Jesus in My Jam

It's a miracle.

Do you remember those stories - fantastical tales of faith that made worldwide news - the ones where Jesus's image showed up in the most mundane, everyday things like rocks, cloud formations, the moon, and, for you foodies, toast, random pieces of fruit, even a wheel of cheese? Jesus has pretty much shown up everywhere, from the color pattern on someone's cat to a puddle of gravy in a bowl of mashed potatoes.

There's a name for this you know. It's a phenomenon sometimes attributed to pareidolia - the tendency to perceive specific, recognizable images (often faces...umm, Jesus) in random or ambiguous patterns. In other words, our brains may lead us to believe we see something familiar in a random object that isn't actually there.

I think there's a little more to it than that. I think our very human hearts seek comfort in the familiar - especially during times of struggle and hardship. It's why we have a favorite blanket, cuddle up with our pets, gather with family and friends over food, and see Jesus in the jam.

Okay, did I actually see Jesus in my blueberry jam? No. But the familiarity of making good food, the comfort I took in making it - and savoring it after - well, I might as well have.

If you could use a little homemade comfort yourself, here's my favorite blueberry jam recipe - simple, sweet, and maybe just a little bit miraculous.

Slow Cooker Blueberry Cinnamon Jam

Ingredients:

• 6 cups blueberries, (two-18 ounce packages)

• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on HIGH for two hours.

3. Spoon everything from the slow cooker into a blender (or use an immersion blender right in your slow cooker.) Pulse until smooth.

4. Pour the blueberry jam back into the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for one more hour, but without the lid on. Stir Occasionally.

5. Remove from slow cooker and let cool. NOTE: The jam thickens as it cools, Keep refrigerated and enjoy!