Budget Berry Jam Food

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• The night before you make your jam, layer the blackberries and sugar together in a very large bowl, then cover and set aside at room temperature. This helps the sugar to start dissolving so you don't run the risk of over-cooking the fruit when you actually begin to make the jam. The next morning, give everything a quick stir, then set aside again until you are ready to start cooking.
• Before you start, put a small saucer in the freezer. Take a preserving pan or a large, wide-based pan (the wider and more open the pan, the faster the jam will be ready, so a preserving pan is really ideal) and tip the berries in, scraping out all the juices and any undissolved sugar. Stir in the lemon juice, then collect all the pips and secure them inside a tea-leaf strainer or piece of muslin before adding them to the pan (cooking the pips along with the fruit extracts the pectin they contain, helping your jam to set).
• Start the blackberries over a low heat until all the sugar is completely dissolved, then bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins. Turn off the heat and spoon a little hot syrupy jam onto the chilled saucer. Once it's cool, push it with your finger. If it wrinkles a little, it's ready and has reached setting point. If it's too runny to wrinkle, return the pan to the heat and boil in 2 or 3-minute stages, removing the pan from the heat each time you do the saucer check, until the jam wrinkles.
• Skim off any excess scum, then stir in the knob of butter, if you want - this will help to dissolve any remaining scum. Leave the jam for 15 mins before ladling into sterilised jars - this allows the fruit to settle so it doesn't sink to the bottom. The jam will keep in a cool, dark place for at least 6 months. Refrigerate jars once opened.

BUDGET BERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat combine tomato pulp and sugar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the gelatin mix. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal. When jars are cool put them in the freezer.

NO PECTIN JAM (3 WAYS)

Steps:

• Cook: Combine berries, sugar, juice, and zest in a medium saucepan. Set over medium heat and cook, uncovered, until berries begin to soften. Use a potato masher or fork to mash the berries a bit, then increase heat to medium/high and let simmer (10 min for cranberries, 20-30 min for strawberries and blueberries).
• Cool: Remove from heat and allow to cool (mixture will thicken as it cools).

BERRY & CHOCOLATE LOADED COOKIES

Steps:

• Put the butter and both sugars in a large bowl and whisk using electric beaters until light and fluffy. Add the whole egg and egg yolk, then mix thoroughly, scraping down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is combined. Add the almond and vanilla extracts, and mix to combine.
• Tip in the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate and salt, and mix until it forms a dough. Keep mixing until you don't have any more pockets of flour. Knead in the chocolate chips.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Divide the mixture into 26-28 equal balls of around 40g each. Arrange on a large baking tray and leave to chill for at least 1 hr in the fridge. Can be made a day ahead and chilled overnight. Line two baking trays with baking parchment and arrange the cookies on them, leaving 5cm space between each so they can spread. Bake one tray of cookies on the top shelf for about 15-17 mins until crisp and golden, then remove from the oven and bake the second tray. Leave to cool completely on the trays.
• To make the filling, put the jam in a bowl with the finely grated white chocolate and mix well to combine.
• Once the cookies are cool, you're ready to sandwich them. Top the flat side of each with a thin layer of the jam filling, then sandwich with another. You should have 13-14 cookie sandwiches in total. If you have time, chill for a further 30 mins for the filling to set, then serve.

PEANUT BUTTER & CHIA BERRY JAM ENGLISH MUFFIN

Steps:

• Microwave berries in a medium microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds; stir and microwave 30 seconds more. Stir in chia seeds.
• Spread peanut butter on the English muffin. Top with the berry-chia mixture.

SIMPLE JAM SPONGE PUDDING

Steps:

• Grease the inside of four 175ml (6fl oz) pudding basins with butter. Put 1tbsp of jam in the bottom of each and put to one side. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6.
• Whisk together the butter and orange zest with a small electric whisk until smooth. Whisk in the caster sugar until thoroughly combined - about 10min - then gradually whisk in the egg. Fold in flour, then sufficient orange juice to give a soft dropping consistency. Spoon on top of the jam and smooth the surfaces.
• Butter four discs of foil, measuring about 12.5cm (5in) across, and cover the puddings with them, folding under the rim to secure. Put the basins in a large roasting tin. Pour in enough boiling water to come at least halfway up their sides. Cook for 45min or until the puddings are risen, cooked to the centre and golden brown on top. Lift out of the roasting tin, unmould when ready and serve with pouring cream or custard.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• (If you are planning to can the jam, prepare waterbath and sterilize jars).
• Clean berries just before using. Add the blackberries and lemon juice to an extra-large saucepan. Mash with a potato masher and simmer for a few minutes, to break down the fruit.
• (Optional, but recommended:) Use a food mill, or press mixture through a fine mesh strainer, into a bowl, to remove seeds.
• Measure out 4 cups of berry juice and add to an extra-large heavy bottomed stock pot. Add 2-3 spoonfuls of the leftover seeds for blackberry "jam". (Jelly uses the juice only).
• Add sugar and stir to combine. Turn burner to medium low, stirring occasionally, cooking for several minutes until sugar has dissolved.
• Increase the heat to medium high, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a full boil (a rolling boil that can't be stirred down).
• Add the pouch of pectin, stirring continuously, and allow to return to a full boil. Set a timer for 1 minute, stirring continuously, and remove from the heat after 1 minute.
• Pour jam into prepared jars and seal with lids.
• For Freezer Blackberry Jam: Allow the jam to cool at room temperature for 24 hours, then store in the fridge for up to 1 month, or the freezer for up to 1 year.
• To Can: Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (or longer if at high altitude*). Allow to rest on your counter for 24 hours, to ensure the jars settle and seal properly. Check seals, and store jam in a cool, dry place for up to one year.