Jelly Method

[Jilly]

This is more of a method than a recipe as you can use it for most fruit, Ladygardener, this is what I used for the Bramble & Raspberry jelly, WI recipe with my own comments.

1kg (2lb 4oz) fruit, I used around 3/4 kg of blackberries to 1/4 kg raspberries any more raspberries & I think they'd overpower the blackberries
1litre (1 1/4 pints) water
4 tbl of lemon juice if using low pectin fruit
Sugar, see step 3 for quantities I used jam sugar, again for the added pectin 

Step 1: Place the washed fruit in a large pan with the water & lemon juice (if using) and bring slowly to the boil. Simmer for about 30 mins, stirring and mashing fruit well.


Step 2: Strain through a jelly bag, set over a large bowl, don't be tempted to squeeze the bag as will cause the jelly to become cloudy. Leave until the dripping has stopped (several hours or preferably overnight) Now my Mum tells me that she used to do this using 2 chairs a broom handle and some muslin, but frankly unless you fancy an excuse to paint your kitchen I'd invest in a jelly bag 

Step 3: When the dripping has stopped, discard the solids in the jelly bag and carefully measure the resulting liquid. Return to preserving pan along with 450g (1lb) sugar for each 600ml (1 Pint) of liquid. Now this is fine if you end up with exactly 1 pint of liquid, but you wont. So measure liquid, try to work out quantities of liquid to dry, look up conversion table on google swear at that, have slightly heated discussion with my OH about why I didn't pay more attention in maths class, have a small gin & start again  So basically you need the exact same amount of juice to sugar.
Stir well over a low heat until sugar has dissolved completely.

Step 4: Just like jam now really, Increase the heat and boil rapidly for 10-15 minutes, before testing for set. Continue testing at 1 minute intervals as necessary, until setting point is reached.

Step 5: Remove pan from heat, skim of any scum and allow to cool briefly, pour into hot sterilized jars, seal jars and allow to cool completely before labelling.

Makes around 2 X 225ml (8fl oz) jars. 

[Ladygardener]

Thanks a lot Jilly, would it be possible to replace the Gin with a glass of good red wine 'tho.

[Jilly]

Oh I should think so Ladygardener,  . Another thing I should have mentioned, unless you're far more confident than me I would time putting the fruit through the jelly bag for when Jenny or another unsuspecting visitor is there as you really need 2 pairs of hands, even though the jelly bag has legs that clip onto the sides of the bowl I always get OH to hold it steady for me while I'm pouring.

[Ladygardener]

Oh thanks for that tip Jilly, I'll try it when Jenny and the girls are here. I'm sure the girls will enjoy helping. We made jam recently and although Aoife does'nt eat jam she enjoyed making it.