Some Strawberries And Some Sugar

One of the things I have wanted to try for ages is jam making. 

 My lovely daughters gave me a jam making set for my birthday last year and I'm ashamed to say I never used it. 

But on Saturday I changed that!!!

I bought some strawberries and jam sugar and had a go.

I thought I'd blog about it so that in years to come  (when I'm really good a jam making lol) I can look back at this blog and see where I started.

 Well,  I bought my Preserving Book a couple of years ago (I seem to plan well in advance don't I) and I have to say it is a really good book with lots of lovely mouth watering recipes.

The ingredients needed are

1kg (2 1/4 lbs)  hulled strawberries 

6 tablespoons lemon juice

900kg (2lb) jam sugar

Who would have thought just these 3 three ingredients could make something so tasty!!!

 So, off I went and bought my strawberries - don't they look tasty?

 And I couldn't resist doing a close up shot!!!

Lemon Juice

 Sugar

Pop strawberries and lemon juice into the jam pan and heat gently until strawberries are soft - about 5 minutes..

Add sugar to the pan and heat gently, stirring until sugar is all dissolved. Then turn up the heat  and bring to the boil. When it reaches a rolling boil cook for around 15 minutes until setting point has been reached.

I used a jam thermometer and the temp should be 220F (105C) . Remove pan from heat and check for a set.

I used a cold saucer and put a spoonful of the jam mixture on the saucer, let it cool and pushed with my finger. If it is separates it is set.

I then let it cool slightly and poured it into jars.

Well pleased with myself  :) - 'cause it looked really, really good.

Here are my jars with my fancy labels (and smudged writing as well).

Well on Sunday I made some bread and toasted it. I got out my lovely jam and stuck the knife into it.

Problem - definitely not spreadable. 

So I had lumps of jam instead of a lovely spread. I can only gather that I let it boil too much. 

Any expert jam makers out there agree with that or have any idea what the problem would be?

It does taste delicious though :))

I am going to try again - I will NOT be beaten lol.

Sharing my jammy tale today with

Deb

with

 

and

Nancy at A Rural Journal 

with