Fresh Basil Jelly Food

BASIL JELLY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water and basil to a boil. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Strain and discard basil. Return 3-2/3 cups liquid to the pan. Stir in pectin and, if desired, food coloring. Return to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in sugar. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; skim off foam., Ladle hot liquid into hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 15 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

EASY BASIL JELLY

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup of the apple juice to a rolling boil and pour over the crushed basil leaves; let rest for 25 minutes.
• Strain liquid into large saucepan and add the other 2 cups of apple juice, vinegar, and green coloring, stirring to blend.
• Bring to a hard boil, and stir in sugar and pectin and return to a hard boil, stirring constantly, and cooking until jelly point is reached.
• Remove from heat and skim off the foam with a slotted spoon; remove leaves from jelly with a slotted spoon.
• Pour mixture into sterilized half-pint jars (you will need 3-4), leaving 1/2" of headroom at the top.
• Attach lids and bands, and process for 15 minutes in a water bath canner.
• When cool, check the seals.
• Refrigerate promptly any that do not seal properly, and remove bands from the others and store in a cool, dry area.

FRESH BASIL JELLY

Steps:

• Bring water, vinegar and lemon juice to a boil in a large pot. Reserve 10 basil leaves. Bruise the remainder, add to the pot, remove from the heat, cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Add the sugar and vegetable coloring, return to heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. When the syrup is at a full rolling boil, add the pectin, boil for 1/2 minute and remove from heat. Place 2 basil leaves in the bottom of each of 5 hot, sterilized 8-ounce jelly glasses . Strain the jelly into glasses through a fine sieve. Cool and cover with a layer of thin paraffin. When the paraffin has hardened, cover the glasses and store.

LEMONADE JELLY WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Warm the lemon juice, 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) water, and the sugar to boiling. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Roughly tear the basil leaves and put them in a small bowl. Pour the lemon juice mixture over the basil leaves and let steep for at least 15 minutes.
• Pour the orange juice into a small saucepan and sprinkle the gelatin over its surface. Let the gelatin soften for 5 minutes, then warm the pan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Turn off the heat.
• Strain the basil out of the lemon juice and whisk the juice into the gelatin mixture. Pour the liquid into six small cups or a 1-quart (1-L) dish. Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until softly set. Garnish with whipped cream and basil leaves to serve.
• Lemon-Basil Jelly Skewers
• To make little bites for a party, double the amount of gelatin in this recipe to 6 full teaspoons. Pour the mixture into an 8- or 9-inch (20- or 23-cm) square baking dish and let it set overnight in the refrigerator. Cut it into 1-inch (2.5-cm) squares, or use a small cookie cutter to cut out 1-inch (2.5-cm) circles. Skewer one or two pieces on a toothpick or party pick with a leaf of fresh basil folded and skewered at one end. Chill until ready to serve, and pass a bowl of whipped cream for dipping.
• Easy Flavor Variations
• Real Lime Jelly For real lime jelly (with the taste of fresh limes and no nasty green food coloring), substitute juice from 7 to 8 limes for the lemon juice. Substitute water for the orange juice. Meyer Lemon Jelly with Lavender Extra-sweet, less acidic Meyer lemons are also wonderful in this jelly, especially with the herbal-floral taste of lavender. Simply substitute Meyers for the regular lemons. You may need one or two extra lemons, as Meyer lemons are generally smaller. Instead of steeping basil in the juice, steep 1 tablespoon dried food-grade lavender buds. Strain after 10 minutes and proceed as directed above.

BASIL JELLY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water and basil to a boil. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Strain and discard basil.
• Return 3 2/3 cups liquid to the pan. Stir in pectin and food coloring. Return to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in sugar. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; skim off foam.
• Pour hot liquid into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Adjust caps. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.