Clementine Jam Food

CLEMENTINE JAM

Steps:

• Peel the clementines and cut each one in half through the middle to check for seeds.
• Put the fruit, in batches if necessary, in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth.
• Pour the puree into a heavy pot and add the sugar and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn down the heat a bit and boil for about 30-40 minutes, stirring fairly often. Do not cover the pot!
• The liquid will foam up at first, but will eventually get absorbed. The mixture will start to thicken and get a little deeper and glossier when it is ready. I like to freeze a small plate and test the jam by dropping some onto it and letting it cool. If the jam firms up, it's done. If not, keep boiling a little longer.
• When it is done, ladle it into clean jars and let cool on the counter. When it reaches room temperature, cover and refrigerate. It will keep at least 10 days in the fridge.

CLEMENTINE MARMALADE

Steps:

• Scrub & rinse clementines, place in water in a large soup pot (NOT aluminum).
• Squeeze lemon - reserve juice. Bundle the lemon seeds with cheesecloth and tie it off. Add bundle of seeds and the halved lemon to pot.
• Cover the pot and simmer for 2-3 hours until fruit is soft.
• Remove pot from heat, cool overnight; discard bundle of lemon seeds, do not strain liquid.
• Scoop fruit out of the liquid into a large bowl. Halve the clementines, scoop pulp and seeds (if any) into a strainer set over the pot that was used to boil the fruit. Save all peels. Rub pulp through strainer.
• Add sugar and lemon juice to pot. Heat gently, stirring until sugar dissolves, then boil for a few minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely slice clementine peel then stir into boiling sugar-lemon syrup. Continue boiling until marmalade reaches setting point (220*F at sea level) then remove pot from heat, skim foam, and let pot sit for 10-15 minutes to distribute peel evenly.
• Fill hot, sterilized jars; seal with two-part lids; process in boiling-water bath for 15 minutes (sea level).
• Label jars; store in cool, dark place.
• SUGGESTION: Use small decorative jars and make Gift Baskets (along with other kitchen preserves or mixes).

CLEMENTINE & COINTREAU MARMALADE

Steps:

• Scrub clementines in warm soapy water, rinse, then halve and squeeze juice into a large pan. Scoop out the pulp and any seeds, then tie in the muslin, as before. Shred the peel. Add both to the pan with the lemon juice and water, then leave to steep overnight.
• Put the pan over a medium heat and bring up to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, until the peel is soft, about 30-45 mins. Squeeze as much liquid from the muslin bag as possible. Discard the bag. Weigh the mixture - you should have around 1.15kg.
• Put the pan over a low heat, then add the sugar. Heat gently until sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally, then bring up to a good rolling boil. Cook for 15 mins, then check for a set (see Step 5). If not at setting point, boil (see Know how) for a further 2 mins and check again. Repeat until setting point has been reached.
• Add Cointreau, taking care, as marmalade will bubble up. Allow to stand for 15 mins or until beginning to thicken. Transfer to sterilised jars, then seal.
• To test the setting point: take the pan off the heat and allow the bubbles to subside. Take a plate from the freezer and spoon a little liquid onto the plate, then return to the freezer for 1 min. Push the marmalade along the plate with your finger. If setting point has been reached then the marmalade surface will wrinkle slightly and the marmalade won't run back straight away. If it's not at setting point, return to the heat and boil again for 2 mins before re-testing. Repeat until setting point is reached. If you have a sugar thermometer, setting point is reached at 105C, but it's good to do the plate test as well.

BEST CLEMENTINE MARMALADE

Steps:

• Scrub & rinse clementines, place in enough water (about 5 cups) to cover in a large non-aluminum soup pot.
• Squeeze lemon - reserve juice. Bundle the lemon seeds with cheesecloth and tie it off. Add bundle of seeds and the halved lemon to pot.
• Cover the pot and simmer for 2-3 hours until fruit is soft. Keep checking to make sure the water does not completely evaporate, add more if needed as the bottom will scorch and ruin the recipe.
• Remove pot from heat, cool overnight; discard bundle of lemon seeds, strain liquid.
• Halve the clementines, scoop pulp into a blender or food processor. Set aside peels.
• In a blender or food processor, blend clementine pulp on medium-high for 40 seconds or until smooth.
• Add sugar, blended pulp, remaining four cups of water and the reserved lemon juice to pot. Heat gently, stirring until sugar dissolves, then boil for a few minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely slice clementine peel then stir into boiling marmalade mixture. Continue boiling until marmalade reaches setting point (220°F at sea level) then remove pot from heat, skim foam, and let pot sit for 10-15 minutes to distribute peel evenly. SEE NOTES.
• Fill hot, sterilized jars; seal tightly with two-part lids; process in boiling-water bath for 15 minutes (sea level). You should hear occasional popping as the filled jars cool and the lids invert.
• Label jars; store in cool, dark place.
• Note: Reaching the setting point may take some time, often 20min or more. To test the marmalade, put a drop on a plate and set in freezer until it's at room temperature (only a minute or so) and take it out, if it's jelly-like and not runny you've got it, this is especially helpful if you're not at sea level plus or minus 2,000ft.
• Note Note: While boiling the marmalade mixture, use the longest spoon you have, stir very often but gently because you don't want hot sugary mix to burn you. Sugary mixtures retain heat longer and the burn can be quite intense.