Strawberry jam recipe

Strawberry Jam – A Flavorful Delicacy

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: Approximately 4 jars of 400g

Strawberry jam is a classic, simple, and delicious recipe that transforms the sweetest seasonal fruits into a flavorful treat, perfect for enjoying on toast, pancakes, or even as a filling for pastries. Here’s how to make a superb strawberry jam with a velvety texture and intense flavor.

Ingredients:

- 1.2 kg of fresh, ripe strawberries
- 1 kg of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of lemon salt (or juice from one medium lemon)
- 1/2 cup of water (optional, for a thinner jam)

Step 1: Preparing the Strawberries

Start by washing the strawberries thoroughly under cold running water. Make sure to remove any impurities. After washing, carefully remove the stems and cut them in halves or quarters, depending on your preference. Cut strawberries will combine more easily with the sugar, resulting in a uniform jam texture.

Step 2: Maceration

In a large bowl, add the cut strawberries and sugar. Mix well so that the sugar is evenly distributed over the fruit. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for about 1-2 hours. This step is essential as the sugar will extract the natural juice from the strawberries, contributing to a richer jam.

Step 3: Cooking the Jam

Once the strawberries have macerated, transfer the mixture to a large pot, adding the lemon salt. If you prefer a thinner jam, add 1/2 cup of water. Place the pot over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 30-40 minutes until the jam thickens. Use a wooden spatula to stir occasionally.

Step 4: Consistency Test

To check if the jam is ready, you can do the plate test: place a teaspoon of jam on a cold plate and tilt it slightly. If it holds its shape and doesn’t run, it’s ready to be jarred. If it’s too runny, let it cook for a few more minutes.

Step 5: Jarring

Prepare the jars by sterilizing them. You can do this either by boiling them or running them through a dishwasher cycle. When the jam is ready, carefully pour it into the sterilized jars, ensuring that there are no traces of jam on the rims for a good seal. Immediately seal the jars with the lids and let them cool completely.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Strawberry jam is delicious on toast, in yogurt, or as a filling for pastries. You can add additional flavors, such as vanilla or cinnamon, to give it a unique twist. You can also combine strawberries with other fruits, like raspberries or blueberries, for a delightful mixed jam.

Helpful Tips

1. Choose ripe strawberries without blemishes or soft spots for the best flavor.
2. Don’t skip the lemon salt, as it helps preserve the color and sweet taste of the strawberries.
3. Try using glass jars of different sizes so you can gift the jam to loved ones.

Enjoy the final result – a perfect strawberry jam, full of flavor, that will add a touch of happiness to every morning!

For 1 kg of sugar, add a teaspoon of citric acid and a deep plate filled with fruits, at least 1.200 kg. Lemon can also be used. Wash the strawberries, remove the stems, place them in a pot, sprinkle with citric acid, and then add the sugar. Set them aside until they release their juice, somewhere between 2 hours and a day. The advantage of cooking them faster is that the jam remains a lighter color, while the disadvantage is that you have to stay close until the sugar melts, on very low heat, even using a hot plate. I left them overnight in the fridge and cooked them in the morning when they had enough juice to allow me to leave them alone on the heat. At first, keep it on low heat until it puffs up well, then we can raise the flame a bit and skim off the foam. After about 45 minutes, start taking a little juice out onto a plate to let it cool so we can check the consistency. Keep in mind that the jam will gel more as it cools due to the pectin. It should sit covered with a damp cloth until it cools down. Then into jars! Enjoy! My strawberry jam recipe was proposed by Raluca Elena. Other strawberry recipes: Strawberry cake, Strawberry mousse, Strawberry ice cream, Strawberry jam. Discuss more about this recipe on the recipe forum.

 Ingredients: Strawberry jam recipe: 1 kg of sugar, 1.200 kg of strawberries (fruits), lemon.

 Tags:  homemade jam strawberry jam