J is for Jam


J is for JAM

I love jam!

On weekends I have jam on my toast, crumpets or muffins for breakfast.

I use to buy jam, but one day late last year I decided to make my own.  I did think jam making was some complicated scientific process.  It isn't, it is so easy to make and I am thrilled that I overcome my fear and can now whip up a batch of jam whenever I want to. Basically it is fruit, sugar and little water or lemon juice and that's about it. 

As for sterilizing the jars, I pop mine in the oven at 100C for the length of time my jam is cooking.  The lids go into a saucepan of boiling water and bubble away for around 15 mins. Its that easy.

If you have never made jam, give it a go.  I bought a couple of books - The Australian Women's Weekly has a great one called "Preserves" but most books are very helpful.   The most important thing about making jam is reading up on the right amount of sugar to fruit and what jam looks like when it starts to "set".  Do your research first.  And DON'T PANIC.

A few weekends a go I made Crab Apple jelly (my first attempt at jellies) and surprised at how well it turned out. This one took me two days:

Day one: Cook 1kg of crab apples (cut in halves-not need to peel) + .5kg of new seasons Granny Smith apples (no need to peel or core) with 1.2 litres of water and the peel of one lemon. (I only added the Granny's as I didn't have enough crab apples - but it does at a nice taste).  Cook until the apples turn to mush - takes approximately 40 mins.

Place apple mush into a Jelly Bag (something like this one) and leave to drain - I left mine overnight.  When finished I was left with 3 cups (600ml) of pink thick liquid.  Don't squeeze the bag otherwise it will make the jelly cloudy. Throw apple mush away.
Day two: Add 600grams of sugar to the crab apple liquid and dissolve over heat.  Once dissolved, boil for 5 minutes or until it passes the setting test. Mine took 10 mins.
Four jars of Crab Apple Jelly
If you have never made jams before, do try as it is fun and the end product tastes great. At least you know what is in your jam, that may not be the case with what you buy.  The one thing I have learnt about jam making - don't panic, if it isn't setting . . . just wait a little longer.  The other useful tip (this one is from my dad) - if you see fruit cheap (eg apricots) buy and throw in the freezer.  This means you can make jam at anytime of the year.

They also make great gifts - two friends visited for afternoon tea on Sunday and they left with a jar of jam each for their husbands!!

Comments

  1. It is fun, isn't it? I've made a few different jellies - and while more time-consuming (although it doesn't need babying), it isn't really difficult, and I really like the taste of jellies! :)
    Your crab-apple jelly looks lovely!! :)

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    1. I would like to try my hand at quince jelly next - but I have never seen it in the stores, perhaps the farmers market might have some. My dad use to make quince jelly and it was so yummy.

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  2. you have done very good friend...nice post...thanks for share do i dont make jam...i love them specialy peaches

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    1. I made peach jam this year and it was very nice - this is my son's favourite jam.

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  3. I have not had to buy jelly or jam in years. The home made kind is so much better!

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    1. I was afraid of making it, but gave it a go in December and had so much fun ever since. It really is so much nicer than the bought jams and my sons love it!

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  4. Hello. I love the look of your jam. My sister lives in Essendon, Victoria and she recently sent me beautiful photos over the internet of her chili pepper-raspberry jam. I have not heard of that. The jars looked so nice sitting on a sill with the light behind them.

    I wonder if you'd be interested in my recent blog post about Kon Martin, the father of Jesse Martin, which I posted several hours ago, on homeliving.

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    1. What an unusual jam - it sounds like something my husband would like. I can't imagine what it would taste like. I have made a lot of jams and chutneys this summer so my pantry is full and I have enough to give some away as gifts when people visit.

      Yes, I have visited your blog about the Martins, what a lovely house - I noticed it was up for sale, what a great spot for a holiday house (not sure if I could live there all the time as I don't like the humidity anymore)!!

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