Make your own jam

From: blog.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/2010/06/29/make-your-own-jam/

Many store-bought jams, jellies and preserves contain more sugar than fruit. While you do need some sugar, it’s really the fruit you want to taste! With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of simmering, you’ll have the best-tasting fruit spread imaginable.

Ingredients
Take your pick of juicy, sweet fruit. Berries, peaches, plums, figs and cherries top my list of favorites. You can even use citrus, rinds and all — then it’s called marmalade. Combine fruit with sugar and lemon juice, simmer until thick, and you’re in business. Cooking time will vary depending on the type of fruit you choose and how finely it’s chopped. I like mine a bit on the chunky side, which takes a little longer.

You can make jams the old fashioned way by cooking down until thick and gooey – the sugar and natural substances (called pectin) in the fruit, helps the jam gel. A batch of my Strawberry-Thyme Jam (recipe below) takes about 30 minutes.

To thicken things up a little faster, extra pectin can be added. Packaged pectin powder or liquid is made from apples or citrus, and is available at most grocery stores. Pectin does need the proper balance of sugar and acid to be effective, so follow directions on the box carefully.

While your fruit and sugar concoction cooks down, skim away any foam that accumulates on the sides of the pot. Since jam doesn’t reach its full thickness until it’s completely cooled, it can be hard to tell when it’s done. Place a small spoonful on an ice-cold plate – if it gels, you’re good to go.

Storage
The easiest way to store homemade jam is in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. For longer storage, the jam needs to be properly canned. For extra-special presentation, try making your own labels — homemade jam makes great gifts!

Strawberry-Thyme Jam

Learn more about canning and check out our interview with Sherri Brooks Vinton, author of a new book on all kinds of methods for food preservation.

Strawberry-Thyme Jam
Makes 2 cups

6 cups fresh strawberries, halved
1 cup granulated sugar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

Simmering Strawberry-Thyme Jam

Combine ingredients in a non-reactive pot and toss well. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened (about 30 minutes). Cool to room temperature. Transfer to resealable containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Nutrition info per tablespoon:
Calories: 35 calories
Total Fat: 0 grams
Saturated Fat: 0 grams
Total Carbohydrate: 9 grams
Protein: 0 grams
Sodium: 0 milligrams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Fiber: 0.5 gram

Easy Zucchini Slice

From www.exclusivelyfood.com.au

This savoury slice can be served hot or cold, as a side dish or with a salad as a main meal. You will need about 3 large bacon rashers for this recipe.

Preparation time: about 35 minutes (excludes baking time)

Serves about 6 as a light meal with a salad.

We use a 20ml tablespoon and 250ml measuring cup for all of our recipes.

550g zucchini
1 medium (about 160g) onion, peeled and finely chopped
130g bacon (after fat and rind has been removed)
75g (1 cup, lightly packed) grated tasty cheddar cheese
112g (3/4 cup) self-raising flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 large eggs (we use eggs with a minimum weight of 59g)
83ml (1/3 cup) oil (we use a mild-flavoured oil, such as sunflower)

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Celsius fan-forced). If you are not using a fan-forced oven, adjust the oven rack to the middle of the oven.

Finely chop bacon. Heat a heavy-based nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. © exclusivelyfood.com.au

Fry bacon and onion for about six minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened but not browned. Set aside to cool.

Line an 18cm by 28cm baking dish or slice pan with baking paper.

Wash zucchini, remove ends and finely grate. Squeeze handfuls of grated zucchini over sink to remove excess liquid (this prevents the slice from being too wet).

Combine grated zucchini, cooled onion and bacon mixture, cheese, flour, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

Use a fork to beat eggs and oil together in a small bowl. Add egg and oil mixture to the other ingredients and stir to combine.

Pour mixture into baking dish and spread evenly.

Bake for about 45 minutes, or until slice is golden brown and firm to the touch.

Set aside for five to ten minutes before slicing.

Store slice in the refrigerator. Suitable to reheat. © www.exclusivelyfood.com.au

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