Classic Strawberry Jam Recipes

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring strawberries up to a simmer over medium-low heat, mashing roughly with a potato masher or flat spoon.
• Add sugar and lemon juice, stir, and bring up to a simmer for 2 minutes.
• Add butter and bring to a vigorous boil, stirring often, and cook for 10 to 20 minutes, periodically measuring the viscosity of the jam by dabbing a spoonful onto a plate and tipping the plate.
• Once the jam slows its drip down the plate (it should no longer run like a syrup), remove from heat and skim off foam.
• Fill jars that have been washed, rinsed, dried and boiled in a pot of water for 3 minutes to 1/4 inch from the top.
• Fasten lids securely and boil jars in a vat of water (be sure jars are completely submerged) for 15 minutes.
• Remove jars with tongs and let cool upright.
• Check for secure seals on jars (lid should not spring when touched) and store in a cool place away from light for up to a year.
• Any jars that do not achieve a proper seal should be refrigerated.

Steps:

• In a wide bowl, crush strawberries in batches until you have 4 cups of mashed berry. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, mix together the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high, and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil, stirring often, until the mixture reaches 220 degrees F (105 degrees C). Transfer to hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch headspace, and seal. Process in a water bath. If the jam is going to be eaten right away, don't bother with processing, and just refrigerate.

Steps:

• Wash, dry and hull the berries. If berries are large, halve them; lightly crush about 1/3 of the berries. Place the berries into a large non aluminum pot and gently fold in the sugar and the lemon juice. Cover and set aside to macerate in a cool place for several hours, or overnight.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat; then reduce heat to low and simmer for 9 to 15 minutes, stirring often with a stainless steel spoon, until jam just begins to thicken.
• Remove from the heat and let jam come to room temperature, about 1 hour, then cover and cool in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours.
• Simmer again for 9 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until jam is thickened.
• Working quickly, pour into 8 8-ounce prepared and sterilized canning jars. Fill the jars to within 1/2 inch of the top. Wipe the rim with a clean damp cloth and seal them with 1/4 inch of melted paraffin. Cool the jars overnight. Wipe and seal again if necessary. Store in a cool, dark place.

Steps:

• Prepare the strawberries by wiping them with a piece of damp kitchen paper. (Wiping the strawberries rather than washing them ensures the fruit doesn't absorb lots of water - too much water and the jam won't set easily.) To hull the fruit, use a knife to cut a cone shape into the strawberry and remove the stem. Cut any large berries in half.
• Put the strawberries in a bowl and gently toss through the sugar. Leave uncovered at room temperature for 12 hrs or overnight. This process helps the sugar to dissolve, ensures the fruit doesn't disintegrate too much and helps to keep its vibrant colour.
• Before starting the jam, put 2 saucers in the freezer. Tip the strawberry mixture into a preserving pan with the lemon juice. Set over a low heat and cook very gently. If any sugar remains on the sides of the pan, dip a pastry brush in hot water and brush the sugar away.
• When you can no longer feel any grains of sugar remaining, turn up the heat to start bubbling the jam and bringing it to the boil. (The sugar must be completely dissolved before increasing the heat, otherwise it will be difficult for the jam to set, and it may contain crystallised lumps of sugar.)
• Boil hard for 5-10 mins until the jam has reached 105C on a preserving or digital thermometer, then turn off the heat. If you don't have a thermometer, spoon a little jam onto one of the cold saucers. Leave for 30 secs, then push with your finger; if the jam wrinkles and doesn't flood to fill the gap, it is ready. If not, turn the heat back on and boil for 2 mins more, then turn off the heat and do the wrinkle test again. Repeat until ready.
• Use a spoon to skim any scum that has risen to the surface and discard this. Do this only once at the end, rather than constantly during the boiling stage, to reduce wastage.
• Add a knob of butter, if you like, to the finished jam, and stir in to melt. This will help to dissolve any remaining scum that you haven't managed to spoon off the top. Leave the jam to settle for 15 mins - this will ensure that the fruit stays suspended in the mixture and doesn't all float to the top of the jam jar. Meanwhile, sterilise your jars.
• Ladle into warm jars, filling to just below the rim. Place a wax disc on top of the jam (this prevents mildew forming), then cover with a lid or a cellophane circle and elastic band. Pop on a label (include the date), plus a pretty fabric top, if you like. The jam can be stored for up to 1 year in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate after opening.

Steps:

• Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.
• Place strawberries in a 6- or 8-quart saucepan. Gradually stir in pectin. Over high heat, bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, stirring constantly.
• Add entire measure of sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary.
• Ladle hot jam into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip-tight.
• Process in a boiling-water canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.