Jam making help for first timer

billieboy_2

FC as you were up after midnight I don't suppose you're up yet! Quick question - my greengrocer has some English gooseberries, can I make your quick strawberry jam recipe with them? If so, do I have to cook the gooseberries down first as they are hard? BTW I think you should change your name to Jam Correspondent:rotfl: ! TIA.

Off to an Asda this mornng to get the jam sugar - I'm tempted to stock up. Have asked everyone to save their jars for me. My neighbour gets a bumper crop of plums every year.

foreign_correspondent

billieboy wrote: »

FC as you were up after midnight I don't suppose you're up yet! Quick question - my greengrocer has some English gooseberries, can I make your quick strawberry jam recipe with them? If so, do I have to cook the gooseberries down first as they are hard? BTW I think you should change your name to Jam Correspondent:rotfl: ! TIA.

Off to an Asda this mornng to get the jam sugar - I'm tempted to stock up. Have asked everyone to save their jars for me. My neighbour gets a bumper crop of plums every year.

lol! I have never made gooseberry jam - but a quick google revealed this - apparently they have enough pectin so no need for jam sugar, but not so quick -
http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/popular-cuisines/british/gooseberry-jam-recipe_p_1.html

billieboy_2

Just made the strawberry jam with FC's recipe and it worked really well. It set after four minutes and was even setting as I was struggling to get it in the jars (I must get a jam funnel). It made four jars btw. Have got a banana cake in the oven, made with some reduced bananas, and made a ginger cake this morning, so feeling very virtuous. Just got to tackle the ironing, hoover and make the dinner now. A woman's work ...............:D

foreign_correspondent

billieboy wrote: »

Just made the strawberry jam with FC's recipe and it worked really well. It set after four minutes and was even setting as I was struggling to get it in the jars (I must get a jam funnel). It made four jars btw. Have got a banana cake in the oven, made with some reduced bananas, and made a ginger cake this morning, so feeling very virtuous. Just got to tackle the ironing, hoover and make the dinner now. A woman's work ...............:D

Cool, so glad it worked well! I have made another three batches today (have lots of home grown strawbs to use!) - home made jam really is lovely, and makes a very nice gift, especially if you put a bit of gingham over the lid - much appreciated by elderly relatives I find!!

Re funnels - I have looked high and low for a jam funnel, I ended up buying a big plastic funnel from Wilkos and gurtting the narrow eng of the 'spout' off with a hacksaw! It works well. You don't see nigella doing that though!

You have had a very productive day - sounds good! I have been busy making elderflower cordial (for the first time ever) and it is blooming lovely! - highly recommended.

billieboy_2

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Cool, so glad it worked well! I have made another three batches today (have lots of home grown strawbs to use!) - home made jam really is lovely, and makes a very nice gift, especially if you put a bit of gingham over the lid - much appreciated by elderly relatives I find!! Buying the strawbs worked out at about 70p a jar but at least I know what went in it! Yes, my idea was to make jars for Christmas presents, with food prices as they are I think anyone would appreciate them. Have blagged a couple of rhubarb plants so next year .........

Re funnels - I have looked high and low for a jam funnel, I ended up buying a big plastic funnel from Wilkos and gurtting the narrow eng of the 'spout' off with a hacksaw! It works well. You don't see nigella doing that though! I'm off to T J Hughes to look for a funnel. My DH asked in a Pro Cook shop yesterday and they hadn't even heard of one! If they haven't got one there's a Wilkinsons nearby so might follow your idea:T .

You have had a very productive day - sounds good! I have been busy making elderflower cordial (for the first time ever) and it is blooming lovely! - highly recommended.

Unfortunately we cut back the elderflower trees this year so haven't got much byh way of blooms:mad: . I'm looking forward to blackberry and plum season so I can make jams with just the cost of the sugar and fuel.

parsonswife8

I'm going to make my strawberry jam this afternoon, using the adapted instructions from fc for the reipe off the packet of jam sugar.
Fingers crossed!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

billieboy_2

T J Hughes didn't have one and also looked in a number of shops. So bought a set of three funnels from Wilkinson and cut the bottom off one. Will try this next time, if it doesn't Lakeland has one.

billieboy_2

parsonswife8 wrote: »

I'm going to make my strawberry jam this afternoon, using the adapted instructions from fc for the reipe off the packet of jam sugar.
Fingers crossed!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Good luck, hope you get the same result as me!

parsonswife8

billieboy wrote: »

Good luck, hope you get the same result as me!

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Good morning billieboy and foreign correspondent.

Made my strawberry jam and it came out tops! Very easy to do and set well.

:T :T :T :T :T

Going to bake some scones soon and try it out. Yum!

Thanks again fc.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

billieboy_2

parsonswife8 wrote: »

____________________________________________________

Good morning billieboy and foreign correspondent.

Made my strawberry jam and it came out tops! Very easy to do and set well.

:T :T :T :T :T

Going to bake some scones soon and try it out. Yum!

Thanks again fc.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Morning to you too. Glad your jam came out well. I can't make any more until I get some more jars:mad: ! Have asked all and sundry to save their jars for me:D .