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Wednesday 21 November 2012

Strawberry Jam




Never in my whole life have i ever managed to get such cheap and fresh strawberries - so happy! Tesco had a (re)opening promotion for these Cameronian beauties - at RM1 per punnet...an absolute steal.

Perfect to make that strawberry jam I have been thinking about for quite a while.


These are all going into the pot - now that's what i call REAL jam :)

Medium size and just semi sweet - but absolutely fresh. 
That's the most important.



Homemade Strawberry Jam

  • 650g strawberries, rinsed and hulled
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 140g sugar

There is no need to buy articificial pectin.  The natural pectin in the fruit will help to set the jam.  It won't be as jellified as the commercially made ones, but that's what i like about homemade jam.  It comes in a sticky thick slushy blob, instead of jellified chunks.


1. Mash or roughly chopped up the strawberries and put into a heavy based stainless steel pot.  Bring to a slow boil and keep simmering on the lowest heat.




2. Add in the lemon zest and juice, keep stirring frequently to prevent the bottom from burning.

3. After about 20-30min, add in the sugar.  The mixture would turn an even deeper, rich and glossy hue.  Beautiful!


Before adding sugar...


After adding sugar...

4. Continue to stir and simmer for another 10min, the thickness should be just about right by now (it will continue to thicken as it cools).  Remove from heat and let it cool a bit before pouring into clean jars.  Better to pour into several smal jars so you can just open one to consume without contaminating the rest.  This will last for up to 3 months.  Without any perservatives. 

Enjoy!


26 comments:

  1. The strawberries are so gorgeous and only RM$1. I would have grabbed like 20 boxes ha ha... love the beautiful colour of your jams.

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    1. I would have too, if they hadnt imposed a limit of 3 per person. So i got my hubby and mum to get for me too haha!

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  2. That's a lot of strawberries! So nice. The cheapest I have ever bought them was RM10 for a punnet :(

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    1. The local ones are normally 6.99 per punnet. Sometimes i get the imported ones, if they are special for 10bucks. Still pricey hor:(

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  3. Esther, can I have that for Christmas? :)

    I love to have scones with jam and butter... Can you make orange marmalade too? I want one jar each! Thanks in advance!

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    1. Yes, they ARE rather christmassy, arent they? :) the red and green, like little elves. Orange marmalade? Hmm never a big fan of those though...dunno why, maybe its the peel. Looks like its two jars of strawberry jam for you then :)

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  4. Esther, fantastic! There's something so irresistible about red strawberries. Your jam looks beautifully red and yummy. Lucky you, went to Tesco at right timing. Don't think this offer will be on anytime soon.

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    1. Yea, i happened to see the brochure for the opening special, so cepat cepat go!

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  5. Hi Esther, you are lucky to get these strawberries. Me too waiting for such chance but never coming. Great jam, I would love to make it too. I believe your jam is very fruity yet not that sweet.

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    1. H Kimmy, yea, the quantity of sugar in this recipe is just sufficient to tame the tartness of the strawberries. It is definitely not as sweet as those commercial ones. All pure fruity goodness,

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  6. Hi Esther, wah....strawberry so cheap RM 1 per punnet!!! I'm drooling..... LOL
    I love to make my own strawberry jam too as it's not so sweet. your look yummy. Nice to go with scones or Victorian sandwich cake.

    Have a nice day.

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    1. Yea, i should have made some scones and cream to go with it, forgot!

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  7. so cheap!!! really love your photos today, all looks so vibrant red! i've seen quite many of you made jams over the past 2-3 months, i will have to try it someday too..someday!

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    1. Fruit jams are one of the easiest thing to make. No need to wait for someday la, Lena. This weekend will do :)

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  8. Replies
    1. The one at mutiara damansara, opposite ikea. Dun hv d, this was quite a few weeks ago, to promote the opening of their refurbished store.

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  9. Only RM1 per punnet? Ok..you've to tell me which tesco did you get this from? It's really really cheap. Can't believe it. Your jams looks perfect!

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    1. Oh dear, i really should have qualify this right at the start of my blog. Haha. My fault. It was a series of promotions tesco had to celebrate the opening of their refurbished store,

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  10. RM1? What?? It is really a good bargain, can buy the whole lot then freeze them...
    Yours strawberry jam looks good, I should try to make it when strawberry season come again. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. A steal indeed, very fresh and nicely shaped ones too. No wonder the jam turned out looking so good. What better opportunity to make some 'real' jam, in your words but I totally agree with you :) Such bargains makes the effort extra worthwhile, I made some kiwi jam when i got them for a good bargain once, I was as happy as you!

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    1. Hi Adeline, you are right, best time to make real jam is when you got a bargain on fresh fruits :) kiwi jam sounds nice, but my son doesnt like the seeds...

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  12. hi Esther, i have just made strawberries jam too!
    homemade jam tastes better and real, isnt it? :)
    your pics are stunning!

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  13. That cheap ?! I wonder if there's any left in Tesco. I'll bet they're all snatched up by now.
    Homemade jams are the best! Lots of fruit ... no scrimping! This is such a lovely color! May I suggest a tsp of balsamic vinegar in it while cooking? I found that in Nigella's recipe and that brought out the flavors wonderfully. And have stuck to that since :)

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    1. Really? Balsamic vinegar? Never heard of that..but i'm game to try. Thanks For the tip, Ping, love it when i get useful additional advice to improve on my recipes :)

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