Apricot Lavender Jam Food

APRICOT LAVENDER JAM

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup sugar and lavender blossoms in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until the lavender blossoms are finely chopped and the sugar is fragrant.
• Measure apricots; you should have 5 cups prepared fruit. Chop finely and place into a plastic or glass bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Add lavender sugar and lemon; mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Inspect 8 half-pint jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Mix 1/4 cup of the remaining sugar and pectin together in a bowl; add to apricots. Transfer fruit mixture to a large saucepan and mix well. Slowly bring to a full rolling boil that does not stop bubbling when stirred. Add the remaining sugar and stir well, scraping over the bottom of the pan, to fully dissolve the sugar. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Ladle apricot jam immediately into the prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and tightly screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Let rest for 24 hours without moving the jars. Gently press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

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.

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 ROSEMARY JAM

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine apricots, rosemary and sugar; mix well and let sit about 30 minutes until juices form at the bottom of the bowl.
• Transfer the mixture, with juices, to a large pot and heat over medium high.
• Once mixture begins to boil, reduce heat to medium and cook, while stirring often, until apricots are soft and begin to lose their shape, about 30 minutes, or more (they should not have darkened significantly).
• Add a little water (up to a cup) if mixture starts sticking.
• Press apricots through a ricer or fine mesh strainer and return to pot; discard solids.
• Taste for sweetness and add sugar if needed; cook jam a few minutes more to dissolve any added sugar (flavor mellows as it cools).
• While still hot, ladle jam into hot, sterilized canning jars, leaving about 1/4 inch head space at the top; remove air bubbles by running a nonmetallic utensil or skewer between the jar and the jam.
• Top with new, clean lids, close tightly, and let come to room temperature.
• Check seal by pressing down in center of lid, it should not spring up.
• Process any jars that have not sealed in a hot water bath for 15 minutes; retest.
• NOTE: To sterilize the empty jars, fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat so that the water is barely bubbling. Have ready seven 8-ounce canning jars with 2-piece lids. Immerse the pint jars in the canning kettle. Place the rings and lids in a separate small saucepan and cover them with hot water. Leave the jars and lids immersed while you cook the jam.

APRICOT " JAM"

Steps:

• Chop the dried apricots into very small pieces.
• Put the apricots, water and syrup/fructose into a small saucepan and bring to the boil.
• Boil rapidly for a few minutes, but don't let it boil dry!
• Take off the heat and allow to cool.