Elaine’s Jam [Cherry, Peach & Apple] — part of the Friendship Series

**FRIENDSHIP SERIES!** 

Meet Elaine; the inspiration for our August offering in the Friendship Series…

Elaine Brier…

I met Elaine not long after I met Maria, my January inspiration… I was in NYC, and had popped into the Duplex one night to say hi to Maria, and hang out for a bit.  I took a seat at the bar, Maria was slammed, but I wasn’t in a rush, so I was sitting, enjoying the music, loving being back in that magical place that is the Duplex when this woman, wearing this AMAZING hat, plopped down on the bar stool next to me, and uttered ‘Hi Hun!  Don’t mind me — my feet are killing me!  It’s been a LONG day… how was your day?  Where did you go?  What did you do?  What did you see?  She was grinning from ear to ear with the most adorable smile, she was effervescent; she was luminous; she was extraordinary — she was Elaine!  As I started to answer her, Maria came over, hugged me like there was no tomorrow, then she introduced me to her Co-Worker Elaine!  The connection was instantaneous, and ever lasting!

I just ADORE Elaine; she is a true girlfriend — if we lived closer to each other, I know that she is someone that I would see, or at least talk to on a daily basis.  When I succumb to my weakness and give in to my Hallmark Movies addiction, it is Elaine that I picture myself being in that kind of relationship with… Elaine is without a doubt, one of my ‘forever people’… and don’t get me started on her voice — people LOVE her comedic timing; true, it is a gift of hers, but for me, she has this way of connecting with a song — and she delivers a song that reflects that rare connection that most Singers strive for, but don’t always get.  That connection for her is real, vibrant and alive — she truly has a gift.  I could listen to her sing heartfelt songs on a 24 hour loop.  And that, in a nutshell, is my Elaine.

When I asked Elaine about her favorite fruits and flavors, I also remembered that when Maria was creating my ‘signature cocktail’ that I always drink when I’m at the Duplex, the Shirelle, Elaine and Maria bounced ingredient ideas off of each other — and came up with an INCREDIBLE drink that is still my go to cocktail whenever I’m at the Duplex!  So taking Elaine’s likes, coupling them with an ingredient or two from the Shirelle, and after playing around in the kitchen for a bit, I came up with this blending of three fruits, using [3] different kinds of apple to get just the right flavor balance and consistency, I finally arrived at Elaine’s Jam; and it is JAMMY GOODNESS!  So fruity… the burst of cherry is extraordinary; the peach flavor blends well with the cherry, and the different apples not only lend to the flavor, but also the texture; there’s an apple that breaks down and gets ‘saucy’, lending body to the jam, while the other apples contribute a hint of tartness, but a load of flavor; I usually get a sense of pride when I create a new jam, but I am REALLY proud of this one — this one hits ALL THE RIGHT NOTES!  Give it a try… I think you’ll like it!!  Link for YouTube video for this jam can be found HERE.