Cook, Share: Jam

It's been a while since I posted a recipe. The last one I shared was a hit, but really, who doesn't want a slice of Baileys Cheesecake?

Today I thought I'd share one of the things I do that makes me wonder if I really am thirty, or perhaps an eighty-year-old hiding in a thirty-year-old's body.

I make my own jam.

Yes, I do. I know it sounds like an old person thing to do, but it is seriously the EASIEST thing I've ever made in my life. And it tastes SO much better than bought jam.

Once a year, I go to a local berry farm and buy a few kilos of berries - usually just raspberries and blackberries. We used to go with some friends and pick them ourselves, but the last time we went together we decided to buy the pre-picked ones and then just go for coffee. Anyway, I freeze the berries and use them in cakes, desserts and jam all year round - that way, there's no need to buy them when they're really expensive during the year, or pre-packaged.

Here's how I make my jam:

1kg berries (I use raspberries or blackberries, or half/half)
800g sugar
3 squirts lemon juice
Dollop of butter

Mash berries in a saucepan and bring to the boil slowly. (I mush them up a bit, but like to leave lots of chunky berry bits - mmmmm.)
Add sugar and lemon juice, bring to the boil stirring continuously, and boil for 7 minutes.
Place a tablespoon of jam onto a saucer and refrigerate to check if the jam will set.
Turn off the heat and add the butter, stirring through thoroughly.
Bottle, but do not cover until jam has cooled. (I bought some jam jars, but I also sometimes use drinking glasses with cling wrap over the top - as long as it's refrigerated, it'll last for months.)


Megan