[Not so] Secret Pear Jam: A Favorite Childhood Food Memory

One of my favorite things about food, and one of the reasons I decided to start writing about it, is its ability to transport you back to a singular event in your life. The taste of something new is almost as vivid in your memory as it was the first time you experienced it, and you carry that wonderfully exciting moment with you forever. 

Growing up, one of my favorite snacks used to be pears slathered with seedy, tangy, raspberry jam. The first time my dad made it for me, for some strange reason I convinced myself that the jam was a special spread only bought for and eaten with pears. Even more strange, I convinced myself that my dad was the only genius who made this unusual discovery, and so I held onto it like a family secret for years until recently sharing it with some friends.

Needless to say, I was bombarded by belly laughs and confused furrowed eyebrows after trying to explain that a jam only meant to be eaten with pears existed in the world. Looking back on it now, it sounds a bit ridiculous that there would be a fruit spread specifically made to be eaten with another piece of fresh fruit. Regardless of my seeming naiveté, I was still convinced this jam existed and so I called up my dad for confirmation. I received a similar reaction by him, although tinted with a bit more sympathy. 

Finding out that it was only regular, store-bought raspberry jam my dad simply enjoyed spreading on some pear slices, I giggled with a mix of embarrassment and childish joy. Realizing something so simple [and silly] like a "secret" snack I shared with my dad could produce such warm and loving memories of time spent with my him sent chills down my spine. These are the type of food experiences I love to share, so I decided to recreate this [not so] secret pear jam into a more wholesome recipe. However skeptical you are of raspberry jam slathered on pears, I promise you this recipe makes for a delicious appetizer, snack, or even breakfast. 

RECIPE

Ingredients

1. 1/2 medium green Anjou pear [thinly sliced]

2. 4-6 slices Brie [thinly sliced]

3. 2 slices crunchy toast of your choosing

4. 2 big dollops of seedy raspberry jam

5. A handful of crushed walnuts [optional]

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Total time: 10 minutes 

Servings: 1 piece of toast 

 

Steps

1. Cut Anjou pear into thin slices.

2. Toast bread until very lightly golden.

3. Assemble Brie slices onto toast & pop back into the toaster to melt cheese.

4. Top toast with a big dollop of raspberry jam.

5. Layer pear slices & sprinkle crushed walnuts on top.