Blueberry Jam

At long last-a NEW ENTRY. Sorry I haven't posted anything since last year but...... I've been really busy and so much as happened. Hopefully over the next few days I'll have some time to bring everyone up to speed. But right now I must comment on "Blueberry Jam". Yesterday, Feb. 28/09 Bruce Day and myself gave a demo on basic bottling/canning techniques. I plan to have some photos posted to Photobucket soon, so keep watching. In the meantime you can go to Bruce's web site at www.downhomecatering.ca to get some recipes/tips, etc.. If I can figure out how, I'll post links to this and the site of the people that sponsored the demo, shortly.

I promised to post the recipe I used to make blueberry jam, so here it is:

8 cups berrys (washed and picked), either fresh or frozen
1 pkg. Pectin - 49g (I used liquid pectin, but powered will also work)
2-1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Put berries and 1 cup water into large pot and mash to the consistency you want. I use a potatoe masher. Be sure to mix well.

Take some of the sugar (about 1/4 cup and mix with the pectin), stir into the berry mixture. While stirring constantly bring to a rolling boil and add the remaining sugar and lemon juice. When you have a good rolling boil time for 1 minute. Be sure to keep stirring.

After the 1 minute boil, remove from heat and skim off any foam that may have formed. Using a funnel, fill hot (sterilized) canning jars taking care to leave a headspace (approx. 1/4 inch) between jam and cover. Put lids on immediately and screw bands on finger tight. For complete safety (especially if you plan to store the jam) - boil the filled jars in water canner for a minimum of 10 minutes.

For variation, experiment a little with different herbs and spices, or try adding a little booze for flavoring.

The above recipe should fill around 12-16 (250ml or 1/2 cup) jars. If you want to increase the size of the recipe be sure to weigh all the individual ingredients in the above basic recipe. Then multiply these weights by amount you want to increase the recipe. Increase or decrease recipes by weight, not by volume.

Now I must go and do a little work around the home. Hope the above is helpful and keep coming back for more. Take care and best wishes.