Alices Raspberry Jam Food

RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Toss the raspberries, sugar and lemon zest and juice in a medium saucepan to combine, then mash slightly to release some of the berry juice. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the raspberries to macerate and the sugar to dissolve. Meanwhile, place a small plate in the freezer to chill; this will be used to test the doneness of the jam.
• Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium, stirring frequently. Continue to cook until the jam becomes thick and syrupy, about 25 minutes. To test doneness, place a small amount of the jam onto the chilled plate and freeze for 2 minutes. Drag your finger or spoon through it. If the jam holds its shape and thickness, the jam is done; remove from the heat. If it's runny, continue to cook and test again in 5-minute increments. Once the jam has reached the right consistency, transfer to jars and cool completely before storing, covered tightly. Jam will keep in the refrigerator up to 6 months.

OLD-FASHIONED RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• 1. Place sugar in an ovenproof shallow pan and warm in a 250°F (120°C) oven for 15 minutes. (Warm sugar dissolves better.)
• 2. Place berries in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a full boil over high heat, mashing berries with a potato masher as they heat. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• 3. Add warm sugar, return to a boil, and boil until mixture will form a gel (see tips, below), about 5 minutes.
• 4. Ladle into sterilized jars and process as directed for Shorter Time Processing Procedure .
• Tip: To make a small boiling-water canner, tie several screw bands together with string or use a small round cake rack in the bottom of a large covered Dutch oven. Be sure the pan is high enough for 2 inches (5 cm) of water to cover the jars when they are sitting on the rack.

ALICE'S RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine raspberries and sugar. Let stand until the berries start rendering their juice, about 15 minutes.
• Place a small plate in the freezer to use later to test the consistency of the jam. Prepare two 1-pint canning jars and self-sealing lids in boiling water, following manufacturer's instructions.
• Bring the saucepan of berries to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. The mixture will bubble up, rising high up the sides of the saucepan. Skim off any light-colored foam as it collects on the edges. Soon the jam will boil down again, forming smaller, thicker bubbles. At this point, start testing the consistency by putting small spoonfuls of the jam on the cold plate. This will cool off the jam sample quickly so you can tell what the finished texture will be like. When the jam has cooked to the thickness you want, stir in lemon juice. Turn off the heat, and carefully ladle the jam into the prepared canning jars, allowing at least 1/4 inch of headroom. Clean the lip of the jars with a clean, damp towel, and seal with the lids, following manufacturer's instructions. The jam will keep for about 1 year.

ALICE'S CREPES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat milk, salt, sugar, and butter until butter has melted. Let cool to room temperature.
• Place flour in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center, and add oil and eggs. Beat until the batter is too stiff to beat and is smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the milk mixture little by little, beating until smooth. Strain the batter through a fine sieve, and then whisk in beer. Chill overnight.
• Heat a crepe pan over medium-high heat until a drop of water sizzles in the pan. (The first crepe may stick a little if your pan is not heated to the proper temperature.) Rub the pan with a little butter, wiping out the excess with a paper towel. Ladle a thin layer of the batter (about 2 tablespoons) into the center of the pan, tilting and rotating the pan to cover the bottom as thinly and evenly as possible. Lightly brown the first side for 1 to 2 minutes. Gently flip the crepe over, and brown the other side for about a minute. Turn out onto plastic wrap. The crepes may be covered and kept at room temperature for a few hours or refrigerated for up to two days. To reheat crepes, place in a covered baking dish, and transfer to an oven heated to 400 degrees until heated through.
• To serve, spread warm crepes with jam or butter. Drizzle lemon juice over the butter, and sprinkle with sugar. Fold into quarters, and serve immediately.

HOMEMADE RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Before you start, sterilise your jars (see tip below) and put a plate in the freezer to chill. Tip half the raspberries into a preserving pan and add the lemon juice. Mash the berries to a pulp over the heat with a potato masher, then leave to cook for 5 mins. Tip the cooked berries into a sieve over a bowl, then once all of the juice has drained off, firmly work the pulp through the sieve with a wooden spoon until you are left with just the seeds.
• Tip the juice and pulp back into the preserving pan and stir in the sugar. Heat gently, then add the remaining whole raspberries. Bring to the boil, then boil rapidly for 5 mins. Remove from the heat and drop a little jam onto the chilled plate. Now push your finger through it - it should wrinkle and look like jam. If it doesn't, boil for 2 mins, then test again.
• The top of the jam may look like it has sediment on it, but I find that if you stir it well as it cools, a little of this disappears. Pour into the jars and seal. It will keep unopened for a year, although the lovely bright colour will darken a little. Once open, keep in the fridge.