Saturday, November 28, 2009

Making Strawberry Jam

I thought I'd document the process so I can follow it the next time I make jam.

  1. Put on a large pot of water to boil.
  2. Place a clean tea towel on the counter
  3. Wash jars/lids in hot soapy water
  4. Keep a sink of hot soapy water ready to add pots/bowls, utensils for easier washing later
  5. Place jars in pot of boiling water to sterilize for 10 minutes - also add ladle and tongs
  6. Wash and cut strawberries - place in large pyrex glass bowl for measuring
  7. Use wand mixer to blend strawberries. Keep adding berries until it measures 4 cups of pureed berries.
  8. Transfer berries to pot on med-high heat.
  9. Add 1/4 cup of lemon juice
  10. Add 2 cups of sugar
  11. Stir in sugar until dissolved then add liquid pectin
  12. Boil on med-high heat for 8-10 minutes until it turns darker (maroon) in colour. Keep stirring to avoid the jam burning. Liquid pectin reduces cooking time!! Stir and watch the pot constantly as the jam can burn in an instant.
  13. When done, take off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes - skim off foam from top
  14. Take hot jars out of the water at the last minute (they must be hot for the lids to set) and set on tea towel
  15. Pour jam into jars and screw on lids.
  16. Don't screw lids too tight or air can't escape
  17. Jars should seal as the jars cool.

Makes 9 - small jars of jam. The whole process from start to finish takes about 45 minutes.

No comments: