Mock Apricot Jam Food

CARROT JAM

Steps:

• Peel and grate a carrot to total 1/2 cup (50g) grated. Set aside.
• With the rest of the carrots, peel them and chop into rounds.
• Put in a saucepan and add enough water to just cover them and cook for 10 minutes or until soft, then drain.
• Puree the cooked carrots with a blender or immersion hand blender. If necessary, put the pureed carrots into a fine sieve and push out any excess water.
• Weigh out 2 cups (400g) of the pureed carrot and discard the rest (though it's great to add to soups, stews or mixed with maple syrup and added to porridge).
• Put the carrot puree, grated carrot and sugar into a large saucepan. Add the granulated sugar and, while stirring constantly, bring to the boil for five minutes. Skim if it gets frothy.
• Allow to cool slightly, then stir in the lemon zest and juice.
• Pour into warm, sterilised jars and screw on the lids. Store in a cool, dry place and use within one year.

APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Toss the apricots, sugar, lemon zest and juice and vanilla in a large saucepan to combine, then mash slightly to release some of the apricot juice. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the apricots to macerate and the sugar to dissolve. Meanwhile, place a small plate in the freezer to chill; this will be used to test the doneness of the jam.
• Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. (See Cook's Note for suggested add-in.) Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium, stirring frequently. Continue to cook until the jam becomes thick and syrupy, about 35 minutes. To test doneness, place a small amount of the jam onto the chilled plate and freeze for 2 minutes. Drag your finger or a spoon through the jam. If it holds its shape and thickness, the jam is done; remove from the heat. If it's runny, continue to cook and test again in 5-minute increments. Once the jam has reached the right consistency, transfer to jars and cool completely before storing, tightly covered. The jam will keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

APRICOT " JAM"

Steps:

• Chop the dried apricots into very small pieces.
• Put the apricots, water and syrup/fructose into a small saucepan and bring to the boil.
• Boil rapidly for a few minutes, but don't let it boil dry!
• Take off the heat and allow to cool.

HOMEMADE APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Wash apricots with cold water and cut them in halves. Remove the stone and all damaged areas.
• Put them in a large pot, add 600 g sugar, stir it and leave 4-6 hours until apricot become juicy. You may stir occasionally.
• Add the rest of sugar, stir and cook on heavy fire 10 to 15 minutes. When apricot starts to boil you will see foam. After 10 - 15 minutes the most of the foam will disappear, but if not remove it.
• Add pectin if you like, stir and put the jam in hot (100°C) glass-bottle.
• Close the hot glass-bottles and keep it in dark place.

MOCK RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes and sugar in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often.
• Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Add Jello, and stir until it dissolves.
• Pour mixture into airtight containers.
• Store in refrigerator up to 1 week, or freeze up to 6 months.

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.

APRICOT ALMOND CINNAMON JAM

Steps:

• Pit, do not peel ripe apricots. Finely chop or pulse in food processor.
• In a large saucepan stir together prepared fruit and Certo Crystals.
• Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Add all the sugar, almond extract, cinnamon and butter.
• Return to a hard boil for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat. Stir and skim any foam to prevent floating fruit. Pour into warm sterilized jars to 1/4 inch from rim. Cover with lids and screw rings on tightly.
• Notes: I process my jam in a boiling water bath, for 5 minutes, to ensure the seals. One year I didn't and had to throw out a lot of jam because the seals failed.
• To sterilize I wash and rinse jars, lids and rings. I put the jars and rings on a cake pan in a 225°F oven before I start. I simmer the lids in water.
• Times are a estimate; it took about 1/2 hour from start to finish.