Tuesday 2 July 2013

Summer time... and the making is lovely

First of all, welcome to my new follower, via Bloglovin, Katie Jane.

I rarely make Strawberry jam as we find it too sickly and cloying. This recipe has been adapted from  one of Rosamond Richardson's. Her recipe is for twice this much but I only made a quarter. To make the full amount, you will need 4lb of strawberries, 3 1/2 pound of normal white sugar and 2 large or 4 small lemons.

Lightly wash the strawberries and dry on a tea towel. Cut large ones into 3 or 4 and smaller ones in half. Very small ones can be left whole. Remove green stalk and leaves. In a plastic bowl, layer the strawberries with the sugar and leave for a 2 - 3 hours to macerate.

Put everything into a jam making pan or a pan with a thick and wide bottom. Bring to the boil and cook lightly (more than a simmer but not a rolling boil!) for 8 - 10 minutes until the strawberries have collapsed a little but are still whole. I messed it up right here as I went to read an email and when I came back, the whole pan was a boiling heap of pink foam:(

Carefully remove the strawberries with a slotted spoon and leave to one side - note to self - get a spoon with more slots in it!

Now add the juice of the lemon's to the strawberry juice in the pan and bring to a boil. Boil in 5 minute slots, testing at the end of each slot for setting (I use a plate in the fridge and a teaspoon).

Test again after the second 5 minute boil. Remove pan from heat until this test is checked. I found around  2 x 5 minute tests was about right for me as one more 5 minute boil will be needed with the fruit in.

Once ready put the strawberries and any juice back into the pan and gently boil (not a rolling boil) for another 5 minutes. If a lot of scum has formed, put a little dab of butter in the pan for the last 2 minutes. Remove jars from oven and fill. I always have an assortment of little jars warmed just in case I have any leftovers.

The set is still not brilliant but the taste is okay. It probably would have been better if I hadn't forgotten about it - ah well, such things are always a learning curve and like I said, strawberry jam is a rare event in this household.

Just to remind anyone who is following, my World War II Diary for Year III has been updated!

4 comments:

  1. I love making and eating strawberry jam. I'm doing a swap with a friend.. I'll give her a jar of strawberry jam and she'll give us some fruit scones in return. Her scones are lovely so I'm happy with that :o)

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    1. Sounds a right good swap there Julie, hope you and she enjoy the gifts.

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  2. I had to smile reading this post! our strawberries never last long enough to make any jam! We have eaten 1 kilo since the weekend!

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    Replies
    1. We only eat our own strawberries. These were some cheap bought ones to make the jam.

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