Redcurrant And Port Jelly Food

RED CURRANT JELLY

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Wash the currants, and if the stems are on don't pick them. You'll get rid of stems and seeds later when you strain their juice.
• Place the washed currants in a nonreactive pot -no cast iron unless it is enameled, and no aluminum. Add the water.
• Cook, stirring, over medium-low heat until the red currants have released all of their juice, about 20 minutes. While they are cooking, gently crush the fruit with a potato masher or the bottom of a wine bottle; this will help the fruit release the juice.
• Drain the red currants and their liquid overnight by pouring the mixture into either a dampened jelly bag or by lining a colander with butter muslin or several layers of cheesecloth . Pick your method and place a large bowl or pot underneath the bag or colander. Do not squeeze the jelly bag, muslin, or cheesecloth because that will result in a cloudy jelly.
• Sterilize your canning jars .
• Once strained, measure the red currant juice. You should have about 2 1/2 cups.
• Pour the measured juice into a large, nonreactive pot and add an equal amount of sugar-for 2 1/2 cups of juice, add 2 1/2 cups of sugar.
• Bring the red currant juice and sugar to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. Continue to cook until the mixture reaches the gel point .
• If the jelly is ready before the jars are sterilized, simply remove the jelly from the heat until the jars are ready. Reheat the jelly just back to a simmer before filling the jars.
• Ladle the hot, liquid jelly into the sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch headspace.
• Screw on canning lids.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes. Keep in mind that the jelly will still be hot and liquid when it comes out of the boiling water bath. It will gel as it cools.
• Once cooled, the jelly is ready to be used. Enjoy!

CURRANT AND PORT JELLY

Steps:

• There is no need to remove the currants from their stalks.
• Put the currants in a preserving pan with the water and simmer gently for 30 minutes, until the fruit is really soft and pulpy.
• Stir from time to time to prevent sticking.
• Spoon the fruit pulp into a jelly bag or cloth attached to the legs of an upturned stool, and leave to strain into a large bowl for at least 12 hours.
• Do not squeeze. Discard the pulp remaining in the jelly bag.
• Measure the extract and return it to the pan with 450g sugar for each 600 ml extract. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved, then boil rapidly for about 15 minutes.
• Test for a set and, when the setting point is reached, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the port, skim the surface with a slotted spoon and pot and cover the jelly.

REDCURRANT JAM

Steps:

• Put two small, sterilised saucers in the freezer - you will use these to test the setting point of the jam. You can sterilise the saucers by washing them in hot soapy liquid, rinsing and placing in an oven at 180C/160C fan/gas 4 for 5 mins. Remove carefully and allow to cool.
• Remove the stalks from the fruit, and place the fruit in a large saucepan. Pour in 150ml water, bring to a simmer and cook gently for about 10 mins until the fruit has softened and is starting to break down. Place a sieve over a mixing bowl and push as much of the fruit and pulp through the sieve with the back or a spoon as possible, discarding the seeds and any stalks. You don't need to sieve the fruit if you prefer a seeded jam.
• Weigh the liquid and add three quarters of the sugar to the total liquid (for example, if your liquid is 400g, add 300g of sugar). Place back in the pan over a low medium heat and stir to dissolve the sugar.
• Once the sugar has fully dissolved, turn the heat up and bring to the boil. Stir occasionally. If using a jam or digital thermometer, wait until the liquid reaches 105C. If not, after about 8 mins, remove a saucer from the freezer and spread a teaspoon of jam over it. Let it sit for 1 min before pushing your finger through the liquid. If it starts to wrinkle, the jam is ready. If not, return to the boil and check again after another minute. Continue to do this until the jam reaches setting point.
• Allow to cool slightly, then pour into sterilised jars and allow to cool completely. Store in a cool dark place.

DUCKLING WITH PORT-WINE AND RED CURRANT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Remove giblets and necks from the ducklings. Rinse everything with running cold water and drain. Pat ducklings dry and cut each into quarteers; trimming excess skin and fat.
• Place a rack in roasting pan. Place duckling quarters, skin side up on rack and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for about 2 hours or until ducklings are golden and tender.
• While bird is roasting, place giblets and neck into a pot with enough water to cover. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Drain, reserving 1 cup of broth.
• In saucepan, combine the port-wine, orange juice, lemon juice, mustard, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup currant jelly and the reserved broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. In a small bowl or cup mix 2 tablespoons flour and 1/4 cup water. Gradually stir into simmering liquid in saucepan. Cook until sauce thickens slightly and is smooth.
• In a cup, stir 1/4 cup red-currant jelly and 1 teaspoon of water until smooth. About 10 minutes before duckling is done, brush duckling quarters with jelly mixture.
• To serve, arrange the duckling on a warm platter with oranges and olives as garnish. Serve the sauce in a gravy train or small bowl.