Plum Jam With Ginger And Vanilla Recipes

STONE FRUIT JAM

Steps:

• Toss fruit and sugar together in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Let sit for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight, tossing periodically to coat and to dissolve the sugar. (This will help coax the juices out of the fruit.)
• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• Bring the fruit to a strong simmer over medium heat until the skins burst and the juices start to boil, 10 to 15 minutes. If using a vanilla bean as an add-in, put it in the pot now.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the jam, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula at first and more frequently as juices thicken until most of the liquid has evaporated and the fruit has begun to break down, about 25 to 35 minutes. How much it breaks down will depend on the type of fruit and how ripe it is. (For example, peaches are likely to retain their shape, while plums and apricots will break down almost entirely.)
• As the jam cooks, the liquid reduces, the sugars thicken and the natural pectins activate. You'll notice the liquid go from a rapid, rolling boil with smaller bubbles to a slow, thick, tarlike boil with larger bubbles. This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate there, increasing the chance that the fruit will burn.) It's also the stage at which splattering may occur, so take care in stirring.
• When the jam reaches a slow, thick boil, add lemon juice and any of the add-ins (see note). Continue to cook, stirring constantly until the jam has returned to its previously thickened state, about another 5 minutes. To test the consistency, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it's not there yet, cook it a few minutes more.
• Remove from heat, and pick out vanilla bean, if you added it earlier. Divide between jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top of the jar, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them up within a couple of weeks.

PLUM AND VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Put a plate in the refrigerator for at least one hour before starting making jam. (With this plate you will check whether the jam has thickened sufficiently after cooking.)
• Sterilize the pots as described in the notes section.
• Make a bowl with ⅔ water and add ⅓ vinegar. Wash the prunes in vinegar water.
• Cut the plums in half and remove the pit.
• Put the prunes and the vanilla extract in a pan and add ⅔ cup (180 ml water).
• Bring the contents of the pan to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
• Puree the jam with a blender and strain the puree.
• Weigh the leftover puree. Add 4 cups (750 grams) of sugar for every 3 cups (1 kilo) of fruit puree.
• Bring the puree with the sugar back to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Take the plate out of the fridge, and drop a few drops of jelly on it. When the jam is done, the jelly will stiffen immediately, otherwise, you have to cook for 2 more minutes and check again (put the plate back in the cooling in between because you need a cold plate for checking).
• Pour a small bottom of jam into the jam jars (about ½ inch) (not too much else the pots can burst), wait a minute, and pour more jam until the jar is full.
• Turn the lid on the pots and put the pots bottom up.
• Allow to cool to room temperature and turn the pots upside down. They are now sterile.
• Label the jam. Jam can be stored in a sterilized jar for 6-12 months at room temperature. Once it is open, you have to keep it in the fridge and it will last for a few weeks.

PLUM-GINGER FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Using a potato masher or fork, gently crush the plums in a large bowl to release some pulp and juices while keeping the fruit chunky. Toss with the sugar, then add the ginger and lemon zest and juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Measure the volume of your fruit mixture; you should have about 6 cups.
• If your package of pectin comes with calcium powder, stir 1/4 teaspoon of the calcium powder into 1/4 cup water to dissolve. Set aside. Place the 4 1/2 teaspoons pectin in a stand blender, or have it measured and ready if using an immersion blender. Bring 1 cup water to a boil, then pour it into the stand blender and blend. (If using an immersion blender, add the pectin to the saucepan and blend.) The mixture should become very smooth and look like a soft gel. Stir the pectin mixture into the fruit until evenly combined, then stir in 4 teaspoons of the calcium water, if using. The jam should thicken and be softly set. Add the salt, stir and taste. Adjust after tasting with more teaspoons of lemon juice, if necessary, for a good balance of sweet and tart.
• Transfer to clean airtight containers, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 2 weeks before serving. Or, store in the freezer for up to 3 months; defrost completely in the refrigerator before serving.

PLUM JAM (WITH GINGER AND VANILLA)

Steps:

• Divide each plum in half, taking the stones out. Transfer the fruit in a large heavy-based saucepan.
• Pour the water and the lemon juice, add the sugar, rice malt syrup, vanilla and ginger and toss. Let the fruit stand there for a couple of hours, then start cooking over medium heat, stirring now and then.
• When the plums start to soften, change heat to low and simmer for around 40 minutes, or until the jam has thickened. Stir constantly to keep the jam from sticking to the saucepan.
• When the jam has reached setting point, pour it into individual, clean sterilized jars. Let cool before covering each jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store in a very cool and dark place.

PLUM-VANILLA PRESERVES

Steps:

• Start with our step-by-step canning how-to.
• Put the plums, sugar, vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks in a large, wide saucepan. Squeeze the lemon juice through a strainer into the pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy or deep-fry thermometer registers 220 degrees F, about 30 minutes. (To be sure that the mixture has reached the gel point, spoon some onto a chilled plate and put in the freezer until cool. The liquid should set; if not, continue to cook and retest after a few more minutes.) Remove the pan from the heat and let cool 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sterilize four 8-ounce canning jars and lids.
• Return the plum mixture to medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring, then add the plumcots. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the plumcots are tender, about 5 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
• Fill the jars with the plum mixture, leaving 1/2 inch headspace, then seal and process.

PLUM & GINGER JAM RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut all of the plums into halves and remove the stones. Add everything to a large saucepan and mix in the white sugar. Cover with a lid and leave for few hours (or overnight, if you like)
• Add the ginger and juice from one lemon.
• Place the saucepan on a low to medium heat and gently stir the jam until the sugar has dissolved completely.
• Once the sugar has dissolved, raise the heat slightly and bring the jam to a boil for around ten minutes, or until the jam starts to get thicker.
• Take the saucepan off the heat and test the jam to see if reached its setting point. The way to do this is to put a small teaspoon of the jam on a cold plate and if in about five minutes the jam firms up, its ready to be potted.
• If the testing jam hasn't firmed up in 5 minutes on the plate, put the whole saucepan back onto the medium heat and continue boiling for another 5 minutes. Repeat the test and pot up when ready.

EASY PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Sterilise the jars and any other equipment before you start (see tip). Put a couple of saucers in the freezer, as you'll need these for testing whether the jam is ready later (or use a sugar thermometer). Put the plums in a preserving pan and add 200ml water. Bring to a simmer, and cook for about 10 mins until the plums are tender but not falling apart. Add the sugar, ground cinnamon and lemon juice, then let the sugar dissolve slowly, without boiling. This will take about 10 mins.
• Increase the heat and bring the jam to a full rolling boil. After about 5 mins, spoon a little jam onto a cold saucer. Wait a few seconds, then push the jam with your fingertip. If it wrinkles, the jam is ready. If not, cook for a few mins more and test again, with another cold saucer. If you have a sugar thermometer, it will read 105C when ready.
• Take the jam off the heat and add the cinnamon sticks (if using) and the knob of butter. The cinnamon will look pretty in the jars and the butter will disperse any scum. Let the jam cool for 15 mins, which will prevent the lumps of fruit sinking to the bottom of the jars. Ladle into hot jars, seal and leave to cool. Will keep for 1 year in a cool, dark place. Chill once opened.

PLUM VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Bring all ingredients to a boil in a large pot, mashing with a potato masher.
• Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is the consistency of very thick honey, about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove plum skin if desired. Discard vanilla bean and zest. Do not strain; jam should be chunky.
• Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 month.

GINGERED PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a heavy large pot; stir to combine.
• Attach a jelly thermometer to side of pan or place a small plate in freezer to chill for testing jam.
• Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, adjusting heat as needed to maintain an even boil; boil for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
• After 15 minutes of cooking check temperature on thermometer or test small portion of jam on chilled plate, return plate to freezer for 1 to 2 minutes, remove and run finger through sample. When the jam is set you can pull your finger through it and it doesn't run back together. During testing, remove jam from heat.
• As jam sets you will be able to see the bottom of the pot when stirring. The temperature should be about 221 degrees F.
• Pour the hot jam into 4 sterilized 8-ounce jars, carefully wiping jar rims; cover with lids and screw bands.
• Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes, remove from water bath, allow to cool; check seal.

BLACK PLUM & GINGER JAM (WITHOUT PECTIN)

Steps:

• Place the chopped plums, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, ginger and salt in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, pressing down on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Reserve the solids.
• Return the strained juices to the sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Boil until a candy thermometer reads 220 degrees (the gel stage). Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the reserved solids.
• Transfer the jam to sterile jars, or freeze whatever jam you don't intend to use right away.
• Enjoy!

PLUM JAM WITH LIME AND GINGER

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in pot and bring to a boil.
• Boil rapidly to almost the jelling point.
• This will be where you are stirring as it is still boiling for 15 minutes.
• As it thickens make sure to stir so not to burn.
• Ladle into sterilized jars leaving 1/4 inch head space.
• Process 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.

PLUM VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Bring all ingredients to a boil in a large stockpot, mashing with a potato masher. Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is the consistency of very thick honey, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove plum skin if desired. Discard vanilla bean and zest. Do not strain; jam should be chunky.

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.