AUGUST 19 • 2021 | 55

F

resh food is one of the 
most wonderful parts 
of summertime in 
Michigan, and since the dead 
of winter looms ever large in 
the distance, I’m always think-
ing about good ways to pre-
serve those fresh 
flavors well past 
the snowy depths 
of January.
Fresh thyme 
is one of my 
favorite herbs. 
I run my hands 
through the plant 
daily because it’s so evocative 
a perfume for me, reeking of 
kitchen work and simmering 
stocks.
I also love the freshness of 
thyme, though we so rarely uti-
lize it for this quality. Thyme is 
so frequently used as an herb in 
long-cooked, boiled, simmered 
or stewed dishes, let alone its 
place of honor for roasting 
and saucing; we don’t use fresh 
thyme as often as fresh parsley 
or cilantro or basil.
Here’s a method to keep 
some thyme freshness along 
with you into the winter:

THYME AND BLUEBERRY 
SHRUB

12 oz. (by weight) blueberries, 

washed 

6-10 stems thyme (depending on 

size, a small bunch) washed

1½ cups granulated sugar

1 cup vinegar (white works, but if 

you have a champagne or a mild 

white wine vinegar, it can also be 

very good here)

Directions
1. Combine berries and 
thyme in a glass or ceram-
ic bowl, and mash them 
together gently. It’s just 
about bruising the thyme 
and opening the berries.
2. Add the sugar and mix 
well. Cover the bowl tightly 
with plastic wrap and let sit 
overnight at room tempera-
ture to macerate.
3. Transfer the macerated 
berries, thyme and sugar 
into a nonreactive saucepan 
and add the vinegar. Heat 
over medium-high heat 
until just simmering when 
the sugar will dissolve fully. 
Immediately remove from 
the heat.
4. Strain through a fine-
mesh sieve into a nonreac-
tive container for storage. 
This mixture will be syrupy 
when cool and will keep for 
several months in the fridge.
5. Dose about 1-2 Tbsp. of 
shrub for an 8-10-oz. glass 
of seltzer and enjoy one of 
the original refreshers from 
before we called it pop. 

Chef Aaron blogs about his garden on 
the Facebook page of the Isaac Agree 
Downtown Synagogue. Reprinted with 
permission.

Chef Aaron 
Egan

Just in Thyme!

FROM THE HOME GARDEN OF 
CHEF AARON EGAN

FOOD

HEALTHCARE

A1 CAREGIVER/COMPANION.
Experienced, excellent 
references. 248-991-4944

Angelic Homecare LLC 
"Where Your Loved Ones 
Come First" Services 
Include: Personal Care, 
Live-in or 24 hour care, 
and more! Call Us: 
248-971-1118 or 
Email: 
angelichomecarellc@
gmail.com 

"Private Home Health 
Care Service" currently 
accepting new clients! 
Providing a variety of 
home health care services 
including: personal care, light 
house keeping, and meal 
preparation. For any questions 
regarding services, please 
contact Raqayyah Stevens. 
Independent In Home Health 
Care Professionals (586) 
744-0526 or ruqayyah1977@
icloud.com.

Agency looking to hire kind, 
friendly, experienced and 
reliable caregivers for our 
wonderful families. Immediate 
interview and orientation 
only if requirements are met. 
Thank you! Please call Amy 
248-277-5350.

24-HOUR AFFORDABLE 
CAREGIVER w/ Memory 
Care, Med Reminder 
& Companionship 
Experience. 26 Years 
of Excellent Services! 
References Available. Call 
April 586-335-5377

TRANSPORTATION

A1 DRIVER for Drs 
appts,shopping, 
errands,airports and more. 
(248) 991-4944

1 AAA BEST DRIVER 
Reasonable RatesAirport 
$50.All cars washed and 
disinfected twice a day.
Harold 248.496.1302

Reliable Driver-Best Rates 
Airport, appts., errands, 
shopping & more or ask? Call 
David 248-690-6090

SERVICES

Housekeeper needed for 
cooking and cleaning for 2 
senior adults in Bloomfield 
Hills. $25.00 per hour 
2 to 3x a week. Please call 
248-362-4666

AAA Cleaning Service. 
15 yrs. in business.Natalie 
248-854-0775

A MOVING truck 
to Florida and returning 
Bud 239-273-3565

ANTIQUES

WANTED. / BUYING / 
ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 
COINS, STAMPS, WATCHES, 
CAMERAS 
Please Call 
(248) 259-8088 or 
Text (313)395-8599 
Website= a.airsite.co 
Email= 
wevexgotxstuff@aol.com 

SITUATIONS WANTED

Caregiver seeking hourly 
position for elderly care. 
15 yrs. exp. Call Melinda 
248-550-5637

the exchange
community bulletin board | professional services
For information regarding advertising please call 248-351-5116 or 
248-234-9057 or email salessupport@thejewishnews.com
Deadline for ad insertion is 9 a.m. on Friday prior to publication.

 JF Green Renovations 

Your Trusted Local Expert For Interior & Exterior Restorations

 ROOFING 
 ROOFING SIDING 
 SIDING CHIMNEY RESTORATION 

SEAMLESS GUTTERS
MOLD & FLOOD REPAIRS

SPECIALTY REPAIRS INCLUDE:
Brick, Stone, Concrete, All Masonry, Rotted and Damaged Wood, 
Cedar Roof
 ng, Decks & Patios, Retainer Walls,
Critter Control & Repairs, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Tile and Flooring

CALL JOHN: 248-770-8772

FORMER MARINE

Free Attic,
Crawl Space
& Basement
Inspections

JN 1/8 page

Weekly
Headlines 
Delivered
to Your Inbox.

thejewishnews.com/newsletter