One of my earliest core memories is performing part of “Do Re Mi” from “The Sound of Music” with my mom, so I knew that was the movie I had to pick when a post fell on her birthday.

I’m taking inspiration from the song lyrics for my pairing, specifically the line “Ti, a drink with jam and bread.”

This vegan strawberry jam recipe (which is also gluten-free and soy-free) makes two small jars, approximately 24 “servings.”

Ingredients
16 ounces strawberries, sliced and diced
1.25 cups sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions
Slice your strawberries into small pieces.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the strawberries and sugar, mixing them well.

Stir until the mixture comes to a boil, then add the lemon juice, letting the jam cook (while frequently stirring) for another 15 minutes.

Carefully pour the jam into your jar(s). We used a funnel.

Let the jam cool completely in the uncovered jars.

Once it’s cooled, you can eat some right away with your favorite bread and tea. The jam should last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

The Easy Route
You can buy pre-sliced strawberries to make that step easier, and of course, you can always just buy a jar of jam.

The Pairing
I know I’m doing two musicals in a row, but what can I say? It’s one of my favorite genres for a reason.

“The Sound of Music” is a beautiful film that has been enjoyed by the masses for generations. Julie Andrews is an international treasure, and it all started with two musicals: “Mary Poppins” and this.

Andrews stars in “The Sound of Music” as Maria, a young woman sent to be the governess for the seven kids of a widower, Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer).

Andrews and Plummer have incredible chemistry in this movie, and you’re always rooting for them to get past their differences and give in to their clear attraction to each other.

Yes, Andrews has one of the best musical theater voices of her generation (or perhaps of all time), but the whole cast, including the child actors, showcase their musical talent throughout the film.

As I said up top, “The Sound of Music” has been part of the international cultural zeitgeist for nearly 60 years, and it continues to be referenced in other forms of entertainment. One of my favorite sequences in the show “Pushing Daisies” is a reimagining of Andrews’ rendition of “The Hills Are Alive” in “The Sound of Music.”

I highly recommend adding this classic musical to your summer watchlist, even if you’ve seen it before. And so does my mom.

If you decide to make jam and/or watch “The Sound of Music,” let us know! Tag us in your Instagram posts & stories, tweets or TikTok videos: @veg_out_recipes