I love Strawberry Jam

We have had a glut of strawberries in the veggie patch this year, down to the fact that we put up a fruit cage at the end of last season. It has made such a difference to the quantities of fruit that we are picking. The redcurrants are nearly ready and the raspberries are well on the way! Faced with such a lot of strawberries I thought I would make some jam. I've never had much luck with strawberry, much preferring the easier to make( I thought ) raspberry jam. I always found myself fiddling around with lemons trying to get the pectin levels right only to be disappointed by the end result. Usually a thin red liquid that would not set! Well no more! I bought some jam sugar, followed the very simple recipe on the back of the packet and ' Bob's your uncle' as they say. Lovely thick, scrummy strawberry jam.

And yes I know that the label has oranges on it but I've run out of the strawberry ones! So if you want an easy jam recipe care of Mr Tate and Mr Lyle I suggest that you buy yourself some jam sugar at your local shop, it took me all of half an hour to make from start to finish! I also like the fact that there is an element of recycling in the process in that I am using all my old jars collected throughout the year. Also I did not have to buy my strawberries and they were not sprayed with any chemicals. Bliss!

I recently bought this eiderdown from Clare's lovely shop Vintage Home.  I have been searching for an eiderdown just like this for such a long time and finally it's mine! Well sort of, as you can see Neville has taken quite a fancy to it!!

Edit to this post

For Marie

Strawberry jam recipe

1 kg/2.lbs Strawberries fresh or frozen

1kg/2.2lbs Tate and Lyle Jam Sugar

Method

1. Hull and wash the strawberries and drain well.

2. Put in a preserving pan and and mash or crush.

3. If using frozen fruit they will be soft when thawed anyway.

4. Add the Tate and Lyle Jam Sugar and stir until dissolved, then bring to the boil.

5. When a vigorous boil is achieved ( rises and cannot be stirred down), boil for at least a further 4 minutes until setting point is reached. If using a jam thermometer boiling temperature is 105 C /220 F. (Have to confess I never use one!)

6. Test for a set by putting a little jam on a cold saucer or plate ( I left mine in the freezer for 5 mins) allow to cool then push a finger gently through the jam. If the surface of the jam wrinkles, setting point has been reached. I tend to go away and leave it for a couple of mins then check the set as I often find I think it isn't ready, boil it all up again and get a hard jam - not nice! Also remove the jam from the heat while you are testing so you don't overboil the jam!

7. Remove from the heat, skim off any scum. Leave to stand for 15-20 mins. Stir the strawberries through the jam and put into warmed jars, cover, label and date.

8. Enjoy!

Comments

[Kim]

I love strawberry jam and home made is the best! Isn't it funny how cats just know the best places to sit. Lovely eiderdown.
Kim

[Renee]

mmm that sounds good!

[Tash]

We got married around this time last year (almost our anniversary - how time is flying!) and we bought local strawberries to make huge amounts of Eton Mess. Any of the 30-odd punnets left over were frozen and on returning home from the honeymoon I made Wedding Strawberry Jam - using a bit of redcurrants from next door to help it set. I must admit it is not only sentimentally pleasing, but tasted so wonderful I'll be makiing some this year too :)

One of my other favourite jams is rhubarb and ginger - this Spring our neighbours provided the rhubarb and I got going. Again absolute bliss on a slice of toast!

[beachy]

I can't wait to try Eton Mess! Your strawberry jam looks so yummy, too!

The eiderdown is just lovely (I think your Neville has claimed it).

I am glad you are happy with those earrings! Have a lovely weekend. =)

[Sue]

I hardly dare admit to the fact that I've reached the age I have and never made jam! Or maybe I did ... just once ... about 30 years ago. It obviously wasn't a great success!

Lucky Neville!
Sue x

[blueberryhillblog]

Yum - looks wonderful. Love the Aga too!
I keep thinking that I'd like to go berry-picking this summer but just not sure how to squeeze it in right now. Maybe it will have to wait til blackberry time.

[Mari-Nanci]

I don't know which looks more delicious.... the jam or the eiderdown quilt!

Mari-Nanci

[Mari-Nanci]

Thank you for asking about our Roses. My husband loves 'Old Roses' and that's what we have now. I've tried to photograph the white ones, but not with much luck. But others {colored ones} will be coming out soon. And I'll be sure to picture them.

I'll be putting them in my Seasons Snapshots blog too.

Mari-Nanci

[Mari-Nanci]

My Seasons Snapshots blog is at....

http://seasons-snapshots.blogspot.com/

Mari-Nanci

[marie]

Your strawberry jam looks delicious - could you share the recipe for those of us who don't hava access to a bag of Tate & Lyle's?

I love your Aga - I dream of one day owning one in a cosy kitchen.

Marie x

[Sophiehoneysuckle]

Lovely eiderdown with Neville on top!!!

[OhSoVintage]

I have never made jam, ever. Can you believe that? You are so lucky to have so much fruit to hand. Some of us have to go to 'Pick you own' farms but it's not the same as growing your own.

[Clare]

Hi Jane,

Neville looks beautiful sat on the eiderdown - I'm so pleased he likes it!

Your jar of strawberry jam has made my mouth water!

Do you know, I have never made jam either! However, we planted some raspberry canes a couple of years ago so perhaps in a year or so's time...!

Clare x

[Alison]

Strawberry jam and ggoodies from Clare...perfect.
Alison x
P.S. I will have to check her site out more regularly as I have missed TWO pieces of foxglove china.

[Nicole]

You are going to be so glad you made that lovely strawberry jam!

[marie]

Hi Jane, Thanks for the recipe! It was sweet of you to edit the post to include it. Hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

Marie x

[carolyn]

Home made strawberry jam is so much nicer than bought, lucky you having a glut of strawberries.