Elderflower Jam Tassies Recipes

ELDERFLOWER JELLY (OR JAM) RECIPE

Steps:

• Soak: Shake the flowers over the sink to remove any insects or dust. Place in a large bowl and cover with the juice. Cover the bowl and let it stand in a cool place for 24 hours (not in the fridge).
• Preparations: Place a small plate in the freezer; you will need it to check if the jelly is set. Sterilize the jars and lids and place them upside down on a clean kitchen towel.
• Mix: Strain the flavored juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pot. Add the lemon juice. Mix the sugar and pectin in a small bowl. (See note). Whisk the sugar-pectin mixture into the juice in the pot.
• Cook: Bring to a boil while stirring often. Once the mixture comes to a full boil, cook for 4 minutes while stirring continuously.
• Check: Remove the pot from the heat. Pour a few drops of jelly on the plate you had in the freezer. If they set almost immediately, the jelly is ready. If they remain very liquid after one minute, boil the jelly for another minute and check again, it should be fine now, don't overcook it, or it will become too solid.
• Transfer: Pour the jelly into the sterilized jars. It is preferable to use a jam funnel; it makes filling more manageable and safer (Amazon affiliate link). Seal the jars and let them cool before moving.
• Store in a dark, cool place, like a cellar or pantry. It will keep for at least 6 months and up to 1 year. Once you open a jar, keep it refrigerated and consume within 2-3 weeks.

ELDERFLOWER JAM TASSIES

Steps:

• Beat together butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Working in batches, roll dough into 1-inch balls, and press into bottom and up sides of buttered mini-muffin tins to form shells. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated as you work.)
• Bake shells, pressing down centers halfway through, until golden, 26 to 28 minutes. Transfer tins to a wire rack, and let cool for 10 minutes. Gently turn out shells; let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, heat jam in a saucepan over medium heat to loosen. Stir in liqueur. Let cool.
• Spoon jam into shells just before serving.

STRAWBERRY-ELDERFLOWER JAM

Steps:

• Combine the strawberries, sugar, vinegar and salt in a medium saucepan or Dutch oven. Toss well and let stand until the strawberries are juicy and the sugar is moistened, about 20 minutes.
• Add the elderflower liqueur to the pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer; cook, stirring and skimming off any foam, until the juices become glossy, thick and syrupy and the fruit is very soft, 25 to 30 minutes. If the berries are still in large pieces after about 20 minutes, gently mash with a rubber spatula or potato masher. Remove from the heat and let the jam cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.
• Transfer the jam to a jar or other airtight container. Refrigerate until cold and fully jelled, at least 2 hours. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

GOOSEBERRY & ELDERFLOWER JAM

Steps:

• Tip the gooseberries into a large saucepan or preserving pan with 300ml water. Cook over a low heat for about 15 mins, stirring occasionally, until the fruit has broken down into a soupy purée.
• Add the sugar and cook over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved, then turn up the heat as high as it will go and boil everything for 10 mins, stirring the bottom to make sure the jam doesn't burn and skimming any scum off when it appears. If you have a jam or digital thermometer, the optimum temperature for the jam to set is 105C, but anything around 104C will be fine.
• Do the wrinkle test (see tip) on a frozen saucer to make sure it's set, then add the elderflower cordial and leave to cool before decanting your jam into sterilised jars.

ELDERFLOWER APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Inspect 6 half-pint jars for cracks and rings for rust, discard any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jelly is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Place elderflower umbels into a plastic or glass bowl. Pour apple cider on top so the flowers are fully immersed. Weigh down flowers with a small plate if necessary. Cover and let sit in the fridge for 24 hours.
• Place a small plate in the freezer. Line a colander with two layers of cheesecloth and strain the juice into a large heavy pot. Add the sugar and heat slowly, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the pectin and bring to a full boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove the pot from the heat.
• Remove the plate from the freezer and spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the hot jelly on the plate. Tilt the plate back and forth and wait for a few seconds; if the jelly sets, it has the right consistency. If jelly remains liquid, return pot to the heat, add citric acid and boil for 30 more seconds. Repeat the jelling test. Skim off any foam with a ladle or a large spoon.
• Pack jelly into the prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and tightly screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Let rest for 24 hours without moving the jars. Gently press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

ELDERFLOWER ORANGE JELLY

Steps:

• Place elderflower umbels into a plastic or glass bowl. Pour orange juice on top so the flowers are fully immersed. Weigh down flowers with a small plate if necessary. Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Place a small plate in the freezer. Line a colander with 2 layers of cheesecloth and strain orange juice into a large, heavy pot. Add the sugar and heat slowly, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the pectin and bring to a full boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove the pot from the heat.
• Inspect 6 half-pint jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jelly is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Remove the plate from the freezer and spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the hot jelly on the plate. Tilt the plate back and forth and wait for a few seconds; if the jelly sets, it has the right consistency. If jelly remains liquid, return pot to the heat, add citric acid, and boil for 30 more seconds. Repeat the jelling test. Skim off any foam with a ladle or a large spoon.
• Pack jelly into the prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and tightly screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Let rest for 24 hours without moving the jars. Gently press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.