Chili jam

windowshopper100

I've made this chilli apple jelly a couple of times. Goes down very well as Christmas presents.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/chilliapplejelly_7293.shtml

I made it as per the recipe the first time and it was lovely, then I tried to improvise and use what I had last time and used some whole dried birdseye chillies, crushed.

It turned out very nice but what became obvious is that the chilli flakes mentioned in the recipe are not of the birdseye variety, but altogether milder. It was still edible, and you could still make out the apple amazingly, but it wasn't for the faint hearted.

It still got used, but more of an ingredient in stews and things rather than a condiment.

WS

jollymummy

Here we go, this is easy peasy and gorgeous!!!!

Sweet chilli jam (makes 2 - 3 jars)

12 large, red ripe tomatoes
2 large red peppers
4 (or more if you like it hot) fresh chillis
1 piece of fresh ginger (about thumb size)
625ml (2 1/2 cups) white sugar
60ml Balsamic or white wine vinegar
salt to taste

rough chop the toms, peppers and chillis and liquidise them together with the ginger (previously grated) and whizz for about 1 minute. Pour the resulting foamy mixture into a large pan and tip in the sugar and vinegar. Bring to boil on medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until all the sugar is disolved.

turn up the heat and boil rapidly for about 30 mins, stirring frequently and using a flat metal spoon skim off the froth.

Prepare the jars (i microwave wet jars for three mins and leave to drain upside down)

taste the mixture, if it's too sweet and a bit more vinegar, the mixture is nearly ready when it darkens a little and looks syrupy.

take an ice cube and place a large drop of the jam on it. if after about 20 secs the blob becomes wobbly the jam is ready, if it runs off just keep going.

once set point is reached remove from heat and place into jars.

keeps for about 3 months in fridge but trust me they won't last that long
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I made one batch that was a bit runny as I doubled up quantities but it made perfect, sweet chilli dipping sauce !!!
JM