Honey Peach Apricot Jam Food

PEACH & APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients in a preserving pan or similar and heat gently to dissolve the sugar crystals (stirring frequently with a wooden spoon).
• Bring to a rolling boil for 10 minutes and keep stirring.
• Take off the heat and check for set by putting a few drops on a chilled saucer.
• Allow to cool for 30 second in the firdge and if it crinkles when a finger is pushed through it, it's ready.
• If not boil for another 2 minutes and repeat this testing process until a set is achieved. (Mine took 12 minutes).
• Remove any scum with a spoon if necessary.
• If the jam is looking a bit too chunky use a potato masher to gently squash the fruit.
• Ladle into warm sterilised jars and apply lids or wax discs and cellophane lids.
• Makes 3 standard sized jars.
• Store in a cool, dry place. For best colour and flavour eat within 12 months but will last years.

APRICOT PEACH JAM - NO PECTIN -(3 INGREDIENTS)

Steps:

• Mark an X on the bottom of the apricots and peaches. Then, blanch them in hot water for 5 minutes. Peel and remove but do not discard the seeds/pits. Roughly chop the fruits and set them aside.Pro tip - Marking an X on the fruit helps to peel them easily as the skin shrinks when blanching.
• Place two small ceramic plates in the freezer so we can use these to test the jam later. Alternatively, you can use a candy thermometer to check the doneness of the jam.
• In a heavy bottom pan, combine the chopped fruit (and a few kernels), sugar, salt, and lemon juice. Also, add the star anise and cinnamon stick if using Pro tip - If you are using fruits with skin on, let the fruits macerate in sugar and lemon juice for a few hours before cooking. This softens the skin considerably.
• Cook on medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Then, turn the heat up and let the mixture come to a boil. Let it boil for two minutes on medium-high. Pro tip - Boiling the jam is important as it releases pectin from the skin and seed in fruits.
• Then, turn the heat to medium-low. The jam should still be simmering but at a low simmer, not bubbling. Use a vegetable masher to mash the fruit - so you have a smoother jam-like consistency.Pro tip - Mashing the fruit is optional, as the fruit will break down into smaller chunks similar to preserve as it cooks. However, mashing will give smoother consistency like jam.
• Continue to simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes more stirring often so it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. The jam will continue to thicken as well as deepen in color as it cools.Pro tip - The cooking time will depend on the quantity of the jam as well as the heat applied to it. It's ok to cook a little longer but there must be a simmer for the fruit to release pectin.
• Remove one of the ceramic plates from the freezer. Place a teaspoon of jam on the cold plate. Pro tip - The cold plate will help cool the jam almost instantly and give you a good indication if the jam is ready.
• Set aside for 2 to 3 minutes then test with your finger. Simply move/push the jam with your finger. If it wrinkles/crinkles it means the jam is ready. And if not, let the jam cook a couple of minutes more and test again.Pro tip - You may need to test the jam on a ceramic plate more than once or a couple of times depending on how early you start checking.
• Alternatively, you can use a candy thermometer - the jam should reach 105 C / 221 F.Pro tip - I find the thermometer to be the easiest and fail-proof method to check for doneness.
• Optional - Just when you are ready to take the jam off the heat add a teaspoon of butter and stir well. Butter helps dissolve foam that accumulates on top of the jam. Pro tip - You don't need more than 1 teaspoon of butter to help with the foam. It will also give you that glossy shine.
• Pour the jam into warm sterilized jars leaving 1/4 inch space from the top. Use a clean sterilized knife or spatula to move the jam a bit - this will remove any air pockets.
• Place a piece of wax paper on the top before you place the lid on tightly. Clean the rim of the jar with a clean paper towel. Top the lid. Alternatively, use the lid with screw-on rings that come with the canning jars.
• Sterilize 4 x 8 oz (250 g) jars by washing them in hot soapy water or cleaning them in the dishwasher with a gentle cycle. Then, place them in the oven for 20 minutes at a low 284 F / 140 CPro tip- I find the dishwasher does a good job of cleaning and the oven dries any excess moisture in the bottles.
• Note - Leave them in the oven until you are ready to use them (you can turn the oven off). Don't forget to wash and sterilize the bottle lids as well.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot. Fill half the pot with water. Bring the water in the pot to a boil on high heat.
• Lower the jars over the rack leaving enough space between the jars.Pro tip - The level of water should be at least an inch above the top of the jars. So if necessary pour more boiling water.
• Bring the water to a boil again. Cover the pot and process/simmer for 15 minutes.
• Then, carefully remove the jars from the stockpot and place them on a kitchen towel to absorb any excess moisture. Cool completely. Pro tip - The hot jars are very delicate so make sure to use tongs when taking them out and place them on soft towels to prevent them from breaking.
• Press the top of the lid to ensure the seal is tight - the lid should not move at all. Store in a cool dry place.

HONEY PEACH APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to a large saucepot or Dutch oven.
• Slowly bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
• Turn the heat up a little and cook rapidly, stirring often to prevent sticking, until the jam reaches the gelling point, about 25 minutes.
• Spoon hot jam into prepared jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace.
• Wipe the lip of each jar with a damp paper towel, top the jars with a lid and lid ring.
• Process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.

APRICOT CONSERVE

Steps:

• Put a couple of small plates in the freezer. Halve and stone the apricots, chop the flesh, then put in a large pan with the apple juice. Crack some of the kernels to extract the nut inside (this is easy to do if you crack with the flat side of a heavy saucepan), then add them to the pan - this is optional, but gives extra flavour. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 mins, until the apricots are softened.
• Stir in the sugar and lemon juice, then stir well over a moderate heat to dissolve the sugar. Increase the heat and boil for about 20 mins until jam has set. Test by spooning a little jam onto one of your cold plates. After a moment push the jam with your finger; if the jam wrinkles, it is ready. If not, return to the boil for a further 5 mins, then test again.
• Remove from the heat, skim off any scum, then stir in the butter to dissolve any remaining scum. Cool for 10 mins, stir again, then ladle into warm sterilised jars. Seal, label, then store in the fridge for 4-6 weeks.

DRIED APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Put the apricots in a large pan, add 1.5 litres water, cover and leave overnight to soak.
• Next day, place a small plate in the fridge to chill. Put the apricots and water on the hob, then add the lemon juice and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, then simmer for 30 mins or until the apricots are tender and starting to break up.
• Remove from the heat and add the sugar, stirring until it dissolves. Return to the heat and boil rapidly for 20 mins or until setting point is reached. To check this, remove the plate from the fridge, put a spoonful of jam onto the plate and pop it back in the fridge for a few mins - the jam should wrinkle when you push it with your finger. A sugar thermometer will also give you the setting point of jam, which is 105C.
• Carefully pour the jam into hot sterilised jars, top with a disc of wax paper or baking parchment, seal with a lid, then leave to cool and set. The jam will last for 6 months unopened in a cool, dark cupboard.