There is something really special about making your own strawberry jam. This recipe has no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
Jams are great gift ideas as they contain your own personal touch. For me, cooking for someone is one of the most personal things you can do. Get creative with some personalised labels or packaging!
The strawberries in this recipe can be substituted with almost any sweet fruit. Check what’s in season to save you some pennies.
Serves: 3 x 330g jars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: at least 30 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- 3 x 330g glass jars with lids
- 1.5kgs strawberries, hulled, washed and halved
- 1.2kgs castor sugar
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tsp vanilla essence
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Pinch salt
What You’ll Need To Do:
1. Place the strawberries, lemon juice, zest and sugar in a large saucepan. Heat over a low heat and simmer gently until the sugar dissolves. Note - to prepare the jam, always remember to simmer the fruit and sugar really slowly as the start. This process extracts the fruit’s natural pectin, the gelling agent.
2. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the vanilla essence and cinnamon sticks and turn the heat up to medium-high and boil the mixture rapidly for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, steralise the jars by boiling in water for 10 minutes. Remove and dry the jar thoroughly. This can be done by placing in the oven for 5 minutes.
4. Test the jam for consistency. Place a spoonful of the jam mixture on a saucer and put in the fridge for two minutes. Touch it with your finger – if it “wrinkles” and is slightly solid on the outside, then it is ready. If not, boil the mixture for another 5-10 minutes and test again.
5. Once the jam is ready, remove from the heat and let sit for 10 minutes or until the edges of the jam slightly set. Pour jam into the warm jars and then let cool before sealing.
6. Store jam in the fridge for several months after opening.
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