Brandied Ginger Apricot Jam Food

BRANDIED GINGER APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir to mix. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apricots have cooked down to a thickened jam consistency, about 30 - 45 minutes.
• Carefully pour the hot jam into hot, sterilized jars and use a clean cloth to wipe the rims clean. Put the lids on immediately, tighten the rings fully and (using a towel to handle the hot jars) set the jars upside down until the jars seal. If any of the jars do not seal, use those first! Label the jam and remove the rings before storing.

BRANDIED APRICOT TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add egg yolk. Gradually add milk, tossing with a fork until a ball forms., Press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 11-in. fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 350°., In a small saucepan, combine preserves and brandy; cook and stir over low heat until melted. Brush 2 tablespoons over crust. Arrange apricots over crust and brush with preserve mixture. , Bake 18-22 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with almonds. Serve with whipped cream if desired.

APRICOT AND BRANDY JAM

Steps:

• Combine apricots and water in a bowl, cover, and let stand overnight, or until soft and well plumped (about 12 hours).
• Combine apricots and their soaking water in saucepan with the orange peel and juice and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the sugar and bring to boil, while stirring.
• Boil gently, stirring often, until the mixture is thick and shiny and begins to clear the sides of the pan when stirred.
• While mixture thickens, be sure to stir it continually but gently, so that the fruit does not burn or get squashed (about 30 minutes, but may vary).
• DO NOT ALLOW THE MIXTURE TO COOK DOWN TO A PUREE; it should retain good-sized bits of apricot.
• Remove the preserve from heat and stir in almond extract and brandy.
• Ladle into 3 half-pint canning jars, prepared in usual manner and seal with sterilized 2 piece screw-on lids.
• Cool and let mellow several weeks or more before serving.

APRICOT AND GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Wash, chop and de-stone apricots. Have jars sterilized in preparation.
• Measure 8 cups of chopped apricots into a large stock pot, along with the 4 cups of sugar, 1/2 cup lemon juice, and grated ginger.
• Bring to a boil over a high heat, stirring occasionally. Once at a rolling boil, turn down the heat to keep it at a controlled boil for 23 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking. Note: It should be bubbling, not simmering. Start your timer when it begins to boil and at this stage add the 1 tablespoon of butter.
• At the end of 23 minutes it should have reduced down to a thick, sticky consistency but will still slide easily off the spoon. Don't worry, it will thicken as it cools.
• Jar while it is still warm and moves easily.

APRICOT JAM WITH BRANDY

Steps:

• Halve the Apricots, and remove the stone. Crack one third of the stones and remove the kernels; Blanche by dipping into hot water.
• Place the Apricots, kernels, water and lemon juice into a pan and simmer until it is tender, test for pectin. When a satisfactory clot is formed, add the sugar (sugar is best warmed beforehand) stir until disolved then bring to boil and boil rapidly until setting point is reached stirring occasionally.
• Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the Brandy, remove any scum and pour into hot sterilized jars and cover.

DRIED APRICOT AND PUMPKIN JAM

Steps:

• Soak the apricots overnight in 500 ml of water.
• The next day, peel the pumpkin into small chunks and cook gently in the rest of the water and lemon juice.
• Pour in the soaked apricots and water and cook for a further 10 minutes.
• Add the sugar and bring to the boil again, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
• Bottle and seal.