Mcp Fresh Apricot Pineapple Jam Recipes

APRICOT PINEAPPLE JAM WITH PECTIN RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Water bath canning pot and rack. Clean jars, lids and rims. Clean towels, long tongs and a jar lifter (or tongs with rubber grips) Pot of water for metal lids and rims. Bowl of ice water (to remove apricot skins) PREPARE THE APRICOTS: To easily remove apricot skins, cut a small "x" at the bottom of each fruit. Gently dunk into a pot of boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Remove, with a slotted spoon. Starting with the "x", peel the skins off by sliding with your thumbs. It's that easy! UPDATE: I found a faster way to peel apricots. Cut them in half, pit them and place them (face down) onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Cut an "X" on top of each apricot, with a knife. With the rack on it's highest position, broil for 5-6 minutes. Remove, allow to cool until safe to hold in your hand. Grab the skin on the "x" and pull off. Easy! Using a food processor (or by hand, if you prefer), pulse the apricots until they are chunky smooth-- not pureed. You want bits of apricot for texture. Strain the apricots and reserve the juice. PREPARE THE PINEAPPLE: NOTE: I used fresh pineapple. You could try canned, but I think fresh pineapple tastes the best. Trim the pineapple by removing the top, cutting off the shell and then cutting into quarters. Removing the core, is easier. I like to use my food processor, but you can cut the pineapple, by hand. I pulse the cut pineapple until it's fine but not pureed. Strain the pineapple, reserving the juice with the apricot juice. I ended up with about 3/4 cups juice. In a large pot, add the fruit, box of pectin and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Combine and bring to a low boil. Slowly stir in the remaining sugar. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved juice. Bring to a continuous roll, stirring frequently, so it doesn't stick. Bring to a gel stage (approximately 10 minutes). I like to chill a plate in my freezer. Spoon a little of the cooked fruit on the cold plate. Run your finger through it, and see if it separates. Let is sit a minute more and feel the texture. If it gels, it's ready. Pour into sterilized clean class jars with lids. Set the filled jars in a rack, covered by at least 2" of boiling water. Keep the pot covered and set a timer for 10 minutes, from when the water begins to rapidly boil. Remove from the pot, carefully, with a jar lifter onto a clean towel. Listen for the "pop" of the vacuum on the lids...and/or press a finger on the top. If it's firm, you have a good vacuum. If a jar is not sealed, properly, you can repeat the water bath boil method, or refrigerate this jar and eat within 2 weeks.

APRICOT PINEAPPLE FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• 1. Wash containers and lids in hot soapy water. Dry thoroughly and set aside. I use 1 cup plastic containers or jelly sized jars.
• 2. Pit and finely chop unpeeled apricots. Measure exactly 1 1/2 cups into a bowl. Add pineapple with juice and lemon juice. Mix well. Stir in sugar and let stand 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
• 3. Mix water and pectin in small pan and bring to boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Add to fruit and stir for 3 minutes or until sugar is all dissolved.
• 4. Immediately fill containers to 1/2 inch from top. Cover with lids and let stand for 24 hours.
• 5. Jam will keep for 3 weeks in the refrigerator or for 1 year in the freezer.

ANYTIME APRICOT/PINEAPPLE FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• 1. First: clean and wash your jars your using in hot soapy water and let dry thoroughly. Get together all ingredients as once you get started, it all goes pretty fast.
• 2. Chop your drained apricots to small chunk sizes. If some come out mashed, its ok. It will all taste good. Important: Measure exactly 1 &1/2 cups of the chopped apricots and add it into a bowl for mixing ( you will have some of the canned fruit left over but you can use it for something else)
• 3. Add the can of pineapple with the juice into the bowl with the apricots. Add the lemon juice to the bowl. Mix well.
• 4. Stir in the sugar and let stand for 10 minutes. It is important you let it stand. Stir it occasionally.
• 5. Mix the water and the pectin in a small pan and bring it to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Once it boils, let it boil for 1 minute. Take off the stove and pour it into the bowl with the fruit mixture. Stir in well so that all the sugar is dissolved and mixed. It will start to thicken. Immediately fill your jars to about a half inch from the top. Clean off your jars with a clean wet cloth - especially around the top outside rings so that the lid does not get stuck when you go to open the jar. Apply the lids. Let the jars stand on a counter or table for 24 hours. Then put in the freezer to keep. When you take a jar out, let it thaw in the refrigerator, stir it the first time you open it and enjoy!
• 6. Note**** I learned through the Cooks Cooking show that for jams or jellies, it is best to use bottled lemon juice rather than fresh lemon juice because of the acidity of fresh lemons can not be known as it varies for each lemon so it is best to use the bottled version.