Stevia Jelly Food

LOW-SUGAR RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place raspberries in a small pot and mash with a potato masher. Add syrup and bring to a boil. Stir in sugar and stevia. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thick, stirring constantly, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.

NO SUGAR-NEEDED STRAWBERRY JAM WITH STEVIA

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain jars well before filling.
• Stem and crush strawberries thoroughly, 1 layer at a time. Measure exactly 3 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Stir in water. Gradually add pectin, stirring until well blended.
• Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Cook exactly 1 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in no-calorie sweetener. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.) Let prepared jars stand at room temperature 24 hours. Store unopened jams and jellies in cool, dry, dark place up to 1 year. Refrigerate opened jams and jellies up to 3 weeks.

SUGAR FREE JALAPENO JELLY WITH TRUVIA

Steps:

• Wash and sterilize 12 - 8oz. canning jars. The 12 lids (not the 12 rings) should be place in a pan of water and brought to a simmer, not boiled and then removed from heat. I try to have jars and lids hot and ready at the same time as the jelly.
• Make sure you wear disposable rubber gloves to prepare the jalapenos. Rinse jalapenos, cut off stems, cut in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and ribs. I seed the jalapenos under water in a large bowl of cold water to keep the peppers from spraying on my skin or in my eyes. I chopped the jalapeno peppers and the bell peppers in a food processor a few at a time. (Some like to chop the entire jalapeno including the seeds, to make it hotter, but I find the seeds do not chop very well. If you don't mind the seeds this is a much simpler way to make it hotter and to prepare the jalapenos.).
• Optional method if you like hotter spicier jelly and don't want seeds in the jelly; try this method: Place all the seeds and ribs from the jalapenos in the pan you will be making the jelly inches Add the cider vinegar, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, strain the vinegar to use for the jelly and discarded the seeds and ribs. I prefer not so spicy, but my husbands loves it and I'm always trying to find ways to make it spicier (I even used a few habenero peppers in a batch) !
• In a large pan, add finely chopped jalapenos, finely chopped red, green and/or yellow peppers (remember bell peppers are optional. I like them because they add color and tone down the spiciness), and cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer, add food coloring (opt) and stir in 2 pkgs. Sure-Jell (VERY IMPORTANT to use the "No sugar needed" style, in the pink box) to the peppers. Turn heat to med/high and bring to a full rolling boil (a boil you can not stir down) and boil exactly one minute. Remove from heat and stir in Truvia Sweetener.
• Use a ladle and fill hot sterilized jars with hot jelly, make sure to leave about ½" of air space for better sealing. Wipe top of rim with clean damp towel to remove any drips. Place hot lid on top and screw ring on snugly, but not real tight. You want to allow air to escape for better sealing.
• Fill a canning kettle or large pot (with bottom rack) with water, and bring water to a boil. Gently lower jars into water. Water should cover jars by at least 1". Bring water to a full boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil, cover, and process for 5 minutes. When processed, carefully remove jars from water using tongs or a jar-lifter. Place upside-down on a rack or thick towels, and let cool without moving for 12-24 hours. Jars will make popping sounds while cooling if sealed. Remove ring, wipe jars with a clean damp towel, put ring back on and store in your pantry until ready to use.
• To check the seal just press down on lid, if you are able to push it and the lid flexes it is not sealed but will keep well in the in refrigerator until ready to use.
• To serve, stir to soften, pour over an 8 oz softened block of cream cheese, add a knife and let guests spread on assorted crackers. Or gently mix jelly and cream cheese until coarsely mixed and serve as a dip or spread.
• Make a great glaze on fish, chicken or pork!
• Great PB & JJ sandwich (peanut butter and Jalapeno Jelly) !