Homemade Strawberry Jam Sugar Reduced Strawberry Jam Recipes

SUGAR FREE STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Chop the strawberries and place them in a saucepan together with the water.
• Bring to the boil (lid on), then turn down the heat medium and let it bubble away for 15 minutes. Only add the lemon juice if you want to store the jam for longer than 1 week - it prevents the growth of bacteria.
• Mash the strawberries with a potato masher (or with a fork), then continue to cook on low-medium for another 30 minutes until reduced by half. You want it to bubble peacefully. Bubbles will become smaller as the liquid evaporates. Stir regularly with a spatula to prevent the jam from burning. Towards the end of cooking, stir constantly.
• Taste. If necessary, sweeten with 1 tbsp of powdered erythritol.
• Add the ground chia seeds and stir. Cool and fill into a sterilised jar. Store in the fridge.

HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY JAM (SUGAR REDUCED STRAWBERRY JAM)

Steps:

• Weigh the strawberries AFTER they have been hulled to make sure you have 2 lbs of ripe strawberry flesh. DO NOT DISCARD THE STRAWBERRY TOPS.
• Peel and grate the apples if you prefer not to taste the apples or have apple pieces in your jam. Alternatively, cut the apples into 1 cm cubes.
• Place all the ingredients in a big pot and stir. Then leave it aside for about 15 minutes.
• Stir the strawberries over low - medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the jam to a boil. Stir frequently.
• Cook the strawberries until the mix thickens and bubbles (about 40 minutes, depending on your stove and pot that you use, make sure not to leave the jam unattended as the sugar can burn very quickly). Stir frequently to prevent the jam from burning.
• The sugar should reach a temperature of 220°F, but I prefer to check if the jam is ready with the jam test (see below).
• Jam test - place a few small saucers or small flat bowls in the freezer. When the jam looks ready, place a small amount of the jam on the cold saucer/bowl and freeze for 5 - 10 minutes. Next, run your finger through the jam to make a streak. If the jam does not join back up in the middle and fill the streak, then it's ready!
• Place the jam in glass bottles, close tightly and refrigerate. These would be suitable for canning as well (although I don't can, so I'm not entirely sure how to can these).
• Makes about 2 ½ - 3 cups.

LOW SUGAR / NO SUGAR STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Prepare waterbath canner, jars and lids according to manufacturers instructions, if preserving. Prepare and measure ingredients for recipe.
• Combine prepared fruit with fruit juice in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in Ball® RealFruit™ Low or No-Sugar Needed Pectin
• Add sugar, sugar substitute or honey, if using. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary.
• Ladle hot jam into hot jars, one at a time, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars. Apply bands and adjust to fingertip tight.
• Place filled jars in canner ensuring jars are covered by 1 to 2 inches of water. Place lid on canner. Bring water to gentle, steady boil.
• Process jars for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude*. Turn off heat, remove lid and let jars stand for 5 minutes.
• Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed. Clean and store according to manufacturers instructions.

STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Prepare the strawberries by wiping them with a piece of damp kitchen paper. (Wiping the strawberries rather than washing them ensures the fruit doesn't absorb lots of water - too much water and the jam won't set easily.) To hull the fruit, use a knife to cut a cone shape into the strawberry and remove the stem. Cut any large berries in half.
• Put the strawberries in a bowl and gently toss through the sugar. Leave uncovered at room temperature for 12 hrs or overnight. This process helps the sugar to dissolve, ensures the fruit doesn't disintegrate too much and helps to keep its vibrant colour.
• Before starting the jam, put 2 saucers in the freezer. Tip the strawberry mixture into a preserving pan with the lemon juice. Set over a low heat and cook very gently. If any sugar remains on the sides of the pan, dip a pastry brush in hot water and brush the sugar away.
• When you can no longer feel any grains of sugar remaining, turn up the heat to start bubbling the jam and bringing it to the boil. (The sugar must be completely dissolved before increasing the heat, otherwise it will be difficult for the jam to set, and it may contain crystallised lumps of sugar.)
• Boil hard for 5-10 mins until the jam has reached 105C on a preserving or digital thermometer, then turn off the heat. If you don't have a thermometer, spoon a little jam onto one of the cold saucers. Leave for 30 secs, then push with your finger; if the jam wrinkles and doesn't flood to fill the gap, it is ready. If not, turn the heat back on and boil for 2 mins more, then turn off the heat and do the wrinkle test again. Repeat until ready.
• Use a spoon to skim any scum that has risen to the surface and discard this. Do this only once at the end, rather than constantly during the boiling stage, to reduce wastage.
• Add a knob of butter, if you like, to the finished jam, and stir in to melt. This will help to dissolve any remaining scum that you haven't managed to spoon off the top. Leave the jam to settle for 15 mins - this will ensure that the fruit stays suspended in the mixture and doesn't all float to the top of the jam jar. Meanwhile, sterilise your jars.
• Ladle into warm jars, filling to just below the rim. Place a wax disc on top of the jam (this prevents mildew forming), then cover with a lid or a cellophane circle and elastic band. Pop on a label (include the date), plus a pretty fabric top, if you like. The jam can be stored for up to 1 year in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate after opening.