Easy Stewed Damson Plums Food

STEWED PLUMS

Steps:

• Wash, de-stone and halve the plums (leave the skin on).
• Place the sugar, water, orange juice and cinnamon stick into a medium-sized pot over a medium heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
• Add the plums and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the fruit is soft and begins to break down. Keep an eye on it as very ripe plums will cook faster and will get mushier. You want the plums to still be intact, but be soft and cooked through.
• Remove and discard the cinnamon stick.
• Enjoy hot or cold. Delicious on ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, waffles etc... Get creative with the stewed plums.

STOVETOP STEWED PLUMS WITH CINNAMON

Steps:

• Enjoy!

DAMSON JELLY

Steps:

• Wash the fruit, then tip into a preserving pan with the lemon juice and 300ml/1⁄2 pint water. Bring slowly to the boil, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the fruit is soft.
• Carefully pour the contents of the pan into a scalded jelly bag with a large bowl set underneath to catch the juice (see the Step-by-step photo). Leave for several hours.
• Measure the juice back into the pan, then add 500g of sugar to every 500ml of juice or 1lb sugar for every pint of juice. Stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved, then raise the heat and rapidly boil until setting point is reached. Test this by spooning a little on to a chilled saucer. Cool slightly then push with your finger - if it wrinkles it is ready. If not return to the heat, boil for 5 more minutes and test again.
• Pot into warm sterilised jars and cool before sealing. Can be eaten straight away, but keeps for up to a year.

DAMSON CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the damsons into a pan with the sugar, butter and sloe gin if using (or a splash of water if not) and heat gently until the damsons start to give off their juices. Tip into the base of a large shallow gratin dish (about 25cm long) and stir through the apple slices.
• Put all the crumble ingredients into a food processor with a pinch of salt, and using the pulse button, whizz until the mixture just starts to clump together. Don't whizz for too long or the mixture will stick together too much. Alternatively, rub the butter into the flour using your hands and then stir in the other ingredients.
• Scatter the crumble over the damsons and bake in the oven for 30-40 mins until golden brown. Leave for about 15 mins before serving with custard or cream. Remember to warn everyone about the stones!

DAMSON JAM

Steps:

• Wash your jars and lids in hot, soapy water, rinse, then place on a baking tray and put in a low oven for 10 mins or until completely dry. If you want to use rubber seals, remove the seals and cover in just-boiled water. Make sure you sterilise any funnels, ladles or spoons you're going to be using too.
• Put the fruit into a jam pan or a large, wide, heavy-based saucepan. Leave the stones in (see tip below). Add 150ml water and bring to the boil. Put a couple of saucers in the freezer. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 mins or until the fruit is soft.
• Tip in the sugar and stir over a very low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved, up to 10 mins. This step is vital - if you don't dissolve the sugar, the bottom of the pan may catch and burn. Raise the heat, bring to a full rolling boil, then rapidly boil for 10 minutes. Don't stir until the setting point of 105C is reached. If you don't have a thermometer, test the jam by spooning a little onto a cold saucer. Wait a few seconds, then push the jam with your fingertip. If it wrinkles, the jam is ready. If not, cook for a few mins more and test again, with another cold saucer. Once you have reached 105C or setting point, stir the jam thoroughly.
• Remove from the heat, skim off any excess scum, then stir a knob of butter into the surface (this helps to dissolve any remaining scum). Leave for about 15 mins so the fruit can settle - if you decant the jam too soon, all the fruit will sink to the bottom. Pour into sterilised jars, label and seal.