Sweet Apple Cider Jelly Food

APPLE CIDER JELLY

Steps:

• Pour the apple cider into a stockpot that holds at least 5 quarts of liquid. Bring to a boil over medium heat and then reduce the heat as necessary to keep the apple cider at a good simmer, bubbling happily and not sluggishly.
• After about 2 to 2 1/2 hours, the cider will have reduced to a little more than a quart, with about 5-6 cups of cider left in the pot.
• While the cider simmers and reduces, wash and rinse 4 8-ounce mason jars, rings, and fresh lids. Keep the jars and rings in a 200-degree oven until you're ready to use them, and the lids in a pot of barely simmering water until then.
• If you're water bath canning your jelly, you'll want to get your canning pot ready and on for a boil now too.
• Transfer the cider to a smaller 2-quart saucepan, if desired, and whisk the pectin (and sugar, if using) into the cider.
• Simmer the cider for 5 minutes more, letting the pectin activate and thicken the cider into a syrupy jelly.
• Carefully fill the warm jars with jelly, leaving 1/4 inch headspace, and water bath can for 10 minutes at a rolling boil if desired.
• If you're just making refrigerator jelly, seal the jars and leave them on a cooling rack until no longer hot to the touch.
• Transfer the jars to the refrigerator and allow to chill for 24 hours before using.

CIDER JELLY

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine cider and red hots. Stir in pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir 1 minute. , Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into six hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight., Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

APPLE CIDER JELLY

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of the sugar and the powdered pectin. Set aside.
• Pour the apple cider into a cooking pot.
• Add the pectin/sugar mixture to juice in the cooking pot; Stir vigorously and well.
• Bring mixture to full rolling boil stirring constantly.
• Stir in remaining sugar and the cinnamon. Return to full rolling boil and boil for one-minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat. Skim off any foam.
• Ladle into sterilized jars to within 1/8 inch of tops.
• Seal and process five-minutes in boiling water bath.

WINTER SPICE JELLY

Steps:

• Wash and cut up the apples into small chunks, leaving the peel and cores in. Tip the apple into a large pan with the spices, orange peel and bay leaves, reserving 2 star anise, 4 cloves and 2 bay leaves for the jars. Cover with 600ml water. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer with a lid on for 1 1⁄2 hrs.
• Pour the apple mixture into a jelly bag or a sieve lined with muslin or a J-cloth, suspended over a large bowl. Leave to drip for 2 hrs (until it stops dripping) or overnight. Do not be tempted to push the liquid though the sieve or your jelly will become cloudy.
• Measure the juice - you should have about 600ml. Pour the liquid into a large pan along with the jam sugar and vinegar.
• Set over a low heat to dissolve the sugar, stirring constantly. Once dissolved, turn up the heat and bring to the boil. Boil rapidly for 15 mins, or until setting point is reached, skimming away any scum that rises to the surface.
• Pour jelly into hot sterilised jars and place a star anise, bay leaf and 2 cloves into each jar. Chill for 3-4 hrs or overnight until set.