Rhubarb Vanilla Jam Food

RHUBARB & VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Put a small plate in the freezer. Put the rhubarb into a preserving pan or your largest saucepan with the sugar and halved vanilla pods. Heat gently, stirring, until all the sugar has dissolved, then squeeze in the lemon juice and increase the heat.
• Boil for about 10 mins, skimming off the scum as you go (the fruit should be soft). Test for setting point by spooning a little onto your chilled plate. After 1-2 mins, push your finger through the jam - if the surface wrinkles it is ready, if not, keep cooking for 2-min intervals, testing in between. (Or if you have a sugar thermometer it should reach 105C)
• Once the jam is ready, let it cool for about 15 mins before ladling into warm sterilised jars and sealing. Will keep for 6 months in a cool, dark place.

RHUBARB JAM

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar, orange zest, orange juice and water. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium-low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thick. It will thicken more as it cools.
• Ladle into hot sterile jars, and seal with lids and rings. Store opened jars in the refrigerator.

RHUBARB AND VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 140°C Wash two or three jam jars in hot, soapy water, then rinse and put in a warm oven to dry, or wash on a hot dishwasher cycle, then keep warm. Put two plates in the freezer ready to test for setting.
• Put the rhubarb, sugar, vanilla and orange juice in a large, wide-based pan and heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.
• Increase the heat and bring to the boil. Boil rapidly for 10 minutes, then test for setting. To do this, put a teaspoon of jam on one of the chilled plates, then push it gently with your finger. If the surface wrinkles, the jam is ready. If not, boil again for 2 minutes, then retest. Repeat until it's ready.
• Skim any scum off the surface and remove the vanilla pod. Leave the jam for 15 minutes, then pour into the jars. Cover with jam pot covers, following the instructions on the pack.

RHUBARB & GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Wash the rhubarb under cold running water and slice into 2cm pieces. Tip into a large ceramic or plastic bowl and add the jam sugar, lemon zest and juice, and chopped stem ginger. Finely grate the peeled ginger directly over the rhubarb.
• Stir the mixture thoroughly, cover loosely with cling film and leave to one side for about 2 hrs to allow the sugar to dissolve into the rhubarb juices. You may need to stir the mixture occasionally to encourage this process along.
• Pop a few saucers in the freezer. Scoop the fruit and all the sugary juices into a preserving pan and set over a medium heat. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved, and bring to the boil. Continue to cook at a fairly swift pace until the rhubarb is really tender and the conserve has reached setting point - this should take about 10-15 mins.
• To test for a set, drop ½ tsp of the jam onto a cold saucer, leave it for 30 secs, then gently push it with the tip of your finger. If the jam wrinkles the setting point has been reached. If not, continue to cook for a further couple of minutes and test again.
• Remove the pan from the heat and leave to one side for 2-3 mins before pouring into sterilised jars. Seal immediately and label with the date once completely cold.