CHEESE boards are set to be spiced up with the launch of Conjurup Food Company’s aromatic lemon jam, Confiture de Citron.
They say ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’, but Anna-Jane “AJ” Dalton – an award-winning product developer, caterer and food consultant – doesn’t do the expected, preferring to think outside the square. The ‘lemon challenge’ led to her creation of a fabulous new zesty condiment that is destined to be a must-have for entertaining and cooking, and an ideal Christmas gift for any foodie.
As versatile as it is delicious, the spreadable condiment’s fragrant, intense lemon flavour is balanced with the sweetness of sugar and just the right amount of spice.
Confiture de Citron is the perfect pairing for cheese and grazing plates, although the options are limitless. Try it as a glaze on fish, chicken, pork or vegetables, or add a zesty burst of flavour to sandwiches, toasties and pizza. Mix with mayonnaise to create a dipping sauce, fold through mascarpone and freeze to make delicious ice cream, or spice up your cocktails to create a wicked martini.
“It is new and it is different. I love it with gorgonzola. It goes really well with a good cheddar, and also great with a really ripe brie,” AJ said. “It is intense, with no additives, and it has spicing that gives it a point of difference and balance that I am told is perfect. It just elevates food.
“Everything I do has an extraordinarily long palate, so you get lots of layers of flavour.”
Produced in Newcastle, Confiture de Citron is AJ’s original recipe using single-sourced, unwaxed lemons from the Central Coast, with the jam hand-poured and set in the pot.
After moving from Sydney to Newcastle in late 2019, AJ’s creativity in the kitchen was reignited after soaking up the Hunter region’s flourishing food and wine scene, and abundance of quality, locally grown produce. She developed the recipe earlier this year during the COVID-19 lockdown period after looking for ways to use leftover lemon slices and create a product unlike any other in the marketplace.
“I’m a country girl and I cannot bear waste. There were lemon slices not perfect enough to use in another lemon product I’m working on and I thought, ‘I bet I can do something interesting with these’. I didn’t want to just make a jam. I wanted to make something that was really interesting. I thought ‘You know what? I’m going to spice it and I’m going to get the balance right, and I think it will be beautiful with cheese’.”
Food critic Dane Richards said of Confiture de Citron: “With my background as a head reviewer and food critic, it’s very rare on any first evaluation, where you find total harmony – whether that be with all the elements in a dish, or in this case, with a new niche product. This exquisitely balanced and brilliantly conceived condiment is an exception, with the key being its versatility to accompany whatever takes your fancy – my personal favourite being used to accompany, and elevate, any quality cheese and charcuterie”.
About Conjurup Food Company
Anna-Jane “AJ” Dalton founded Conjurup Food Company in 2011. After a career working in advertising, sales and marketing, AJ’s passion for food and wine led her into the food industry with the launch of a range of specialty spice mixes.
She featured as a contestant on the first season of MasterChef, where her spicing skills won over judges, including Matt Preston who requested a copy of her recipe. “I was astonished and delighted that a renowned critic was asking for my recipe. I thought ‘If he likes it and he wants the recipe, then others would too. Since then I have created, tried and tested various recipe mixes on many and varied people. To date, everyone has loved them and that is what I want everyone to share.”
Conjurup Food Company launched Confiture de Citron in October 2020.
Conjurup Food Company
Buy online at www.conjurupfood.com.au or in-store from the following stockists: Milford Espresso, Islington; Hunter Valley Chocolate Company, Pokolbin; Wollombi Road Providore, Cessnock; and Hungerford Meat Co, Branxton.