Old Fashioned Blueberry Jam Food

BLUEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Pour the apple juice concentrate into a saucepan; sprinkle with gelatin and allow to soften for several minutes. , Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, finely chop blueberries, 1 cup at a time. Add lemon juice, spices and 2 cups of chopped berries to gelatin; heat over medium-low until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in remaining berries and mix well. , Pour into jars or plastic containers; store in the refrigerator up to three weeks.

GOOSEBERRY-BLUEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Pick through and rinse gooseberries and blueberries, removing stems and leaves and discarding any bad berries.
• Add the lemon juice and water to a medium saucepan.
• Over medium heat, slowly add the sugar to the lemon and water, whisking as you go, until the sugar-water mixture is smooth. If necessary, you can add a bit more water.
• Heat on medium until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Just don't keep heating it, because you'll end up with caramel - in this case, not good! And yes, I've done it.
• Add the gooseberries, and cook (keeping the heat at medium) for about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the blueberries (and the nutmeg, if using).
• Bring the mixture to a boil, and allow to boil for about 5 - 10 minutes until thickened.Tip: How do you tell it's the right consistency? Do the spoon text. Dip a cold metal spoon into the mixture, and pull it out sideways. If the mixture drips off in one stream, it's not ready. When the mixture drips off in two drips, it's close. Then the two drips begin to form a sheet, it's ready! Keep in mind it'll keep thickening up after it cools.
• Allow to cool a bit, then pour into jars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

OLD-FASHIONED BLUEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, bring blueberries and water to a boil; mash and stir for 5 minutes. Add sugar and honey; boil gently, uncovered, over medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. , To test for doneness: Remove from heat; spoon about 1 tablespoon of hot jam onto a chilled plate and set plate in freezer until the jam has cooled to room temperature, 1-2 minutes. When the cooled jam holds its shape when mounded with a spoon, the jam has reached its desired thickness. If necessary, return to heat and repeat test after additional cooking. , Skim off any foam. Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. of headspace. Remove air bubbles; wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 10 minutes in boiling-water canner.

OLD-FASHIONED BLUEBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Rinse and drain the fresh blueberries or drain the frozen blueberries. Set aside.
• In a bowl, combine the sugar and cornstarch and mix well until all the lumps disappear. Add the blueberries and lemon juice. Toss to combine.
• Roll out half of the dough and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan. Fill with the blueberry mixture. Dot with butter. Roll out the remaining dough. Moisten the edge of the bottom crust with water. Fit top crust over the filled pie. Trim and crimp edges. Make 2 or 3 vent holes in the top crust.
• Brush the top crust with the cream or milk. Place the pie on a baking sheet with sides. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350F and continue baking for 30 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.

BLUEBERRY JELLY

Steps:

• Place blueberries in a Dutch oven and crush slightly. Add water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Line a strainer with four layers of cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Place berry mixture in strainer; cover with edges of cheesecloth. Let stand for 30 minutes or until liquid measures 6 cups., Pour juice back into Dutch oven; gradually stir in sugar until it dissolves. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin. Continue to boil 1 minute, stirring constantly., Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into six hot sterilized 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 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.