Black Currant Jam Food

BLACKCURRANT JAM

Steps:

• Pick all the stalks from the blackcurrants, place the fruit in a saucepan, cover with 250ml/9fl oz water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until the skins of the currants are very tender and the liquid has almost evaporated.
• Add the sugar and lemon juice, bring to the boil then cook until the mixture reaches 105C/220F on a sugar thermometer.
• Leave to cool for a few minutes then pour into hot, clean jars and seal immediately.

BLACKCURRANT JAM

Steps:

• If you don't have a cooking thermometer, put a saucer in the freezer. Sterilise the jars you want to use. Tip the blackcurrants into a heavy-based saucepan with about 100ml of water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins until the fruit has broken down to a chunky pulp. Leave to cool slightly.
• You now have two options. For a smooth jelly-style jam, squash the fruit through a sieve into a bowl. If you prefer your jam chunky and seeded, leave the pulp as it is. Whether it's strained or unstrained, weigh the fruit pulp and then add 400g of sugar to every 500g of pulp, then tip back in the saucepan.
• Pour in the lemon juice then heat gently, stirring, to dissolve the sugar. Turn up the heat, then boil hard for about 10 mins or until it reaches 105C (setting point) on a cooking thermometer. If you don't own a thermometer, test for setting point by spooning a little jam onto the cold saucer. After a couple of minutes gently push your finger through the jam - if the surface wrinkles, it's ready. If not, return to the boil for 2 mins, then re-test.
• Take off the heat and skim off any froth with a slotted spoon. Cool for 10-15 minutes. Stir gently to distribute the fruit, then ladle into sterilised jars. Keeps for 6 months in a cool dry cupboard.

BEST EVER BLACK CURRANT JAM

Steps:

• Add the black currants to a deep pot along with the sugar and lemon juice.
• Stir to combine and turn the heat to high, stirring every now and then until the mixture starts to bubble and become hot.
• Use a potato masher to mash the currants until they begin to fall apart.
• When the mixture begins to boil, continue to stir every 30 seconds or so.
• Use an instant-read thermometer - here's a link to mine (affiliate link) - to measure the temperature of the jam as it boils. Be sure the thermometer is measuring at the middle of the jam and not touching the bottom of the pot.
• Continue boiling as the temperature climbs and don't let it stop boiling until it reaches 220 degrees Fahrenheit (for low altitudes) or 210 degrees Fahrenheit (for high altitudes). This should take about 8 minutes or so.
• Once the correct temperature is reached, remove the pot from the heat and carefully spoon the jam into 2 mason jars. The jam might seem a little bit liquid at this stage - don't worry! It will thicken as it cools.
• Add the lids to the jars and allow to cool at room temperature until completely cool.
• Store in the fridge and enjoy!

BLACK CURRANT JAM

Steps:

• Place the black currants in a medium stock pot along with the water. Bring to a boil then simmer for about 10 minutes until the berries are softened. Add the sugar and lemon juice and simmer until the temperature registers 220 degrees F. (I use an instant read thermometer.)
• If you're going to use the jam within a few months, pour the jam into sterilized jars and once cool store in the fridge.For long-term storage you can use the water bath canning method: Ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, wipe the rims of the jars and screw on the lids. Process the jars in a water bath canner (5 minutes for half pints, 10 minutes for pints and quarts). Carefully remove the jars and let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours before removing the rims and storing them in a dark cool place to store. Makes about 3 pints.

PEAR AND BLACK CURRANT JAM CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter a 9" x 9" baking dish. (If making for company, use four 6 ounce ramekins for a more elegant presentation.).
• In a large bowl, combine the pears, black currant jam and 2 tablespoons butter.
• Toss to blend.
• In a separate bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg together.
• Using the tip of your fingers or a pastry blender, cut the 3 tablespoons of butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Put the pear mixture into the baking dish.
• Sprinkle evenly with the topping mixture.
• Bake until bubbly and golden, about 30 minutes.

RED AND BLACK CURRANT JAM

Steps:

• Place the red currants in a medium-sized, heavy bottom pan over medium-high heat and cook until they are steaming. Stir and press on them gently so they release their juices. When most of the berries are broken (after 4 to 5 minutes) and have released their juices, remove them from the heat and put them gently through a food mill - the pulp left from the berries should still be somewhat moist, not totally dry. If you press the berries too much, the resulting jelly won't be crystal clear. Strain the juice through a fine -mesh sieve and reserve.
• Place the black currants and the water in a medium-sized, heavy bottom pan over medium high heat and cook until the berries and liquid are steaming. Stir, pressing on the berries, so they release their juices. When the berries are soft and broken and have released much of their juice remove from the heat and put them gently through a food mill. If you press the berries too much, the resulting jelly won't be crystal clear.Strain the juice through a fine -mesh sieve, and reserve.
• Combine the juices and the sugar in a medium, heavy bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Set the timer for exactly 3 minutes, remove from the heat and ladle the jelly into sterilized canning jars.