Apricot Pepper Marmalade Food

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.

HABANERO APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Pit and chop apricots; place in a Dutch oven. Stir in lemon juice. Place habaneros in a blender; add a small amount of apricot mixture. Cover and process until smooth. Return to the pan. , Stir in pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly., Remove from the heat; skim off foam. Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 5 minutes in a boiling-water canner. , For best results, let processed jam stand at room temperature for 2 weeks to set up.

APRICOT JALAPENO JAM

Steps:

• Combine peppers, apricots, jalapenos, vinegar and sugar in a medium stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a full boil over high heat and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add pectin; return to a boil and boil rapidly for 1 minute (or longer to achieve desired consistency). Remove from heat.
• Ladle into sterilized jars and process in a for the Shorter Time Processing Procedure- 5 minutes, with additional minutes if altitude is over 300 ft.
• Makes 4-5 half pint jars!

APRICOT PEPPER MARMALADE

Steps:

• Heal oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat.
• Add peppers and onions, reduce heat to medium low and saute 3-4 minutes, until vegetables soften, not browning.
• Add remaining ingredients and simmer 20 minutes.
• Cool marmalade and then store in refrigerator.

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.

CRISPY APRICOT PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly brush a rimmed baking sheet with oil; set aside.
• Tear bread into large pieces; place in food processor. Pulse until large crumbs form. Drizzle with oil; pulse once or twice, just until crumbs are moistened (you should have about 1 1/2 cups crumbs).
• Season pork chops generously with salt and pepper; spread one side of each chop with 1 teaspoon jam. Dividing evenly, sprinkle breadcrumbs over jam, and pat them on gently.
• Transfer pork, coated side up, to prepared baking sheet. Bake until crust is golden and pork is opaque throughout (meat should register 150 degrees.on an instant-read thermometer), 14 to 16 minutes. Serve immediately.

APRICOT PINEAPPLE MARMALADE

Steps:

• Rinse apricots, remove stems, cut or break in half and remove pits. Finely chop or run apricot halves through a meat grinder using the large holes; there should be about 8 cups. Place in a large pot with the pineapple and orange zest.
• Mix 1/4 cup sugar with pectin and stir into apricots. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add remaing 4 3/4 cups sugar. Return to a boil and boil for 1 - 5 minutes, depending on how firm you would like the marmalade to be (longer = thicker and stronger flavour).
• Remove from heat; stir and skim foam for 5 minutes (important step that removes unsightly foam and also prevents floating fruit in your marmalade). Ladle into warm sterilized canning jars leaving 1/4" headspace. Cap, seal and process ina water bath for 10 minutes. Makes about 8 cups.

DRIED APRICOT MARMALADE

Steps:

• Soak apricots in water overnight; drain and cut into pieces.
• Peel citrus fruit and remove white pith.
• Shred colored peel and chop fruit finely; add lemon juice and apricots.
• Add pineapple.
• Measure fruit and add an equal volume of sugar.
• Cook until thick, stirring carefully to prevent scorching.
• Add pine nuts, if desired.
• Fill sterilized jars, cover and process in a boiling water bath for ten minutes to seal.

APRICOT ORANGE MARMALADE

Steps:

• Coarsely grate and keep the zest.
• Separate the orange segments.
• Combine orange segments (minus membranes), zest, apricots and sugar.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat.
• When mixture begins to boil, start mashing.
• Reduce the heat to maintain a low boil and cook for 15 minutes, stirring constantly--apricots like to burn.
• Hot pack and seal.
• Hot water bath 15 minutes.

APRICOT JALAPENO JELLY

Steps:

• Place the jalapenos, pepper and vinegar in a blender (or food processor).
• Pulse until small chunks remain.
• Combine apricots, sugar and the pepper/vinegar mixture in a large saucepan.
• Bring to a boil; boil rapidly for 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat; skim off any foam that forms.
• Allow mixture to cool for 2 minutes.
• Mix in the pectin.
• Pour into sterilized jars, seal and cool.
• (At this point I turn the sealed jars over several times as they cool for about 10 minutes at a time to keep the fruit nicely distributed in the jar).
• * Note; It is an excellent idea to wear rubber gloves when working with hot peppers, they otherwise may make the hands burn. And don't rub your eyes!

DRIED APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Soak apricots in boiling water in a bowl until hydrated, about 30 minutes. Blend apricots, remaining water, and vanilla extract in a food processor, working in batches, until blended but still slightly chunky.
• Combine apricot mixture with pectin in a large pot over medium heat; cook until just boiling. Add sugar and lemon juice; boil until sugar has dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the 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 10 minutes.
• Remove jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool, about 1 hour. 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.