Fresh Basil Jelly Recipes

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water and basil to a boil. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Strain and discard basil. Return 3-2/3 cups liquid to the pan. Stir in pectin and, if desired, food coloring. Return to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in sugar. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; skim off foam., Ladle hot liquid into hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 15 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

Steps:

• 1. Combine basil leaves, vinegar & lemon juice in a large, nonreactive saucepan for 15 minutes. While basil is mixture is resting, prepare jars.
• 2. Add water and food coloring to basil mixture. Heat until just beginning to boil. Add sugar all at once and stir to dissolve sugar. Bring to a hard boil that cannot be stirred down.
• 3. Quickly add the pectin (I snip open the packets in advance and have them standing in a coffee mug nearby). Return to a hard boil that cannot be stirred down. Boil for one minute.
• 4. Remove from heat. Using a slotted spoon, remove and discard basil leaves. Fill jars and wipe rims. Add lids and tighten to finger-tip tight. Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• 5. Remove and set out of direct sunlight for 12 hours. Check jars for seal. Refrigerate or reprocess unsealed jars. Store sealed jars in a dark cupboard. Will keep for one year.

Steps:

• Combine fruit and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, mashing occasionally with a potato masher, until fruit is very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer mixture to a fine sieve set over a heatproof bowl; let drain without pressing on fruit, 4 hours. Strain again through sieve lined with damp cheesecloth. Measure juice; you will have 3 to 4 cups.
• In a large heavy-bottomed pot, bring juice to a boil. Add 3/4 cup sugar for each cup of juice. Add lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Return to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, 8 to 12 minutes. To test if jelly is done, dip a large metal spoon in, lift it horizontally above pot, and let mixture drip back in. Jelly is done when mixture has thickened slightly and drops of it slide together off spoon in a sheet. (Temperature should register 221 degrees on a candy thermometer.) Skim foam from top.
• Ladle jelly into clean containers, leaving 3/4 inch of headroom. Let cool completely. Cover, label, and refrigerate up to 1 month, or freeze up to 1 year.