Microwavegingerplumjam Recipes

MICROWAVE GINGER PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Place plums and sugar in a deep 8-cup microwavable container.
• Stir in lemon juice.
• Microwave, uncovered on High for 7 minutes, stirring twice.
• Add ginger; microwave, uncovered on High for 15 to 18 minutes or until mixture will form a gel, stirring every 4 minutes.
• Ladle into sterilized jars and use the inversion method or water bath for 10 minutes.

MICROWAVE PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Place sugar, lemon juice and plums in a deep 8 cup microwavable container (I use a pyrex measure).
• Microwave, uncovered on High for 2 1/2 minutes, stir. REPEAT twice more.
• Microwave, uncovered, on High 15 - 18 minutes, STIRRING every 4 minutes until it will form a gel.
• Ladle into hot sterilized jars. Wipe rims, remove any air bubbles, add hot lids and rings.
• Process 5 minutes in boiling water bath.

PLUM AND GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Halve the plums, remove the stone and place the plum halves into a large ceramic bowl. Save 10 to 12 plum stones and discard the rest.
• Sprinkle the plum halves with 4 tablespoons of the sugar.
• Cover with a tea cloth and put to one side for 2 hours at room temperature, or preferably overnight in the fridge if you have the time. After a few hours, you will see the sugar has melted and the plums have rendered up plenty of juice. When this happens it is time to make the jam.
• Place all the plums, the juices, the remaining sugar, and the ginger, if using, into a large, heavy-bottomed or preserving pan. Place over medium heat and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Raise the heat until the jam begins to bubble and boil the mixture for approximately 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes to avoid the sugars sticking to the sides of the pan.
• Put a clean saucer or tea plate into the freezer.
• Crack the shells of the pits and remove the tiny kernels inside.
• Place the kernels in a teacup and cover with boiling water for 1 minute.
• Strain the kernels; the skin should come away from the kernel easily. Reserve.
• After the jam has boiled for 10 minutes, take the saucer or plate from the freezer, take a small spoonful of the jam and place onto the saucer. Pop it into the fridge for 5 minutes. Push the edge of the jam on the saucer and if it "wrinkles" the jam is ready. If not, continue to boil on high heat. Repeat the jam setting test until the jam shows "wrinkles" when pushed.
• Once the jam is ready, turn off the heat but do not remove from burner. Leave it to stand for approximately 10 minutes.
• Take your hot, sterilized jam jars one by one and, using a jug and a funnel, carefully fill to the neck of the jar.
• Once all the jars are filled, divide the kernels between the jars.
• Cover the surface of the jam in the jar with a wax disc-this will help prevent mold forming during storage. Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid or a cellophane disc secured with an elastic band. Leave to cool.

GINGER PLUM JAM

Steps:

• If you plan to process the jam, prepare and sterilize jars and lids. You can find directions at my post Home Canning (Boiling Water Method) or at the National Center for Home Food Preservation website.
• In the microwave safe pan, cook the chopped plums, sugar, and lemon juice on HIGH for 7 minutes, stirring twice during cooking.
• Add the chopped ginger, stir, and cook on HIGH for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes. The mixture should form a gel.
• Ladle into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headroom. Process for 10 minutes in the prepared boiling water canner. Or you can freeze the jam if desired. Will keep unprocessed in the refrigerator for about 3 weeks.

PLUM FREEZER JAM WITH CARDAMOM AND GINGER

Steps:

• Bring plums and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan, then reduce heat to low and simmer until plums begin to soften and liquid is reduced by about half, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely grate ginger, then squeeze juice into a small bowl; discard pulp.
• Combine sugar and pectin in a large bowl. Add plum mixture, lemon juice, pepper, cardamom, and 1 tsp. ginger juice (discard any remaining juice), then stir constantly for about 3 minutes to activate pectin. Using a potato masher or fork, break up any large plum pieces, then let cool at least 30 minutes.
• Ladle jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2" from the top to allow for expansion. Cover and chill.
• Do Ahead
• Jam can be made and chilled for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 1 year.

MCP PLUM FREEZER JAM RECIPE

Steps:

• Rinse clean plastic containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly.
• Pit and finely chop or grind unpeeled plums. Measure exactly 3 cups prepared fruit into large bowl. Add lemon juice; mix well.
• Stir pectin into prepared fruit in bowl. Let stand 30 min., stirring every 5 min. Gradually add sugar, stirring after each addition until well blended. Stir additional 3 min. or until most of the sugar is dissolved and no longer grainy. (A few sugar crystals may remain.)
• Fill all containers immediately to within 1/2 inch of tops. Wipe off top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours. Jam is now ready to use. Store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks or freeze extra containers up to 1 year. If frozen, thaw in refrigerator before using.