20 Minuite Jam

Ok so I love Jam, but I do not love Jam from stores, never really have. I find it WAY too sweet, and some have WAY too many preservatives in it, and not to mention things that just don't need to be there; i.e food colors.  Personally I love the look of REAL natural Jam, especially a fruit blend Jam, every batch is a different color, its refreshing and satisfying seeing the "fruits" ( tee hee ) of your labor come out the way they were intended.
Did you know that you do not need to use artificial pectin, that a simple granny smith apple or really apple for that matter will do. Adding one apple to your jam batch will give you enough NATURAL pectin to set up your batch of jam.  This is why I love making homemade Jam and preserves. Its so simple and super tasty. Adding apple gives you alot of base flavor, ever wonder why sometimes jam is heavy tasting, way too sweet, or too sticky, its because, there is like 4 .. really 4 - 6 cups of sugar in a  regular batch of Jam, that blows my mind ! The sugar is needed to activate the synthetic pectin, ... so `They`say but you see when you remove the artificial pectin, and add a apple or two you are not only reducing the sugar dramatically you are enhancing your Jams flavor, quality, nutritional value and making a lighter tasting Jam. Apples in Jam do a world of wonder !
I never make huge batches cause this style is so easy, I simply make enough for a month or so, usually never lasts that long, we end up eating it on bread, buns, oatmeal, pancakes, muffins, ice cream and anything else we can find ( tee hee ) .
Oh and I think I should mention, that heavy tasting Jam comes from not having a balance in it, every thing sweet needs a bit of zing to balance it out, add some lemon, lime, or orange zest to your Jams to brighten the flavor, you will be surprised at what a tablespoon or two can do to  your jam... Just try it ... Trust me :)


Apple Strawberry Peach Jam

3 cups cut up washed strawberries
2 apples diced washed and peeled
3 - 4 peaches diced washed and peeled ( depending on size )
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
zest from 2 oranges

Combine everything in a large stock pot, and bring to a boil, once boiled, simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally.
If you like a chunky jam leave it as is, if you like a less chunky jam, while your jam is simmering take a potato masher and mash the fruit every so often to break it up, most of the fruit does that naturally through the cooking process, but you can mash it to your liking.
Once Jam has reduced, and the majority of the liquid has evaporated, or jam has come to your desired texture, take off heat and allow to cool.
Store in glass jar or Tupperware, lasts for 1 - 2 months.. if you can keep it around that long :)

Diced up fruit ... Yum !

Simmering fruit, I used a masher to get a semi chunky Jam

Jam on toast ... Yum again !

You can try this with any fruit you want, Jam no longer has to be intimidating, or time consuming.. Take 20 mins. out of your day, diced up whatever fruit you have on hand, add a big or citrus zest sugar and water and get r done !  I promise you will be shocked and possibly a little addicted to a healthier yummier easier hand made Jam !





Love Sierra