Apricot Lavender Jam 2012 Food

APRICOT LAVENDER JAM 2012

Steps:

• Freeze the fruit. Thaw and strain. Cook juice down to 1/4 to thicken and concentrate the flavor. Cook apricots in copper confiture pan and add back juice. Cook to thick consistency as desired. Add lavender and stir in and let cook for 5 minutes and then put the jam in sterile jars. Cook in water bath for 10 minutes if needed. I did with the jars that had not sealed by the time I got all of the jars filled. This jam is spectacular on fresh croissants! The flavor puts me right back in southern France with Deva and the boys in a small stone cafe where we first say this combination made at the cafe.

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.