Basic Jam

Name: Basic Jam
Ingredients: 2 lb. fresh fruit such as blueberries, raspberries, peeled peach slices, quartered plums, etc.; 4 cups granulated sugar (2 lb.); 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (2 lemons)

3 ingredients

16 steps

Ingredients

2 lb. fresh fruit such as blueberries, raspberries, peeled peach slices, quartered plums, etc.
4 cups granulated sugar (2 lb.)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (2 lemons)

Directions

1

Mash fruit and sugar together in large, nonreactive bowl.
2

Stir in lemon juice, and let stand 15 minutes.
3

Place 1 or 2 small white saucers in freezer.
4

Transfer fruit to nonreactive sauce-pan.
5

Simmer 5 to 15 minutes over medium-low heat, or until thickened, stirring often.
6

As jam thickens, bubbles will get larger and slower to pop.
7

Remove 1 saucer from freezer.
8

Test consistency by spooning some jam onto saucer, and returning it to freezer for 2 minutes.
9

If dollop holds together and does not have a watery ring around edges, its ready to put in jars.
10

If jam is still watery, cook 3 to 5 minutes longer.
11

Repeat testing process if necessary.
12

Remove jam from heat.
13

Ladle into 8-oz.
14

jars, leaving 1/4-inch headroom.
15

Wipe off any drips, then screw on tops.
16

Invert jars 5 minutes, or immerse in boiling water bath 10 minutes.