Peach Plum Ginger Jam Food

STONE FRUIT JAM

Steps:

• Toss fruit and sugar together in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Let sit for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight, tossing periodically to coat and to dissolve the sugar. (This will help coax the juices out of the fruit.)
• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• Bring the fruit to a strong simmer over medium heat until the skins burst and the juices start to boil, 10 to 15 minutes. If using a vanilla bean as an add-in, put it in the pot now.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the jam, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula at first and more frequently as juices thicken until most of the liquid has evaporated and the fruit has begun to break down, about 25 to 35 minutes. How much it breaks down will depend on the type of fruit and how ripe it is. (For example, peaches are likely to retain their shape, while plums and apricots will break down almost entirely.)
• As the jam cooks, the liquid reduces, the sugars thicken and the natural pectins activate. You'll notice the liquid go from a rapid, rolling boil with smaller bubbles to a slow, thick, tarlike boil with larger bubbles. This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate there, increasing the chance that the fruit will burn.) It's also the stage at which splattering may occur, so take care in stirring.
• When the jam reaches a slow, thick boil, add lemon juice and any of the add-ins (see note). Continue to cook, stirring constantly until the jam has returned to its previously thickened state, about another 5 minutes. To test the consistency, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it's not there yet, cook it a few minutes more.
• Remove from heat, and pick out vanilla bean, if you added it earlier. Divide between jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top of the jar, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them up within a couple of weeks.

PLUM-GINGER FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Using a potato masher or fork, gently crush the plums in a large bowl to release some pulp and juices while keeping the fruit chunky. Toss with the sugar, then add the ginger and lemon zest and juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Measure the volume of your fruit mixture; you should have about 6 cups.
• If your package of pectin comes with calcium powder, stir 1/4 teaspoon of the calcium powder into 1/4 cup water to dissolve. Set aside. Place the 4 1/2 teaspoons pectin in a stand blender, or have it measured and ready if using an immersion blender. Bring 1 cup water to a boil, then pour it into the stand blender and blend. (If using an immersion blender, add the pectin to the saucepan and blend.) The mixture should become very smooth and look like a soft gel. Stir the pectin mixture into the fruit until evenly combined, then stir in 4 teaspoons of the calcium water, if using. The jam should thicken and be softly set. Add the salt, stir and taste. Adjust after tasting with more teaspoons of lemon juice, if necessary, for a good balance of sweet and tart.
• Transfer to clean airtight containers, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 2 weeks before serving. Or, store in the freezer for up to 3 months; defrost completely in the refrigerator before serving.

PEACH-PLUM GINGER JAM

Steps:

• In a large, non-reactive pot, combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook for approximately 20 minutes (please remember that jam cooking times vary widely depending on width of your pot, kitchen humidity and sugar levels in the fruit) until the jam is thick and passes the plate test. Using a thermometer and taking the cooking jam to as close to 220 degrees is also another good technique.
• When jam is sufficiently cooked, fill prepared jars. Wipe rims, apply lids and screw on rings. Process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes.
• When processing time is up, remove jars from canner and let them cool on a towel-lined countertop. When jars are cool enough to handle, remove rings and test seals by grasping the outside edge of lid and lifting the jar carefully off the countertop. The lid should stay firmly in place on the jar.
• Store jars in a cool, dark place for up to one year.

PEACH PLUM JAM

Steps:

• In a large pot combine peaches, plums, lemon juice and sugar.
• Cook, stiring, over med-high heat until sugar is melted.
• Bring to a rolling boil.
• Boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
• Add 2 pouches of Certo, stirring constantly.
• Return to a rolling boil.
• Boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat.
• Skim off any foam with a metal spoon.
• Fill Hot sterile jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
• Wipe off jar rims with damp cloth.
• Top with 2 piece seal and ring.
• Hot water bath jars for 10 minutes.

GINGER-PEACH JAM

Steps:

• Bring peaches, ginger, and pectin to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and butter; cook and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Return to a boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute more. Remove from heat, and skim off any foam with a spoon.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the peach jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

TINY TIM'S PLUM PUDDING

Steps:

• Generously grease an 8-cup pudding mold, metal gelatin mold or ovenproof bowl; set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, mix bread crumbs, flour, orange zest, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, salt and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture. Fold in plums, dates, raisins, carrots and currants., Transfer to prepared pudding mold. Cover tightly with heavy-duty foil; tie foil with kitchen string to secure., Place on a rack in a stockpot; add 3 in. hot water to pot. Bring water to a gentle boil; steam cake, covered, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 2 to 2-1/2 hours, adding more water to pot as needed. Remove pudding from pot; let stand 5 minutes before unmolding., Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat hard sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy. Unmold pudding onto a serving plate; serve warm with sauce.

SUPERB ENGLISH PLUM PUDDING

Steps:

• Blend the fruits, citron, peel, spices and suet and place in a bowl or jar. Add 1/4 cup cognac, cover tightly and refrigerate for 4 days, adding 1/4 cup cognac each day.
• Soak the bread crumbs in milk and sherry or port. Combine the well-beaten eggs and sugar. Blend with the fruit mixture. Add salt and mix thoroughly. Put the pudding in buttered bowls or tins, filling them about 2/3 full. Cover with foil and tie it firmly. Steam for 6-7 hours. Uncover and place in a 250°F. oven for 30 minutes. Add a dash of cognac to each pudding, cover with foil and keep in a cool place.
• To use, steam again for 2-3 hours and unmold. Sprinkle with sugar; add heated cognac. Ignite and bring to the table. Serve with hard sauce or cognac sauce.

BLACK PLUM & GINGER JAM (WITHOUT PECTIN)

Steps:

• Place the chopped plums, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, ginger and salt in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, pressing down on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Reserve the solids.
• Return the strained juices to the sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Boil until a candy thermometer reads 220 degrees (the gel stage). Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the reserved solids.
• Transfer the jam to sterile jars, or freeze whatever jam you don't intend to use right away.
• Enjoy!

PEACH-AND-PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Pit peaches and plums and coarsely chop into pieces slightly smaller than 1/2 inch. Combine fruit, sugar, water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and salt in a heavy-bottomed pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil (do not stir) until mixture begins to thicken, about 18 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is thickened and jamlike, about 30 minutes. Add more lemon juice to taste, then let cool completely.

GINGERED PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a heavy large pot; stir to combine.
• Attach a jelly thermometer to side of pan or place a small plate in freezer to chill for testing jam.
• Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, adjusting heat as needed to maintain an even boil; boil for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
• After 15 minutes of cooking check temperature on thermometer or test small portion of jam on chilled plate, return plate to freezer for 1 to 2 minutes, remove and run finger through sample. When the jam is set you can pull your finger through it and it doesn't run back together. During testing, remove jam from heat.
• As jam sets you will be able to see the bottom of the pot when stirring. The temperature should be about 221 degrees F.
• Pour the hot jam into 4 sterilized 8-ounce jars, carefully wiping jar rims; cover with lids and screw bands.
• Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes, remove from water bath, allow to cool; check seal.

PLUM PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a 2 quart baking dish, stir together plums, 1 cup sugar, water, tapioca and cinnamon. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. (You can also cook the plum mixture in the microwave for 15 minutes.)
• Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, stir together baking mix, 3 tablespoons sugar, milk and melted margarine to form a biscuit dough. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto plum mixture. Bake in preheated oven 10 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

GINGER-PEACH JAM (NO PECTIN NEEDED)

Steps:

• Place the peaches in boiling water for 1 minute, or until the skins loosen.
• Then plunge them in ice water.
• Slip off the skins, halve the fruit and remove the pits.
• Cut the peaches into 1 inch pieces.
• In a large, non-reactive pot, mix the peaches, sugar, ginger, lemon juice and allspice.
• Simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and mounds on the spoon.
• Ladle into jars and store in the fridge for up to 2 months.