Frankies Plum Jam Food

EASY PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Sterilise the jars and any other equipment before you start (see tip). Put a couple of saucers in the freezer, as you'll need these for testing whether the jam is ready later (or use a sugar thermometer). Put the plums in a preserving pan and add 200ml water. Bring to a simmer, and cook for about 10 mins until the plums are tender but not falling apart. Add the sugar, ground cinnamon and lemon juice, then let the sugar dissolve slowly, without boiling. This will take about 10 mins.
• Increase the heat and bring the jam to a full rolling boil. After about 5 mins, spoon a little jam 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. If you have a sugar thermometer, it will read 105C when ready.
• Take the jam off the heat and add the cinnamon sticks (if using) and the knob of butter. The cinnamon will look pretty in the jars and the butter will disperse any scum. Let the jam cool for 15 mins, which will prevent the lumps of fruit sinking to the bottom of the jars. Ladle into hot jars, seal and leave to cool. Will keep for 1 year in a cool, dark place. Chill once opened.

PLUM JAM

Steps:

• In large non-aluminum kettle, combine plums, water, and lemon juice. Bring mixture to boiling over high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, 10 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally. Mixture should have reduced to about 4 1/2 cups.
• Add sugar and heat mixture to full, rapid boiling over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin; return to full, rapid boiling and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Set aside 1 minute and skim off any foam that has formed.
• Meanwhile, sterilize 8 half-pint jars or jelly glasses and the necessary lids, and bands, according to manufacturer's directions. Divide jam among sterilized jars, leaving 1/8-inch space at top of jar. Wipe rims of jars to remove any jam and seal with lids and bands.
• Process jars in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove jars, label, and store in cool, dry place

FRANKIE'S PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Place the prepared plums in a large bowl and pour the orange juice over. Stir to coat and let it macerate for 15 minutes.
• In a large pot, add a quarter of the plum mixture and cover it with 1 cup of sugar. Repeat with another ¼ of fruit then cover with another cup of sugar and continue until all the fruit and sugar is inches.
• Set the heat to medium and stir very well until the sugar is melted, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Increase the heat to high and when the mixture just starts to boil and creates some foam on the surface, turn the heat down to medium-low. Simmer gently for 40 minutes, stirring often.
• About half an hour later, using an immersion blender, process until most pieces are chopped leaving some little chunks in it. Scoop up any foam and discard it.
• Do a test by plunging a spoon in the mixture that was sitting in an ice water bowl and then dried off, and scoop up some jam. Let it cool off at room temperature and if it lightly sets up, the jam is ready. Keep in mind that as the jam cools off, it will get thicker.
• Remove from the heat and right away, fill up the sterilized jars, leaving ½-inch head space. Seal and transfer jars into a boiling water bath. Make sure the jars are covered with at least 1 inch of water.
• When the water returns to a full boil, start the timer for 10 minutes.
• Lift jars and transfer them on a wire rack away from any draft to cool completely, about 12 hours. Makes 8 -250 ml jars.