Cherry Almond Preserves Food

CHERRY ALMOND JAM

Steps:

• After thawing cherries, drain and set juices aside.
• Finely chop the cherries with a knife and then combine them in a saucepan with the pectin, almond liqueur, and the lemon juice.
• Bring the cherries to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent burning, then add the sugar and return the mixture to a boil. Boil the jam at a hard boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly, and then remove from the heat.
• Dip your ladle and funnel into your boiling water for approximately 1 minute to ensure they are sterile. Next, ladle the jam into warm, sterilized canning jars. Be sure not to touch the insides of the jars and resist the temptation to lick your fingers throughout the process (this part will be difficult). This will ensure that you create a sterile environment within the jars by the time you're done.
• Next, clean the rims of your jars with a paper towel that you dipped into boiling water. If there is jam on the rims of the jars when you place the lid on top, it can compromise the integrity of the seal.
• Now you'll get ready to sterilize your lids in the small saucepan of hot water. You'll want to be careful not to boil the lids, as this can damage the seals (I know, there are so many things to remember when you're canning), so bring the water to a boil first, remove from the heat, and then place the lids inside. Wait 5 minutes before using, so that the heat has time to work it's bacteria-killing magic. Next, remove the lids with the magnetic lid grabber, being sure not to touch the bottoms of the lids, and place them on the jars.
• Finally, place your rings on your jars. Now comes the tricky part - you will screw the ring on until it is just tight, and then go back the other direction about one-eighth of an inch, or a couple of millimeters, loosening the ring a bit. This is very important - don't skip this step! This will allow some air to escape the jars while you're boiling them, and then create a vacuum as they cool, sealing the jars.
• Place the jars into the boiling hot water bath (or large pot) using your jar grabber. Bring the water to a full boil, place the lid on the pot, and set your timer for 10 minutes. I used too small of a pot, because I'm too cheap to buy a larger one, so water spilled all over my stove... I don't recommend doing this.
• After the jars have boiled (or have been "processed") for ten minutes, remove them from the pot using your grabber again and place them upright on some dish towels to cool. You will need to let them rest for 24 hours, so pick a place where they won't be in the way, and won't be a temptation for little hands or curious pets. That said, I do encourage you to crack open a jar early! You will just need to store it in the refrigerator after it has been opened.
• Once 24-hours have elapsed remove all the rings from your jars. This will prevent moisture from forming around the edge of the lid and ensure the integrity of your seal. Your jars are now ready to store in a cool, dark place, such as your pantry or your basement. They will keep for 12 months. Once a jar is open, it will keep in the refrigerator for 1 month. When storing an opened jar, use one of your rings to keep the lid on tight.

CHERRY ALMOND JAM RECIPE {IT'S AMAZING!!!}

Steps:

• Bring a boiling-water canner, 3/4 full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• In a 6 - 8 quart sauce pot, combine the first four ingredients. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Slowly stir in the sugar and return to a full rolling for 1 minute, making sure to stir constantly to avoid boiling over. Remove from heat and skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. {Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.}
• Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary}.
• Yields {6} 1/2 pints plus a wee bit extra for snacking.

CHERRY ALMOND BARS

Steps:

• HEAT oven to 350 degrees F. Line bottom and sides of 8 x 8-inch pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Coat lightly with no-stick cooking spray.
• STIR together flour, brown sugar and salt until mixed. Add oil, water and almond extract. Combine with fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pat evenly in bottom of prepared pan.
• BAKE 15 minutes.
• SPREAD preserves evenly over warm crust. Mix almonds, brown sugar and oil until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over top of preserves.
• BAKE 20 minutes. Cool completely. Lift out of pan using foil. Cut into 16 bars. Store in refrigerator.

BEST CHERRY PRESERVES

Steps:

• Sterilize your jars and keep them hot while you're cooking the preserves.
• Place cherries in a large, heavy duty dutch oven.
• Combine pectin with 1/4 cup sugar; stir into cherries, Add butter.
• Bring to a full boil, stirring, over high heat.
• Add 3 more cups sugar and return to a boil , stirring constantly, boil 1 minutes.
• Remove from heat; skim off foam.
• Immediately spoon preserves into 3 one pint sterilized jars, leaving 1/4" headspace.
• Wipe the sealing surface of the jars with a clean paper towel, dampened with hot water, to remove any preserves or sugar crystals.
• Place lids and screw on bands fingertip tight.
• Process in a boiling water bath for at least ten minutes, depending upon your altitude.
• When the jars have been processed in boiling water for the recommended time, turn off the heat and remove the canner lid; wait 5 minutes. Remove jars from canner using a jar lifter and keeping jars upright. Carefully place them directly onto a towel or cake cooling rack to protect your countertop, leaving at least one inch of space between the jars during cooling. Avoid placing the jars on a cold surface or in a cold draft.
• After jars have cooled undisturbed for 24 hours, remove ring bands from sealed jars. Put any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use first.

CHERRY ALMOND JAM

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients except sugar in a large saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Add sugar, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved.
• Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Skin foam.
• Ladle into clean, hot jars leaving 1/4 inch head space.
• Seal.
• Process in a Boiling water bath for 10 minutes at altitudes up to 1000 feet.

CHERRY ALMOND MUFFINS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat the egg, sour cream and extract until smooth; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened (batter will be thick). , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, egg, sugar and vanilla until smooth. In a saucepan over low heat, warm preserves. For topping, combine flour and sugar in a small bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in almonds., Fill greased jumbo muffin cups half full with batter. Divide cream cheese filling and preserves evenly among muffin cups; swirl gently. Cover with remaining batter. Sprinkle with topping. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.

CHERRY-ALMOND COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix flour and 3/4 cup sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture for topping. Add baking powder, baking soda and salt to remaining crumb mixture. Stir in sour cream, 1 egg and the extract until blended., Spread onto bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth. Add remaining egg; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour into pan; spoon preserves over top. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture and almonds., Bake until top is golden brown, 50-60 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove rim from pan. Serve warm or cold. Refrigerate leftovers.

CHERRY-ALMOND GLAZED PORK LOIN

Steps:

• Roast pork loin on rack in shallow baking pan, uncovered at 325 for 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours.
• In a saucepan, combine cherry preserves, corn syrup, vinegar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
• Heat to boiling, stirring frequently.
• Reduce heat, simmer 2 minutes and add toasted almonds.
• Keep sauce warm.
• Spoon hot sauce over cooked meat.
• Return to the oven about 30 minutes or until meat thermometer measures 170°F.
• Baste meat with sauce several times during the 30 minutes.
• Serve remaining sauce with meat.