Vanilla Plum Jam Food

PLUM-VANILLA PRESERVES

Steps:

• Start with our step-by-step canning how-to.
• Put the plums, sugar, vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks in a large, wide saucepan. Squeeze the lemon juice through a strainer into the pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy or deep-fry thermometer registers 220 degrees F, about 30 minutes. (To be sure that the mixture has reached the gel point, spoon some onto a chilled plate and put in the freezer until cool. The liquid should set; if not, continue to cook and retest after a few more minutes.) Remove the pan from the heat and let cool 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sterilize four 8-ounce canning jars and lids.
• Return the plum mixture to medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring, then add the plumcots. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the plumcots are tender, about 5 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
• Fill the jars with the plum mixture, leaving 1/2 inch headspace, then seal and process.

VANILLA PLUM JAM

Steps:

• In a large covered saucepan, bring plums, agave and vanilla bean to a boil.
• Lower heat, uncover pot and simmer 15 minutes, until plums are dissolved (though skins will remain).
• Cook 10 more minutes to reduce mixture, then stir in stevia.
• Remove vanilla bean, place plum mixture in blender and puree on highest setting.
• Transfer mixture back to pot and reheat on stove.
• In a small bowl, combine arrowroot powder and 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry.
• Bring plum mixture to a boil, then add arrowroot slurry, stirring continuously, until incorporated.
• Remove from heat, cool and transfer to mason jars.
• Store in refrigerator for up to one week.

PLUM VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Bring all ingredients to a boil in a large pot, mashing with a potato masher.
• Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is the consistency of very thick honey, about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove plum skin if desired. Discard vanilla bean and zest. Do not strain; jam should be chunky.
• Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 month.

PLUM AND VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Put a plate in the refrigerator for at least one hour before starting making jam. (With this plate you will check whether the jam has thickened sufficiently after cooking.)
• Sterilize the pots as described in the notes section.
• Make a bowl with ⅔ water and add ⅓ vinegar. Wash the prunes in vinegar water.
• Cut the plums in half and remove the pit.
• Put the prunes and the vanilla extract in a pan and add ⅔ cup (180 ml water).
• Bring the contents of the pan to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
• Puree the jam with a blender and strain the puree.
• Weigh the leftover puree. Add 4 cups (750 grams) of sugar for every 3 cups (1 kilo) of fruit puree.
• Bring the puree with the sugar back to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Take the plate out of the fridge, and drop a few drops of jelly on it. When the jam is done, the jelly will stiffen immediately, otherwise, you have to cook for 2 more minutes and check again (put the plate back in the cooling in between because you need a cold plate for checking).
• Pour a small bottom of jam into the jam jars (about ½ inch) (not too much else the pots can burst), wait a minute, and pour more jam until the jar is full.
• Turn the lid on the pots and put the pots bottom up.
• Allow to cool to room temperature and turn the pots upside down. They are now sterile.
• Label the jam. Jam can be stored in a sterilized jar for 6-12 months at room temperature. Once it is open, you have to keep it in the fridge and it will last for a few weeks.

VANILLA CARDAMOM PLUM JELLY

Steps:

• Prepare jars and lids by sterilizing in hot water.
• Line a colander with cheesecloth and place it inside a bowl.
• Bring plums, water, brandy, lemon juice, and cardamom to a boil in large pot over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until fruit is soft, about 15 minutes.
• Pour plum mixture into colander. Without pressing on fruit, let mixture drain until all juice has strained into the bowl, about 45 minutes. Add water to make 2 3/4 C juice.
• Return juice to pot with pectin, vanilla and bring to a full boil over high heat until mixture doesn't stop bubbling when stirred.
• Stir in sugar and return mixture to a full boil. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Remove pot from heat. Skim off and discard any foam from top.
• Ladle jelly into hot jars, filling them to within 1/4 inch of their rims. Cover each jar with a two-piece lid. Return jars to canner.
• Process filled jars for 5 minutes, beginning timing when water comes to a boil. After 5 minutes, turn off heat and remove canner lid. Allow jars to rest in hot water 5 minutes.

PLUM VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Bring all ingredients to a boil in a large stockpot, mashing with a potato masher. Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is the consistency of very thick honey, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove plum skin if desired. Discard vanilla bean and zest. Do not strain; jam should be chunky.