Apricotcitruspreserves Recipes

APRICOT PRESERVES

Steps:

• Select good clean apricots. Wash then, cut in two, and take out the stone, pull out any stem, it could be cut, but shouldn't need to be.
• Put them into a saucepan or soup pot. Add enough water, to just have them float, or be barely covered.
• Season them with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon.
• Bring to the simmer, and cook, covered until they are quite tender, but not falling apart, 20-25 minutes approximately.
• Do one of two things, purée the apricots, with their water, in a food processor, in batches, or mash with a masher, for a chunkier consistency.
• In either case, measure or weigh, the pulp, and add back to it, in the pan, an equal volume of sugar.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, and cook until the mixture is set, 212-220 degrees f, on a candy thermometer.
• Bottle and process for 7 minutes.
• Enjoy.

APRICOT-CITRUS PRESERVES

Steps:

• Combine the apricots, raisins, oranges and lemon (both zest and juice), coriander, cinnamon, wine and water in a bowl; toss to combine thoroughly; leave overnight.
• The next day, put the fruit and liquid into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer; simmer gently until the fruit is very tender, about 1 hour; add sugar and bring to a fast boil; boil about 12-18 minutes, or until a small amount of the fruit liquid, dropped onto a saucer and allowed to cool, wrinkles when your run your finger through it (this shows that the jam will 'set' once cool); stir in cashews, if using, and almond extract.
• You can put up the preserves in canning jars in the usual way, or just keep refrigerated.