Friday, June 11, 2010

Best Ever Strawberry Jam Tutorial {and EASY}

Can you tell what I have been doing the past couple days? Making strawberry jam and lots of it!

You start with some berries. I suggest going and picking
them or buying from a place where they pick them
instead of the store for better flavor, but that is just
my opinion.

Then you need some jars, lids and sure jell. I only use sure jell because I have used it for years,
but I do know there are other fruit pectins out there too.

Wash your berries and drain them in a colander.
{I fill up my sink with cold water , add the berries,
swish them around and then put the in the colander
to drain}

Remove the stems and I usually cut the larger ones in half.

For each recipe you will need 2 cups of crushed berries. I put mine in a square dish and crush mine with a potato masher. I know this *orange* potato masher is not really my color now, but I have had it for years. lol.

Mash away until you get the consistency you want. I keep mine kinda chunky because we like it that way.

After crushing they look like this.

Next, you measure out 2 cups of the crushed berries.

Put 4 cups of sugar in a large pan.

Stir in the 2 cups of crushed berries.

Be sure and mix it well. Then you let it stand for
10 minutes. You can stir it once in awhile during this time.
{I use a timer to make it precise and mine
has never failed to set up}

Next you measure out 3/4 cup water and put it in a
saucepan along with one package of sure jell.

I use a whisk to mix it together. Bring it to a boil while
stirring constantly and boil one minute.
{here again I set a timer to be precise}

Pour the sure jell mixture into the berries and sugar mixture
that has been setting for 10 minutes.

Then you stir, stir, stir...
for 3 minutes {remember that timer}

Ladel it into your prepared jars

Top with lids and rings...

Let it set for 24 hours and pop it all into your
freezer. You will have amazing jam all winter long.

You can also put the cutesy labels on them that
come in the package of jars.

YUMM...now doesn't it look delicious?????

Happy Friday !! Blessings~

13 comments:

Julie Marie said...

Yummy yum! I love to make all kinds of jams too Sandi... nothing better than a piece of toast with homemade jam on it! xoxo Julie Marie PS I took the photo of the snake off!

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Looks delicious Sandi... I don't make the jam anymore since there is just two of us and I would have to buy the berrries... But I still enjoy it...

Brenda said...

This week I have made 4 batches of this very jam, and it is delicious! You did a perfect job of describing and photographing the process.
Brenda

Elyse said...

what's more fun?
(a) making the jam
(b) enjoying the jam
(c) making the labels
(d) all of the above

i'm thinking D

xo
elyse

Amanda Kaake said...

Wow you did make a lot! I LOVE the silver lids!!! Enjoy your yummy jam ;)

Irene said...

I'm so glad you pick your own berries, it sure helps the local farmers. And you'll enjoy your jam with a slice of toast.

Crystal said...

It looks great! Jam and butter on toast....mmmmm. Just wanted to let you know I stole...or at the very least borrowed one of your ideas! Hope you don't mind!!

Splendid Little Stars said...

The jam looks wonderful! I can almost taste the stawberries! YUM!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Sandi I am so excited you are sharing this! My M-I-L used to make this every year and it was my son's favorite when he was little. Judy has been gone now for 8 years and we haven't had it since. I think I will surprise him for his 16th birthday with a batch! Thank you, thank you!!

GwendolynKay said...

I have never made jam... I always left that up to my mother in law... no I leave it up to smuckers..Ha!
But your's looks sooooooooooooo yummo!!!
Will it work with any berry?
~Have a fab weekend~
Gwen

The Pink Rose Cottage said...

Oh YUM!!! I think I'll go strawberry picking tomorrow!

~Holly

afarmersdaughter said...

Hi Sandi!! Well~you did it to me again~inspired me to do something I had only dreamed of doing~make jam!! Honestly~how could I not try it! Your pictures were so beautiful~and your step by step instructions made it seem so easy~I thought even I could do this! So I have been " jammin " all day~I made 5 batches of your wonderful jam today~and I can't wait to share it with friends and family!
xoxoxo Maryann

afarmersdaughter said...

Hi Sandi!! Well~you did it to me again~inspired me to do something I had only dreamed of doing~make jam!! Honestly~how could I not try it! Your pictures were so beautiful~and your step by step instructions made it seem so easy~I thought even I could do this! So I have been " jammin " all day~I made 5 batches of your wonderful jam today~and I can't wait to share it with friends and family!
xoxoxo Maryann