Strawberry Jam

Step 1

Choose glass jars with an airtight, metal lid and ensure they have been washed in the dishwasher or by hand in hot soapy water then rinsed well.Preheat the oven to 130 C. Place upright jars and lids on a baking tray. Heat in the oven for at least 20 minutes, then remove and immediately fill with jam. See Note 5.

Step 2

Place two small saucers or plates in the freezer. See Note 6.

Step 3

Wash and thoroughly dry strawberries. Remove the green stem from the strawberry and cut them in half. For larger strawberries, you may wish to quarter them. Add the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice to a large saucepan and mix well with a long-handled wooden spoon.

Step 4

Turn the heat on low and stir until the sugar dissolves. (This can take 5-8 minutes)If sugar crystals get caught on the side of the saucepan, scrape down with a spatula or wipe down with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. The sugar should be completely dissolved before bringing the jam to a boil, or the finished jam may crystallise.

Step 5

Once the sugar is dissolved, increase the heat to a rolling boil.Boil for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. After 10 minutes, begin to check for the setting point. Your jam will likely take between 10-12 minutes, but it will depend on the width of your saucepan and how rapidly the jam is boiling.

Step 6

Turn off heat and spoon a little of the jam onto one of your chilled saucers.Let it stand for 30 seconds to cool, and then run your finger through it. If it wrinkles, even slightly, it is ready. If it is still quite liquid, put it back on the heat and boil for a further 1-2 minutes, and retest until ready. Alternatively, you could use a candy thermometer. Setting point is reached when the thermometer reaches 105 Degrees C (220 F).

Step 7

Skim any scum off the top of the jam with a spoon.

Step 8

Allow the jam to sit for 5 minutes to allow the fruit to disperse evenly.

Step 9

Carefully ladle your jam into your hot jars and put the lids on immediately. Allow the jam to cool completely. Wipe the jars to remove any spills, and store the jam in a cool, dark place.

Step 10

If you follow the recipe instructions precisely and your jars are thoroughly sterilised, the Strawberry Jam should be shelf-stable for a year, possibly longer.