I am not scared of Carrot Jam or Zumba

  I have read (I think it was on a Lululemon bag) that you should do 'one thing a day which scares you'.  Personally, I think that if I did follow this, I would be a nervous wreck in anticipation of the next day's terrifying experience.  Consequently I usually go about my daily business in a non scared manner, which is how I like it.


However, I did two (yes two, I hear you gasp!) things yesterday which were a bit scary.  Nothing life threatening, but nonetheless a mite out of my comfort zone.


I bravely decided to make Carrot Jam, yes, I know, sounds absurd.  I mean, veggies and copious amounts of sugar...not sounding good just yet.  The recipe author, Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall assured me that it is good on toast or crumpets.  Well, why didn't you say so, let's grate carrots!


My fear was mainly that it wouldn't work, and all my self doubt would come to reality when I ended up with very sweet grated carrots, in the fridge, in a bowl, mocking me.


I am pleased to report a happy ending, the jam worked - hurrah - and tastes good, bit like sweet, nutmeg'y, cinnamon'y, citrus'y carrots.  Just need some crumpets.


Just in case you feel the need to make the jam (I recommend you do), I did boil it for blimmin' ages longer than stated here, about an hour total I think.  You have to keep an eye on it and keep doing the 'setting on a saucer' test.


Carrot Jam

Delicious on hot toast or crumpets. Makes about three 450g jars.

1kg carrots, peeled and grated
Finely grated rind and strained juice of 2 lemons
Finely grated rind and strained juice of 1 orange
900g granulated sugar
2-3 cinnamon sticks
6 cloves
1 tsp grated nutmeg

Put the carrots, juices, zest and sugar into a preserving pan, and stir. Tie the cinnamon and cloves into a small circle of muslin, tie with kitchen string and place in the middle of the carrots. Leave overnight to macerate.

Pour over about 900ml water, add the nutmeg, warm and stir until any sugar crystals have dissolved. Bring to the boil. Boil until it reaches its setting point, about 30-40 minutes; test to see if it's ready using a chilled saucer (see above). Carefully fish out the spice bag. Cool for 10 minutes, then pour into warm, sterilised jars and cover with lids or waxed paper discs and cellophane covers while still hot. Store in a cool, dry place and use within one year.

Carrot Jam

What, I hear you cry, can be the other item on the 'makes me a little bit uncomfortable list' from yesterday.  

Zumba.

Zumba has terrified me for years, it always looks amazing and I love the vague concept of me dancing.  So this looked like the activity for me.  There are classes at the Mid County YMCA, it is down the road, it is free.  So why, oh why won't I go?  Because I might look a little bit like a total idiot, that's why.  

Yesterday, I went.

I bloody loved it, every single minute!   I followed along, stomped, stepped, samba'd, salsa'd and wiggled.  Even when I went in the complete wrong direction, still loved it!  

Next Thursday, I will be there, Shakira'ing it up at the YMCA, 10am.  

So, maybe we should all try 'Something that makes us a little uncomfortable once in a while'.  Go print that on a bag somewhere, it is quite the tag line don't you think!

                                                         Katie's Pizzeria, love.

                               Little bit scary dress, but I soon got used to being a girl!