Runny jam

[Florence Fennel]

I've just opened a jar of the jam I made on Sunday. The strawberries remained beautifully whole, but the jam is not set. Is it too late to put it all back in the pan and reboil until set, or is this a no no?

[Flummery]

No it's not a no-no! Just make sure your jars are re-sterilised. Best of luck with the new boiling!

You could keep a jar or two back for ice-cream sauce. Lovely, running strawberry sauce. Hmmm. Wipes chin.

[chris]

I had the opposite issue last night.. making gooseberry and elderflower jam.. I erm, burnt it a bit (). By the time I went to jar it, it pretty much was set like cement! grr Tasted alright, I'm going to call it gooseberry bonfire jam or something.

I tend to prefer slightly runny jam anyway.. now I use slightly less sugar than the 1:1 ratio.

Recently we made strawberry and rhubarb, which is slightly running - tastes really good - the texture is great. Strawberry and gooseberry ( I guess due to the higher pectin levels ) is set firm.

That said, could you just call is strawberry conserve? If the fruits are whole n' everything If you sell it, stick an extra quid on the price!!

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks you two, I don't know whether to bother now! My daughter took a jar on Sunday and used it, some in a cake she made and the rest on ice-cream, so you were right there Flum!

[Florence Fennel]

Just as an aside, my MIL is expecting a jar (they do that don't they) and I know she will open it and say "this jam's not set". I might just tip her jar back into the pan

[chris]

My dad did the same, I lied at the time and said it was on purpose. Now I do prefer it slightly runny... he did come back in the end after polishing the jar off saying it was the nicest jam he'd ever had, and was asking for another jar!

[endymion]

You could always set MIL's jar by using the microwave.

[RedThorn]

I suppose adding a laxative to MIL's jar is a social fubar... drat! ( I get on very well with my MIL for the record!)

[Alison]

I like my jams in between, not too runny but not rock hard. Did some strawberry the other day which is a bit on the runny side for me but am going to keep a couple of jars of it like that for with yoghurt (it's just like the Muller corner stuff) but reboil the rest for on toast. Will be making another 2 or 3 batches of it over the next few days anyway as we have tonnes of the things this year

[Florence Fennel]

You could always set MIL's jar by using the microwave.

I'll need to google that endymion, never done it in the microwave. Nice Avatar BTW.

I suppose adding a laxative to MIL's jar is a social fubar... drat! ( I get on very well with my MIL for the record!)

Arsenic might be better. No, of course not, I get on very well with my MIL, I see her at least twice a year.

My dad did the same, I lied at the time and said it was on purpose. Now I do prefer it slightly runny... he did come back in the end after polishing the jar off saying it was the nicest jam he'd ever had, and was asking for another jar!

This thought had crossed my mind, I must admit Chris and is yet another option.

I like my jams in between, not too runny but not rock hard. Did some strawberry the other day which is a bit on the runny side for me but am going to keep a couple of jars of it like that for with yoghurt (it's just like the Muller corner stuff) but reboil the rest for on toast. Will be making another 2 or 3 batches of it over the next few days anyway as we have tonnes of the things this year

Good idea Alison, just had some on my lunchtime yoghurt and it's delish.

[ginger ninger]

I made strawberry jam with a hint of Malibu...very yummy indeed.

[chris]

*cough* shock *cough*

[VirginVegGrower]

I've just opened a jar of the jam I made on Sunday. The strawberries remained beautifully whole, but the jam is not set. Is it too late to put it all back in the pan and reboil until set, or is this a no no?

No - reboil! I do mine in my scalding hot cast iron Le Creuset - brilliant. Although Strawberry is the hardest to set firm. Personally it's a little bit nicer when it's not firm set. But you can redo it!

[VirginVegGrower]

Just as an aside, my MIL is expecting a jar (they do that don't they) and I know she will open it and say "this jam's not set". I might just tip her jar back into the pan

Make it sooooo hard it pulls her dentures out :-€

[Flummery]

Anyone - Ma in law or not - who criticised my jam would never get another jar!