Vanilla Scented Plums And Blackberries Food

HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Prepare the boiling water canner before starting to cook your jam. (Fill the canner/stockpot at least half full of enough clean, warm water so the level will be at least 1" over the top of the filled jars once they're added).
• Wash, pit and chop plums w/ skins.
• Wash and crush blackberries w/ potato masher.
• Place plums and crushed blackberries in large pot.
• Add pectin a little at a time to plums and berries, stirring constantly.
• Heat on high stirring constantly until mixture comes to a FULL boil.
• Add sugar ALL at once, stirring.
• Bring mixture back to a full hard boil, stirring constantly.
• Use potato masher to carefully further crush plums and berries in pot.
• Boil for 5 minutes.
• Skim off foam, if present.
• Place in sterilized, hot jars, leaving 1/4" headspace.
• Wipe edges of jars with clean cloth, place lids and screw on bands fingertip-tight.
• Process in a boiling water bath for ten minutes at sea level (over 1000 feet, add one minute of processing for each 1000 feet in altitude).
• Remove from water and place jars on a cloth-protected counter or cooling rack to cool undisturbed for 24 hours.
• Remove rings from sealed jars and store; put any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use first.

VANILLA POACHED PLUMS

Steps:

• cut vanilla bean in half lengthwise.
• Scrape seeds into a small bowl, discard bean (or place in a container of sugar for a very pleasant vanilla scented sugar) Add sugar, and stir well.
• Place plums in a 1 quart baking dish, add sugar mixture and lemon juice, tossing gently to coat.
• Dot with margarine, cover and bake at 400f degrees for 20 minutes or until plums are tender, stirring once.