Apricot Rosemary Jam 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.

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.

PLUM-ROSEMARY JAM

Steps:

• Combine the plums, sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a medium saucepan or Dutch oven. Toss well and let stand until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is juicy, about 20 minutes.
• Wrap the rosemary sprig in a square of cheesecloth; tie closed. Add to the pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally and skimming off any foam, until thickened and the fruit is broken down, 30 to 35 minutes. Gently mash any large plum chunks with a potato masher or rubber spatula. Discard the rosemary. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Remove from the heat and let the jam cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.
• Transfer the jam to a jar or other airtight container. Refrigerate until cold and fully jelled, at least 2 hours. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

SHERRY ROSEMARY APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Wash 2 pint jars (or a few half-pint jars) so that they are ready to go when your preserves are ready to be canned.
• Add the apricots to the boiling water in a bowl along with 1/2 cup sherry and the rosemary sprigs. Let soak until the apricots are rehydrated, about 30 minutes. Strain the apricots, reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid. Add the apricots, reserved liquid and lemon zest to a large non-reactive pan. Stir in the pectin.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and add the sugar, lemon juice, chopped rosemary and remaining 1/4 cup sherry. Boil until the sugar is dissolved and the jam is thick (you can check by spooning the jam onto the back of a wooden spoon; if you can run your finger through it without it spreading, it is good!) for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Transfer the cooked jam to the jars. Let the jam cool to room temperature. Serve right away, or keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

BAKED APRICOT ROSEMARY CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, heat the jam until melted, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer the jam to a large baking dish. Add the olive oil, mustard, honey, soy sauce, orange zest, crushed garlic, rosemary, 3/4 teaspoon salt and some pepper and mix until combined. Season the chicken with additional salt and pepper and add to the marinade. Gently flip until mixed and coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. Garnish with orange wedges if desired.

APRICOT-ROSEMARY GLAZED PORK LOIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Remove any excess fat from the roast.
• Place roast in a 13x9-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• In a small saucepan, heat the preserves, sherry, rosemary and garlic over medium heat, stirring frequently.
• When thickened, spoon 1/4 cup mixture onto pork reserving remainder.
• Insert meat thermometer so tip is in center of thickest part of pork.
• Bake uncovered 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until the thermometer reads 155°F.
• Cover pork with foil and allow to stand 15 to 20 minutes or until thermometer reads 160°F.
• Cut roast into slices.
• Heat the reserved apricot mixture and serve with roast.

APRICOT-ROSEMARY BRIE IN BOULE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
• Combine apricot jam and rosemary in meduim bowl, mixing well; set aside.
• Cut off circular top of bread and remove bread inside the boule, reserving chunks for dipping later.
• Thinly spread butter inside bread shell.
• Combine apricot-rosemary mixture to chopped brie, tossing gently to coat.
• Put coated brie into boule, scraping bowl well, replacing top of bread.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 20- 30 minutes.
• Dip or spread hot cheese onto reserved bread or crackers.

ROSEMARY-APRICOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°. Mix salt, rosemary, pepper and garlic. Rub mixture into chicken.
• Place chicken, meaty side up, in pan and bake for 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix apricot jam, lemon juice, and mustard. Brush apricot mixture over chicken. Bake for 20 minutes longer or until juices run clear.
• serve.