Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Cooking, Storing and Preserving => Topic started by: jack russell on June 22, 2007, 20:24

Title: microwave jam
Post by: jack russell on June 22, 2007, 20:24
hi all

i am going to make some tayberry jam from some frozen fruit i got from a lovely couple i done some work for.  i will be following the microwave jam making recipe found on this site.

My question is this.  I have some grease proof paper to put on top of the jam but what do i do for the lid do i just push the old lid back on or do i put some cloth on top with an elastic band around :?

please remember i am just a man and this is a serious question,  and take this into consideration before falling of your chair laughing :wink:


thanks in advance

jr
Title: microwave jam
Post by: David. on June 22, 2007, 20:31
Sterilize old lid with boiling water and re-use.

Fancy cover over re-used lid optional, but makes gifts of jam look better.
Title: microwave jam
Post by: jack russell on June 22, 2007, 20:37
Thanks for reply david but the lid on a jar never fits properly once removed is this still ok

cheers

jr
Title: microwave jam
Post by: peapod on June 22, 2007, 20:42
I suggest that you print the greaseproof with your own design and a 'made by Jack Russell' label and sell on the local farmers market  :wink:
Title: microwave jam
Post by: richyrich7 on June 22, 2007, 20:43
On the TV the other day, Lady from the WI said that there was no need for a wax paper top on your jam if your putting a lid on, as it can cause condensation between them causing mould.
Title: microwave jam
Post by: peapod on June 22, 2007, 20:47
Id go for the greaseproof and a nice tight elastic band and store in a cool place as long as its going to be eaten fairly quickly..
I wish there was virtual jam tasting available mmmmm  :D
Title: microwave jam
Post by: jack russell on June 22, 2007, 20:49
thanks pea pod but they only gave me 2lb of fruit  :lol:  :lol:  :wink:  want to make it now but not  got enough sugar in the house until tmw get to shop  :roll:

 so can i take it the lid will be fine?
 and how long will it keep?
and also how long before i can scoff it or do i just wait untill it sets ?

chers

jr
Title: microwave jam
Post by: David. on June 22, 2007, 20:50
If mouldy, don't throw away, just spoon off the mouldy top, boil up with water and use to make wine.
Title: microwave jam
Post by: DD. on June 22, 2007, 20:51
I think Jack's question is mainly concerning the seal the lid is, or isn't, going to make.

I use a piece of doubled up cling flim over the top, before putting the lid back on.

As other have mooted, this can be prettied up if giving away. Excess cling film can be trimmed off & a nice piece of gingham put over the old top with an elastic band.

This is what's going to happen with most of my 22 pots of gooseberry jam!

The greaseproof paper referred to is usually a circle put directly on top of the jam itself, and not a piece used to seal the jar.
Title: microwave jam
Post by: peapod on June 22, 2007, 20:54
yup lids ok. Sterilize it as has already be said and you can scoff it straight away (we do  :D  ) Ive kept unsealed jars in my larder for 4-5 weeks and its still been fine..but maybe Im a slob?  :D So I guess as long as the lid is airtight itd be ok for quite a while
Title: microwave jam
Post by: peapod on June 22, 2007, 20:55
though im leaning towards the wine idea right now  :wink:
Title: microwave jam
Post by: Ice on June 22, 2007, 20:58
Quote from: "peapod"
though im leaning towards the wine idea right now  :wink:


An even better idea Peapod, hic. :wink:
Title: microwave jam
Post by: DD. on June 22, 2007, 21:13
Quote from: "Ice hockey mad"
Quote from: "peapod"
though im leaning towards the wine idea right now  :wink:


An even better idea Peapod, hic. :wink:


From what I gather IHM, you lean because of the wine idea!
Title: microwave jam
Post by: David. on June 22, 2007, 21:15
Never had a problem (with hot lids on hot jam or cold lids on cold jam). If in doubt use cellophane caovers.
Title: microwave jam
Post by: Ice on June 22, 2007, 21:18
Quote
From what I gather IHM, you lean because of the wine idea!


You don't know me DD, yet you know me so well. :wink:  :lol:
Title: microwave jam
Post by: DD. on June 22, 2007, 21:30
Quote from: "Ice hockey mad"
Quote
From what I gather IHM, you lean because of the wine idea!


You don't know me DD, yet you know me so well. :wink:  :lol:


Evidence gathering we called it!
Title: microwave jam
Post by: Ice on June 22, 2007, 21:32
See ya.  I'm outa here. :shock:  :wink:  :lol:
Title: microwave jam
Post by: jack russell on June 23, 2007, 12:38
help

do i take the core of the fruit out a bit like the inner stalk or do i leave it in

cheers

jr
Title: microwave jam
Post by: WG. on June 23, 2007, 12:42
What type of fruit?
Title: microwave jam
Post by: jack russell on June 23, 2007, 12:51
tay berry


cheers

jr
Title: microwave jam
Post by: WG. on June 23, 2007, 13:10
Quote from: "jack russell"
tay berry
 
Remove central hull
Title: microwave jam
Post by: jack russell on June 23, 2007, 13:17
do i wait untill the jam goes cold before i put my cling film and lid on or do it right away

cheers

jr
Title: microwave jam
Post by: jack russell on June 23, 2007, 14:07
its done the jam is in the jars i got 2 1/2 jars from the recipe.  the tester bit on the cold t plate set well and tastes like.................JAM :shock:  :D   i am over the moon.

thanks for the help folks :wink:

it even put a smile on OH clock  thats a first 8)  :wink:

cheers

jr
Title: microwave jam
Post by: jacnal on June 25, 2007, 11:19
Congratulations JR!

I'm having a go at jam right now for the very first time ever too. Hoping it'll be a lifelong habit with an abundance of jam to give away and enjoy!
Title: microwave jam
Post by: GrannieAnnie on June 25, 2007, 14:18
I'm not a jam expert, by any means, always making mistakes, but I used all old jars of various shapes and sizes in 2003 for my rhubarb and ginger jam, sterilised the clean jars in as hot a water as I could manage, put in the hot jam, put the lids on and when it was a bit cooler, tightened the lids, and I am still eating it now, got 2 jars left as OH doesn't like it.  You can hear the lids popping as they make a vacuum.

My strawberry jam last year was superb, even if I do say so myself, but the ones I made yesterday, didn't set as well as I thought, but then I realised, I'd forgot to add a knob of butter.  Does anyone know if that's why? When I put a little of the jam on a cold plate and put it in fridge, it went crinkly a bit.
Title: microwave jam
Post by: jack russell on June 25, 2007, 14:27
even my kids are impressed and shocked me when they said it tastes like proper jam :shock:  :wink:

grannie annie i followed the recipe on this site and never used any butter.  

can i make rubarb jam using the same method i used for the tayberry?

cheers

jr
Title: microwave jam
Post by: GrannieAnnie on June 25, 2007, 15:01
http://www.allotment-garden.org/val_recipes/Rhubarb_Jam.php

This is Val's recipe for rhubarb jam