fit than mentor — adviser, coach, guide, instructor, trainer, tutor, counsellor … maybe not. ... Read More Here.

We hope you've enjoyed this selective review of the many great blogs of 2021. And we'd like to thank all our active CWD members and bloggers who interact, comment and support each other and the group - and to wish you all a blessed and joyful Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour and Lord and a wonderful New Year in 2022.

A Word for the Season.

As the Christmas season has obviously begun it's countdown to the 25th December people worldwide begin a celebration that reflects a blending of ideas, icons and themes that are as diverse as the cultures that have embraced the mass of Christ's birth. For me personally it is an opportunity to reflect on central themes, not of a religious celebration, or even just of the birth of a world changing child, but perhaps way deeper than these ideals is a simple Truth. Expressed in a word. A word that has come to hold such meaning it defines much of what I do and say, who I am, and what I aspire to be. 

Before I share this word allow me to reflect on some of the ideas I shared at the Omega writers conference a few weeks ago.

I shared about the power of words.Words unlock other worlds. This is quite prophetic for God has called you by name and has a purpose for you. What world has God unlocked for you? Words inspire us to change the world. As we discover the Truth of key words we recognise that words create foundations for our lives. What words are you allowing to define you?

In 2 PETER 1:5-8 the apostle gives us several key words to reflect on: 

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

At conference I focused on the word that brought action to all the qualities listed.  "Add".

The original Greek of  this word is "Epichorēgeō" which comes from a word suggesting lavish provision. Other English translations render this word as "supply" .  The word "Epichorēgeō" was used in classical Greek to describe the munificence of rich citizens to fit out a war host in preparation for battle.  It had a special reference to the abundant supplies provided to complete a mission.  The key Peter is making clear is that we are responsible to “supply” the graces listed, out of the power of the Grace that God has given us.

As I reflect on this power in the words that come to define us, or the ones that we need to ensure we are supplying in to our faith-walk to help us enrich the world there is a key word that stands out for me. This is reflected in the narratives we have of the Christ story that is told in ever so many ways over the season. It is good to be reminded that core to the story of Christ’s birth is the

“mindset of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8).

The word that holds so much meaning, that defined Jesus, and prayerfully shapes my reality is “Humility”.

Jesus was willing to be humble enough to live, identify with, immerse, incarnate, love, associate with the broken, poor, diseased, those in need of a saviour. And that means me too.

Perhaps in the Christmas narrative this is most beautifully born out in the choice of the marginalized, disempowered peoples who were known as shepherds in the 1st Century, being the first to receive the message of the Hope of the world, from none less than a sky filled with Angels. The photo of a shepherd was taken in Nazareth in Israel 2 years ago on my Masters in Ministry with Harvest College Archaeology of the Bible Lands exploration. My desire is that I too would express Christ's heart to those who are our contemporary marginalized. I hope I can express his love, deliver his peace, and be faithful in my life journey as I seek Him, do justice and walk humbly.

As writers we should be ensuring that the words we write are helping to change the world as truth-filled expressions of God’s character. In our pursuit for great storytelling it may be tempting to bypass Truth telling for creative license. Often there is a notable tension in some of our narratives: How to remain both creatively appealing and spiritually sound.

How important is it to express Truth and God’s character?

Perhaps the best way to begin this process is to consider what “Humility” means and embrace its qualities. Perhaps the Christmas season, the year ahead, and our future would flow with a peace and joy that comes simply as we express this reality that is at once a just revelation of Jesus, and also how he would have the Kingdom that is His be received in this Earth.

Consider further the words in Philippians 2:

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset of Christ Jesus.” Be Humble.

May the Joy and revelation of the season be yours. 

Shane Brigg

www.facebook.com/shane.brigg.3