Damson Lemon-Leaf Spoon Jam Toasts

Damson Lemon-Leaf Spoon Jam Toasts 🍇🍋 Glossy homemade spoon jam, cool ricotta, crisp sourdough, pistachio crunch, and a tiny citrus-leaf lift. This is the kind of breakfast toast that feels special but still comes together with one small pan and a toaster. ✨ Yield: 4 generous toasts Time: about 30 minutes Ingredients 🛒 For the damson spoon jam: - 350 g damsons or dark purple plums, pitted and roughly chopped - 120 g granulated sugar - 1 tbsp lemon juice - 2 wide strips lemon peel - 1 fresh lemon leaf, or 1 small bay leaf if lemon leaf is unavailable - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract - Tiny pinch of fine salt For the toasts: - 4 slices sourdough or country bread - 220 g ricotta - 1-2 tsp honey, optional - 2 tbsp chopped pistachios - Fine lemon zest, for finishing - Small pinch flaky salt Method 👩‍🍳 1. Cook the fruit. Put the chopped damsons, sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel, lemon leaf, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan. Set over medium heat and stir until the sugar starts dissolving and the fruit releases juice. 2. Simmer gently. Once bubbling, reduce to medium-low and cook for 14-18 minutes, stirring often. The fruit should collapse into a deep purple syrup, and the bubbles should look slow and glossy rather than watery. 3. Check the texture. Drag a spoon through the pan. If the jam leaves a brief trail before flowing back together, it is ready. For a looser toast topping, stop slightly earlier. For a thicker spoon jam, simmer 2-3 minutes longer. 4. Cool and season. Remove the lemon leaf and lemon peel. Let the jam cool for at least 10 minutes. It will thicken as it stands. Taste and add a few drops more lemon juice if you want a brighter finish. 5. Prepare the toast. Toast the sourdough until crisp at the edges and lightly golden in the center. Stir the ricotta with honey if you want a softer, sweeter base. 6. Assemble. Spread each toast with ricotta, spoon over the damson jam, then finish with pistachios, lemon zest, and a tiny pinch of flaky salt. Serving notes 🍽️ Serve while the toast is crisp and the jam is still slightly warm or room temperature. It is lovely for brunch, a snack plate, or a small dessert-style breakfast with coffee. Make-ahead and storage 🫙 The jam keeps in a clean covered jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Toast and assemble just before serving so the bread stays crisp. Leftover jam is excellent with yogurt, porridge, pancakes, soft cheese, or a simple cheese board. Save this recipe for your next slow breakfast or easy weekend brunch. 💚