fluffyknickers Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Going to make some strawberry jam now I have my lakeland jars and my funnel and thermometer! Only ever made it in the breadmaker so help needed! What is the rule for sugar to strawberries as seem to remember reading that its by weight. Also, I bought a thermometer but dont actually know what to do with it when it reaches what temp I do what!!! Sorry for being a bit silly! Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I usually weigh my fruit then weigh out just less than the same amount of sugar. I find that the same amount is a bit too sweet for strawberry. If I had 1.2kg of fruit I would use 1kg of sugar. I use jam sugar for strawberry because it takes the guess work out of it setting because it needs the extra pectin. I cook the fruit until it is starting to cook down then add the sugar and bring to the boil. Most packets of jam sugar say that you need to have it on a rolling boil for about 4-6 minutes. We have used a thermometer and the jam is supposed to reach 104 degrees c but we have never managed to get it above about 103 and this seems good enough. The jam we make is quite a soft set but it keeps fine and because it has not been over boiled it keeps a lovely fresh strawberry flavour and the fruit stays in chunks too. We do however use our own beries which tend to be softer than shop bought which may need slightly longer in the initial cooking. We don't use butter as is suggested in some recipes to absorb the scum. we just leave the scum it tastes good too but the butter can give the jam a slightly rancid buttery taste I find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Delias strawberry jam is good http://www.deliaonline.com/cookery-school/how-to/how-to-make-strawberry-preserve,61,AR.html Soaking the fruit overnight covered in the sugar really does help them stay in shape. It is really good; I've made it several times and the kids have eaten it all up in days! Also, I don't use a thermometer, just chilled plates for testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Here is a link to a video posted by Egluntine - viewtopic.php?f=20&t=43897&view=unread#unread Very easy to follow and the results look good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Where did you get the strawberries??? I've yet to see any cheap enough to start jamming BUT I go here to pick - we could maybe meet up and go together one day when they are in season! Of course the ones in my front garden aren't doing too bad - cheapo Aldi ones have LOADS of fruit on already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share Posted May 11, 2009 Sounds good - love strawberry picking. Especially love picking them when they are on tables! I bought them on offer in either tesco or asda - cant remember. I also bought some summer fruits that were frozen del monte ones as they were on offer in Tesco so made jam from that. Also bought cheap rhubarb to make jam - tried to make it in to jelly by straining it but it hasnt set I have my strawberry lakeland plants i the garden - they have flowers on now - I am assuming that's good (never grown them before!) Michelle xx x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Yes the table picking was excellent - the rasberries were nowhere near as convenient. This year I'm going without James though - on the day we went there was a light drizzle (no problem, wasn't cold and had our waterproof hoodies on) but James was a proper "whingebag whinepants" the whole time we were there and I left before I'd really got all I wanted. I thought it would be a nice treat for him too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share Posted May 11, 2009 Ha ha! i took Charlie too and thought he would love it and he wasnt really bothered! Then I took Lily (2 years) when he was at school and she just kept running off and eating LOADS. We should go on our on one weekend!!! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
