Cherry Jam Recipe Mary Berry Food

CHERRY JAM

Steps:

• Wash and pit all the cherries and cut three quarters of them in half, leaving the other quarter whole.
• Put in a preserving pan (or large deep pan) along with the lemon juice and set over a low heat.
• Use a potato masher to lightly crush the cherries and simmer gently until cooked (about 7 minutes).
• Add the sugar and heat through on very low until all the sugar has dissolved (running a wooden spoon around the pan will help you know as the sugar will scratch if still solid).
• Bring to a rolling boil and time for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and drizzle a few drops of jam onto a chilled saucer.
• Place saucer into fridge for a minute and then run your finger through the jam, it's ready if it forms a crinkle and is tacky.
• If not quite ready boil for another couple of minutes at a time and re-test.
• Once ready ladle into hot jars and place lids on immediately.
• Allow to cool, then store in a cool dark place (will keep for years but best eaten in first year). Store in fridge once open.
• Makes 1.5 standard jars (600 mls).

BLACKBERRY AND BING CHERRY PRESERVES

Steps:

• Rinse blackberries and cherries.
• Press blackberries through a sieve or a food mill to remove the seeds.
• Stem cherries and remove pits.
• Coarsely chop cherries in a food processor.
• Combine blackberries, chopped cherries, pectin, lemon juice and butter in large stockpot.
• Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Add sugar all at once and return to a boil.
• Bring to a boil that cannot be stirred down and boil 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and add almond extract.
• Let sit for 5 minutes stirring every 30 seconds.
• Ladle into sterilized jars using the USDA guidelines for water bath canning leaving a 1/4" headspace.
• Wipe rims and place lids and screw rings on jars.
• Place jars in water bath canner and make sure you have at least 1-2 inches of water covering the jars.
• Place lid on pot and bring to a hard rolling boil (do not remove lid).
• Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• Turn off heat, remove lid from pot and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Remove jars from pot and set aside to seal and cool.