Mary Berry Plum Jam Food

PLUM & RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Tip the sugar into a heavy preserving pan or flameproof dish with the plums, lemon juice and half the raspberries. Heat until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil and simmer for a few mins until the plums are tender. Add the rest of the raspberries to the pan.
• Place a jam thermometer in the pan, bring to the boil, then cook over a high heat until the temperature reaches 104C. Alternatively, put a small plate in the fridge or freezer until really cold. Once the jam has been boiling for 10 mins and looks thick and syrupy, turn off the heat and pour a spoonful onto the plate. The jam is ready when it wrinkles as you push it with your finger; be careful not to burn yourself. If the jam is not ready, boil for another 3 mins, then repeat test as above, until it is ready.
• Allow to cool for about 5 mins. Skim the surface of any scum and pack into warm sterilised jars (see tip below). Cover with wax discs and lids. Will keep in the fridge or a cold larder for up to 6 months.

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.

HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Prepare the boiling water canner before starting to cook your jam. (Fill the canner/stockpot at least half full of enough clean, warm water so the level will be at least 1" over the top of the filled jars once they're added).
• Wash, pit and chop plums w/ skins.
• Wash and crush blackberries w/ potato masher.
• Place plums and crushed blackberries in large pot.
• Add pectin a little at a time to plums and berries, stirring constantly.
• Heat on high stirring constantly until mixture comes to a FULL boil.
• Add sugar ALL at once, stirring.
• Bring mixture back to a full hard boil, stirring constantly.
• Use potato masher to carefully further crush plums and berries in pot.
• Boil for 5 minutes.
• Skim off foam, if present.
• Place in sterilized, hot jars, leaving 1/4" headspace.
• Wipe edges of jars with clean cloth, place lids and screw on bands fingertip-tight.
• Process in a boiling water bath for ten minutes at sea level (over 1000 feet, add one minute of processing for each 1000 feet in altitude).
• Remove from water and place jars on a cloth-protected counter or cooling rack to cool undisturbed for 24 hours.
• Remove rings from sealed jars and store; put any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use first.