A friend brought me these sunflowers the other day, aren't they lovely, they make me smile everytime i see them.
Spent most of the weekend kneedeep in these (slight exaggeration!)
Made 15 jars of jam in total - my favourite!
With trial and error i have found the perfect receipe - i have always found strawberry jam difficult to set, but, when you put some gooseberries with it - perfect! I actually don't like gooseberries but you can't actually taste them!
Spent most of the weekend kneedeep in these (slight exaggeration!)
Made 15 jars of jam in total - my favourite!With trial and error i have found the perfect receipe - i have always found strawberry jam difficult to set, but, when you put some gooseberries with it - perfect! I actually don't like gooseberries but you can't actually taste them!Here's the receipe - 3lb strawbs, 1lb gooseberries (i used the dessert gooseberries), 4lb of granulated sugar. Top and tail the gooseberries and place in big pot (I don't have a preserving pan so i use an old pressure cooker). Add just enough water to cover them (about 100-150 ml). Slowly bring to boil and then simmer until gooseberries soft. Whilst this is going on place sugar in a bowl and place in a moderate oven. Then take stalks off of strawbs and add to gooseberries, simmer till soft. Take sugar out of oven and add to pan, stir gentley so as not to break up the fruit too much, keep simmering until sugar dissolved. Now put heat up to full and boil for 8-10 minutes. Take off the heat - take a small spoonful and place on a cold plate. Leave for a minute and then push with little finger -if jam wrinkles its ready - if not place on heat , boil for a further 5 minutes and repeat above until the jam wrinkes. I find it takes a couple of repeats and then its ready. Once done, if any scum on top, add a knob of butter and stir. Let settle for a while and then put into hot jars. This makes about 4/5 jars, depending on size of jar!
After all that, sit down with a huge cup of tea!
xxx
7 comments:
I love sunflowers too, they're definitely a "happy" flower - I can't help smiling at them either :o).
I think I might have to try out your jam recipe, although gooseberries are hard to get here so might have to leave them out - is there something I could use instead do you think??
Wish I could be over there enjoying your lovely Summer with you - it's getting quite chilly over here and we've been warned to expect it to be colder over the next few days too ... brrrr!!!
Take care ....
Love n hugs,
Joy :o) xxxx
Love those sunflowers and strawberry jam is my favourite especially on scones or pikelets with a dollop of cream....mmmmm my mouth is watering just thinking about it!!
I'm going to have to try your recipe. Nothing beats homemade strawberry jam. Yum!
xx
ooo yes, lovely bright flower faces! That jam looks yummy Mum always whacks some rhubarb in for a good set with the strawbs- I could never make jam myself having born witness to the anxiety on too many occasions as a youngster!
oooh, would go well with some scones and cream.
@Indigo BLue - it did!
I love strawberry jam and have made three batches so far this summer. The last one was the best because I used the cheat jam sugar with added pectin. The first two batches were with ordinary sugar and added lemon juice but they ended up over-set because I had to cook it so long - but it will still taste yummy and I have saved a jar of the best batch for our holiday when I will be allowed to eat it too!! ;o)
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