Strawberry Habanero Jam Food

MONTE CRISTO WITH STRAWBERRY HABANERO JAM

Steps:

• For the strawberry habanero jam: In a 4-quart saucepan set over medium heat, add the sugar, orange zest and juice, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Turn the heat up to high and add the strawberries and habanero. Bring to a boil, stirring often, until the temperature reaches 200 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Once the jam has reached that temperature, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Once cooled, you can serve immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week.
• For the custard: In a baking dish, whisk together the, milk, salt, sugar, nutmeg and eggs. Reserve.
• For the sandwich build: Preheat a griddle over medium heat. Top a slice of Texas toast with a slice of cheese, one-quarter of the ham, a second piece of cheese and the second slice of toast. Dip the sandwiches into the custard, letting the excess drip off. Add some butter to the griddle and gently pan fry each sandwich until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes each side. Remove from the griddle, dust with some powdered sugar, if using, and serve some strawberry habanero jam on the side.

RASPBERRY HABANERO JAM

Steps:

• Blend vinegar, green bell pepper, and habanero peppers together in a blender until smooth. Stir pepper mixture, sugar, raspberries, and pectin together in a large stockpot; bring to a boil and cook until jam is smooth and sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack jam into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or 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 and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 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.

JALAPENO STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place the crushed strawberries, minced jalapeno pepper, lemon juice, and pectin into a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Once simmering, stir in the sugar until dissolved, return to a boil, and cook for 1 minute.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the 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. Allow to cool overnight 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.

STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Rinse five 1-cup plastic or freezer-safe containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly. Wash and mash berries, measuring out enough mashed berries to make 4 cups; place in a large bowl. Stir in sugar, corn syrup and lemon juice. Let stand 10 minutes., In a Dutch oven, combine strawberry mixture and water. Stir in pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; skim off foam., Pour into containers, leaving 1/2 in. headspace. Cover and let stand overnight or until set, but not longer than 24 hours. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 12 months.

STRAWBERRY JALAPENO JAM

Steps:

• Sterilize eight half pint canning jars with lids and rings, boiling for at least 5 minutes and kept hot.
• Place the crushed strawberries (do not chop in a food processer; the texture will be too fine and choppy), processed jalapeno pepper, lemon juice and pectin into a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan; stir in the sugar to dissolve. Rapidly bring to a boil over high heat (long, slow boiling destroys the pectin). Once at a full rolling boil, cook for 1 full minute. One half teaspoon butter may be added to keep down the foam, if desired. Letting this mixture sit for about 5 minutes discourages the fruit from separating.
• Pack the 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.
• Process 10 minutes in a boiling water canner. Remove the jars and place onto a cloth-covered or heat-resistance surface. (While cooling, I shake frequently to redistribute content.) Allow to cool overnight. Store in a cool, dark area.

STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Combine 1 pound fresh (or frozen, thawed) hulled, quartered strawberries and 2/3 cup sugar in a large heavy skillet. Stir in 1 peeled, coarsely grated large Granny Smith apple. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring and breaking up strawberries, until sugar dissolves. Simmer until jam is thickened, 10-15 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Transfer to a bowl or jar; let cool. Cover and chill until set, about 2 hours. Keep chilled; serve within 2 weeks.

STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Add the strawberries, sugar and pectin to a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir gently as the strawberries break down and begin to thicken. Cook for 20 minutes. Cool and store in jars.
• Properly-handled sterilized equipment will keep canned foods in good condition for years. Sterilizing jars is the first step of preserving foods.
• Tips:
• Jars should be made from glass and free of any chips or cracks. Preserving or canning jars are topped with a glass, plastic, or metal lid, which has a rubber seal. Two piece lids are best for canning, as they vacuum seal when processed.
• To sterilize jars, before filling with jams, pickles, or preserves, wash jars and lids with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and arrange jars and lids open sides up, without touching, on a tray. Boil the jars and lids in a large saucepan, covered with water, for 15 minutes.
• Use tongs when handling the hot sterilized jars, to move them from boiling water. Be sure the tongs are sterilized too, by dipping the ends in boiling water for a few minutes.
• As a rule, hot preserves go into hot jars and cold preserves go into cold jars. All items used in the process of making jams, jellies, and preserves must be clean. This includes any towels used, and especially your hands.
• After the jars are sterilized, you can preserve the food. It is important to follow any canning and processing instructions included in the recipe and refer to USDA guidelines about the sterilization of canned products.