Nigella's Chilli Jam Query

[vikkib]

Just made my first batch of this and I'm sooooo excited! It looks beautiful!

Definitely going to try boiling for a bit less time with the next batch to make a drizzle sauce as suggested by Zaz on another thread.

Just one query - the recipe says to dissolve the jam sugar in the vinegar without stirring. does anyone know why it's not to be stirred?

[rustylady]

No idea, sorry.

[OverWyreGrower]

Think it's to do with the clarity of the jelly when it's finished - I make a super hot version of this that I sell - and I always stir it to dissolve it... my Hot Chilli Jelly sells out at nearly every event I do!

[vikkib]

I had to give it a stir in the end just to see if it had dissolved or not... that and I'm pretty darn impatient and like a good stir!

It was all I could do to not stir it while it was cooling down!

The little Facing Heaven chillies I used in this batch have given it a pretty hot kick, that combined with me not entirely succeeding to de-seed the chillies.

[OverWyreGrower]

I use over 250g of Scotch Bonnets in mine, and I do leave some seeds in

Made some with the same amount of Naga's in and it made someone go temporarily blind (and they loved it!)

[vikkib]

I use over 250g of Scotch Bonnets in mine, and I do leave some seeds in

Made some with the same amount of Naga's in and it made someone go temporarily blind (and they loved it!)

Awesome!

[binley100]

You need to stir to dissolve sugar else it may stick to bottom of pan and burn or crystallize.....If it says chilli then people expect to to have a good kick and will complain if it hasn't . I've given up faffing about removing seeds .....

[vikkib]

You need to stir to dissolve sugar else it may stick to bottom of pan and burn or crystallize.....If it says chilli then people expect to to have a good kick and will complain if it hasn't . I've given up faffing about removing seeds .....

I'm liking all of this!

I get to stir to my heart's content and not faff with de-seeding?!

Win win!

[binley100]

once the sugar has dissolved (over a low heat) then whack the heat right up and step away from the spoon.....DO NOT STIR......you need it to come up to temp as soon as . When it's been at a full rolling boil (can't see for bubbles) for the time stated then you may dip a spoon in to test for a set. Chilli jam doesn't have to be a solid set anyway .........

[vikkib]

once the sugar has dissolved (over a low heat) then whack the heat right up and step away from the spoon.....DO NOT STIR......you need it to come up to temp as soon as . When it's been at a full rolling boil (can't see for bubbles) for the time stated then you may dip a spoon in to test for a set. Chilli jam doesn't have to be a solid set anyway .........

Perfect! Those are the kind of instructions I need, I guess I like to know why I'm to do or not to do something!

Have to say... I'm very pleased with the result so far...



Very tempted to try making 'proper' jam now... I've got some strawberries from the plot in the freezer!

[Buleste]

I've always stirred and never deseeded, added things, mucked about with the recipe and tbh it's a never miss recipe and as with all really good recipes it's a guide not a rule. I saw play and have fun.

[zazen999]

Everyone I have ever given this to loves it.

[SarzWix]

I thought 'Jam sugar' only needed to be boiled for 4 minutes to get a set, not 10?!

[vikkib]

I thought 'Jam sugar' only needed to be boiled for 4 minutes to get a set, not 10?!

To be honest I didn't check the instructions on the pack just followed the recipe. Would be good to know how long to boil for to get a pouring sauce... especially if it's less than 4 minutes!

[SarzWix]

Just looked at the packet and it says "4 MINUTES ONLY at a rolling boil" with the capitals in bold!