Strawberry Jam

[Earthbabe]

Don't know about the 11th september, ours developed grey mould a good three weeks ago (ie end of august). Maybe it's that north/south thing. Although I remember a rupert story that included the thing of september blackberries being no good. (good old daily express!) I think you've all done more jam than I have, although I did manage gooseberry, plum, blackberry and ginger jelly, strawberry and lots of pear variations. Now focussing on the chutnies and vegetable marrow curd.

AAARRRGGHHH! Suddenly realised today that in all this frenzied preserving I haven't started the Christmas cake.

[Shortie]

Oh, Earthbabe... any chanc for a recipie? I've never made a chrimbo cake and am thinking of making one this year..

[Lesley Jay]

Shortie I have a really simple christmas cake recipe that I make on December 1st. Then feed it with booze. It never fails. I'll send you a PM.

[blackkitty]

Shortie, I make about seven Christmas cakes most years and always use Delia, never a flop yet. I do add more booze when soaking the fruit though.

[Two_Sheds]

I've just made (burnt) strawberry jam:

900g strawbs (I used frozen)
800g sugar (ordinary stuff)
4 tbsp lemon juice (to set the jam)
2 large jars (400g?)
Bio laundry liquid to get the burn off bottom of pan

Get the fruit all simmered before adding the sugar and stirring well. Keep some plates in the fridge to do the wrinkle test.
When the jam reaches setting point (it will do it all of a sudden and will burn the pan too), turn it off and heat up your jars (couple mins in microwave). I sit the lids in a pan of boiling water until I need them.
Leave jam to cool a bit (20 mins), then pour into hot jars & seal the lids