Yup, I am going to put my gingerbread air freshener in my car. This may be the extent of our decorations this year!
And now onto the jam-tastrophe. Using my SuperJam book I was very confident- I followed all the steps so no idea what happened. I have made jam before (plum and cinnamon- yum). The idea of the superjam is to use concenrated grape juice instead of regular sugar. Sounds simple, right? Well in the book it said to reduce the 3 litres to 1/4 in about 30 mins.
Grape juice in pan above.
Grape juice after 30 minutes below.
Yeah, not really reduced to 1/4 yet.
This took about an hour and a half. My gas bill!!!
The fruit was looking good- I used cranberries and blueberries (frozen ones).
Then you had to add the reduced grape juice to the fruit and boil it all up.
It boiled like crazy. I added pectin (to help it set)- I followed the recipe to the letter. I skimmed the foam off the top and checked that it got to the right temperature on the sugar thermometer.
But it will not set- it is very runny, more like a sauce than a jam. Hmm. Next time I am going back to regular sugar I am afraid- I am going to try mango and apple next so wish me luck! And any idea what went wrong? (I am blaming the grape juice myself)
It seems like a waste of all the fruit to throw it away, so I might call it “coulis“- will that work? (But of course give them real jam too once I make it hopefully!).
🙂
Ah sorry it didn’t work. When I made jam there was no added liquid or pectin (I used the “jam sugar”), but keep the coolie and drizzle it on ice cream and/or mix it in your porridge – bet it would be amazing!
Never made jam and it looks like I probably shouldn’t attempt considering how great your baking skills are!
Sorry that it didn’t work this time around though! I guess if it tastes good (which I imagine it does!) you can put on porridge or, like Laura said…ice-cream!!
I bet that gingerbread air fresher really makes the car smell seasonal!
I’ve never been brave enough to make jam – I don’t think it’s safe to let me loose with boiling sugar! I’m sure that you’re next attempt will be much better 🙂
I have never made jam! I know this sounds silly but I’m scared to — I am SO CLUMSY and I just know I’ll burn myself!
i’m a mess in the kitchen so can offer you no counsel! ha!
i love jam, and i hope that your next recipe turns out successfully! with lots of clumps! love a thick jam!!! x
Yeah I bet it would be fab on porridge- good idea 🙂
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again (which also was one of the first “songs” I learnt on the piano- used 2 notes!). 🙂
Thats exactly why I’ve never made jam as I would always worry it wouldn’t set! I’m sure set or not yours will taste wonderful 🙂
Oh no! Sorry the jam didn’t set! (although from a selfish point of view I’m glad I didn’t buy that book now!)
When I made jam it set *too* much. I don’t know if I used too much sugar or boiled it too long. It has also destroyed the pan I used – it’s been weeks now & after daily scrubbing/spraying/trying lots of different methods, there is still almost a burnt on layer full of raspberry seeds! So I’m kind of reluctant to try making jam again unless I can save this pan first! Do you find that or do your pans clean fine after jam making?
I love the sound of mango and apple jam, I’m sure that will be delicious when you make it 🙂
I’ve never made jam, so I’ve got no advice, but it sounds like it might still be tasty!
Yep, call it a coulis (or maybe a jus) and you’ll be laughing! I bet it’d be great on ice cream or porridge too… I was going to say maybe it should have been boiling on a higher temperature but if the thermometer said it was right, I don’t know… maybe email them and ask? I love Superjam and it would be great to be able to make it 🙂
Who knows, ah well the book has loads of recipes with sugar so that is what I am aiming for. Lucy I did soak my pan right away but it did come off fine, but then I suppose if you cooked it too hot then it might burn on?
Laura- mine set last time so luckily I am not too put off.
Sorry it didn’t set, I’m sureit would be deliciosu stireed in to some oats or yoghurt.
I really want a gingerbread man car freshener!! 🙂 Where did you get him from? I’ve given up trying to reign in my festive urges!
Sorry about the jam but as the others has said I bet it will be yummy stirred into porridge or rice pudding!
Yup Jemma will be trying it on oats tomorrow 🙂
Emma- I got it from Accessorize 🙂 So so cute!