Apricot Jam Food

MCP® APRICOT-PINEAPPLE JAM

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain jars well before filling.
• Chop finely or grind unpeeled and pitted apricots. Measure exactly 3 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Add crushed pineapple and lemon juice.
• Stir pectin into prepared fruit in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to a full rolling boil and boil exactly 4 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on a towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

STICKY APRICOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat.
• Add a splash of oil and brown the chicken pieces all over until the skin is crisp and golden, approximately 10-15 minutes.
• In the meantime, mix together all the glaze ingredients. Add 2 tablespoons water to thin the glaze out a little but not enough to make it overly watery.
• When the chicken is golden brown and almost cooked through, pour off the excess fat.
• Return the pot to the heat and add the glaze.
• Allow the glaze to simmer gently, basting the chicken regularly until the glaze has reduced and the chicken is cooked through.
• Serve the chicken on rice with a generous amount of glaze spooned over.

SMALL BATCH LOW SUGAR APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Wash, half and pit the apricots. Throw them in a pot with wide bottom. Add water and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring almost constantly.
• After 10 minutes the apricots will turn into a mash. This is the time to add sugar and lemon juice. Stir and simmer on low heat for 40 minutes or until it thickens and the apricots are completely mushy. This way there is no need to run the mixture through a sieve at all.
• To see if the jam has thickened pour some of it onto a small plate that has been previously in the freezer. Let it cool down a bit. Now make a line through the jam with your finger. If the jam fills the space (the drawn line) it's not quite thick yet so continue simmering. If it doesn't, you can start filling your jars.
• Pour or spoon the jam into jars leaving about 0.4 inch (1 cm) free from the top. Seal with lids, turn up-side down and let them cool completely.
• To check if the lids are properly sealed simply tap/push down each lid. If it doesn't pop up or down, it's sealed. If the lid does pop up or down it's not air-tight. Place those in the fridge and eat within a week. The rest of them should last for several months.

HOMEMADE APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Stir apricots, lemon juice, and sugar together in a large pot over medium heat; add butter to reduce foaming. Bring apricot mixture to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Quickly stir in pectin; return to a full boil until pectin is dissolved, 1 minute. Remove from heat and skim off any foam with a metal spoon.
• Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack apricot jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 5 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, for at least 24 hours. Press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). It may take up to 2 weeks for jam to set. Store in a cool, dark area.

APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Sterilize your canning jars by boiling for 10 minutes in a hot water canner.
• You will need 5 pint jars or 10 half-pints.
• Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot.
• Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
• Once mixture reaches a rolling boil, continue to boil it for 30 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking.
• Remove from heat and fill jars, leaving 1/4 head space.
• Wipe rims clean and put the 2-piece metal canning lids in place.
• Process in boiling water canner for 10 minutes.

APRICOT CONSERVE

Steps:

• Put a couple of small plates in the freezer. Halve and stone the apricots, chop the flesh, then put in a large pan with the apple juice. Crack some of the kernels to extract the nut inside (this is easy to do if you crack with the flat side of a heavy saucepan), then add them to the pan - this is optional, but gives extra flavour. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 mins, until the apricots are softened.
• Stir in the sugar and lemon juice, then stir well over a moderate heat to dissolve the sugar. Increase the heat and boil for about 20 mins until jam has set. Test by spooning a little jam onto one of your cold plates. After a moment push the jam with your finger; if the jam wrinkles, it is ready. If not, return to the boil for a further 5 mins, then test again.
• Remove from the heat, skim off any scum, then stir in the butter to dissolve any remaining scum. Cool for 10 mins, stir again, then ladle into warm sterilised jars. Seal, label, then store in the fridge for 4-6 weeks.

DRIED APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Put the apricots in a large pan, add 1.5 litres water, cover and leave overnight to soak.
• Next day, place a small plate in the fridge to chill. Put the apricots and water on the hob, then add the lemon juice and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, then simmer for 30 mins or until the apricots are tender and starting to break up.
• Remove from the heat and add the sugar, stirring until it dissolves. Return to the heat and boil rapidly for 20 mins or until setting point is reached. To check this, remove the plate from the fridge, put a spoonful of jam onto the plate and pop it back in the fridge for a few mins - the jam should wrinkle when you push it with your finger. A sugar thermometer will also give you the setting point of jam, which is 105C.
• Carefully pour the jam into hot sterilised jars, top with a disc of wax paper or baking parchment, seal with a lid, then leave to cool and set. The jam will last for 6 months unopened in a cool, dark cupboard.

BLACKBERRY-APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• In a large, non-reactive pot (stainless steel or enameled cast iron), combine the apricot puree, blackberry pulp and sugar and bring to a simmer. Let the mixture reach a boil, stirring frequently to prevent it from boiling over. Add cinnamon and lemon zest/juice and stir to combine. When the mixture appears to be thickening a bit, add the pectin. After adding the pectin, let the jam boil vigorously for at least five minutes.
• Fill your jars with the hot jam, wipe rims, apply lids and rings and process in a boiling water canner for ten minutes.
• Remove from canner and allow the jars to completely cool on a dishtowel-lined counter top.
• Once the jars are cool, check the seals, label them and enjoy one cold morning in February.

APRICOT JAM RECIPE

Steps:

• Put a rack on the bottom of the canner and fill with enough water to cover the jars and bring to a simmer
• Add 6 empty 8 oz half pint jars to the simmering water & leave until ready to use. Bring a small pan of water to a simmer and put the jar lids in the hot water. Turn off heat.
• Cut the apricots in half and remove the pits
• In a large, deep stainless steel saucepan, combine apricots, sugar, and lemon juice.
• Over medium-high heat, using a wooden spoon and stirring constantly, bring the apricot mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.
• Stir in pectin, and boil hard for one minute, stirring constantly
• Remove from heat and skim off foam
• Remove hot jars from canner and ladle hot jam into jars, leaving a 1/4" head space. With a damp cloth or paper towel, wipe the jar rims to remove any spills. Top each jar with a lid, then thread the screw bands on until just finger tight.
• Return filled jars to the boiling water canner and process for 10 minutes
• Place jars on a towel on the counter and allow to cool
• Check the seals (see note below), label and store
• Wash jars in the dishwasher or by hand in hot soapy water

APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Crack a few apricot stones and remove kernels.
• Put apricots, kernels and water into a preserving pan. Cook slowly until fruit is pulpy.
• Add Sugar. Stir until dissolved.
• Boil briskly for 30 minutes or until setting point is reached.
• Remove the kernels and pour jam into sterilised jars.
• Makes about 10x350ml jars.

APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Toss the apricots, sugar, lemon zest and juice and vanilla in a large saucepan to combine, then mash slightly to release some of the apricot juice. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the apricots 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. (See Cook's Note for suggested add-in.) 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 35 minutes. To test doneness, place a small amount of the jam onto the chilled plate and freeze for 2 minutes. Drag your finger or a spoon through the jam. If it 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, tightly covered. The jam will keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

APRICOT-MUSTARD GLAZE

Steps:

• Combine the apricot jam, mustard, vinegar and lots of black pepper in the jam jar or a mason jar. Shake until well blended.
• Use the glaze like you would a BBQ sauce. Brush on or pour over pieces of grilled or pan-seared chicken, pork chop or salmon just before it's done cooking and let cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

CLASSIC APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Measure your apricots; to every cup of apricots, add 3/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• Stand, covered, for 12 hours at room temperature
• Stir mixture in a heavy, non-reactive pan over medium high to avoid sticking to bottom of pot; boil until thick (5 minutes), continuing to stir
• Ladle hot jam into in hot sterilized glasses; seal
• Process as you would for any preserved jam, or freeze

APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Mix apricots and lemon juice in a large pot; add sugar. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cook and stir until apricot mixture thickens, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and skim foam if necessary.
• Meanwhile, prepare jars, lids, and rings by cleaning and sterilizing in dishwasher or boiling water bath. Leave lids in simmering water until ready to seal jars.
• Ladle hot jam into hot sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of space on top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.