Strawberry Jam Recipe | Homemade Jam Recipes

I like all kinds of berries to eat them as its own or in any dessert.Most of the times I end up eating them just like that unless I get an itch to make something else with it. In Mumbai we used to get fresh strawberries directly delivered from a farm in Mahabhaleswar through a building resource and hence we were fortunate to get lot of fresh and juicy strawberries every week through out the strawberry season.

I usually used to make a very small quantity of simple strawberry jam and used to finish it in 3-4 days.My strawberry Jam was simple to make with just strawberries, sugar and lemon with no additional preservatives or pectin.I have checked various recipes on net where a vanilla pod or cinnamon stick is added for extra flavoring. I have tried both the versions with the vanilla pod and cinnamon stick and absolutely loved both the versions which enhanced the taste of the jam in its own way.

I usually make the jam with less sugar and also do not cook it for long and hence the shelf life was less but the recipe I am posting today is perfect in texture of jam and also has good shelf life.If the required amount of sugar is added and is cooked for long the jam sets beautifully even without Pectin as the fruits usually contain some amount of pectin naturally.Check out this Pectin free and Preservative free homemade Strawberry Jam recipe.

Other Strawberry recipes in my blog:

• Strawberry Milkshake 
• Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
• Strawberry Lassi
• Strawberry Frozen Yogurt/Froyo

Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe:

yields: 1 Jar of Jam | Shelf life: 2 weeks

Prep time: 10 mins | Cooking time: 30 mins | Total time: 40 mins

Cuisine: World | Category:Jams/Preserves

Ingredients:

500 gms Strawberries

1 heaped cup Sugar(roughly 250 gms)

juice of 1 small Lemon

Lemon Zest of 1 small Lemon,optional

Vanilla Pod or Cinnamon stick(for flavoring),optional

Method:

• Place 2 small plates in the freezer to test the consistency of jam later.
• Wash and wipe the strawberries nicely, hull the strawberries and cut them into 4 pieces or more if the strawberries are really big.

• Add Sugar to the strawberries and keep aside for about a couple of hours or overnight.This step is optional but it will help the strawberries to release their natural juices and also helps to retain its bright color.
• Add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the strawberry-sugar mixture.If you are using vanilla pod cut and scrape the seeds from the pod and add to the mixture or you can add a small cinnamon stick to the mixture and transfer the mixture to the pan and cook it on the low flame until the sugar disssolves completely. 

• Then increase the flame and cook on high flame for 7-8 mins until the mixture bubbles.Carefully skim off any foam off the top of the jam.
• Mash the mixture nicely with a potato masher or by using back of a ladle.I like my jam slightly chunky so I leave few bits here and there.
• Simmer the mixture for 15-20 mins by mixing the mixture in between.The mixture would have thickened by now and it is time to test the consistency.

• Pour a drop of jam on the chilled plate and if the jam is set and does not move it is considered as done, if it is runny the jam still has not reached the right stage and hence you need to cook it for some more time before you test the consistency again.
• Cool the mixture completely and carefully transfer the mixture into sterilized jars using a dry spoon.
• Seal and store the jam in the refrigerator for up to 10-15 days.

Spread it on a toast or make jam sandwiches or chapati-jam roll ups and enjoy!!

Notes:

1. You can follow the same process to prepare any berry jam like blueberries, blackberries, raspberry, mulberry or you can even prepare mixed berry jam.
2. As we are not using any preservatives this jam can be stored up to 2 weeks if handled carefully.I had successfully used it for a month too.
3. I like the flavor of both cinnamon and vanilla pod in the strawberry jam.You can use any of them or you can skip it if you do not want any additional flavor to the jam.
4. You can add 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder or 1/2 tsp vanilla extract instead of the cinnamon stick and pod in the recipe.

Technorati Tags: strawberry jam recipe, how to make strawberry jam, how to make jam at home, strawberry recipes, jam recipes, pectin free strawberry jam, preservative free strawberry jam

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Strawberry Frozen Yogurt(Froyo)....a must do seasonal dessert!!

Strawberries are one of my favorite seasonal fruits which I enjoy eating boxes and boxes of strawberries in this season.I always think of preparing something with strawberries but always end up eating them just like that before they get turned to any other form.So, this time I bought two boxes so that I will definitely use them in making this yummy dessert which I wanted to try from a long time when I saw it here and here .This is a very yummy and easy dessert which does not require any cream and is a very ideal dessert for calorie conscious people.

Ingredients:
1 pound(240 gms) fresh strawberries
2/3 cup(130gms) Sugar
1 cup(240gms) curd/yogurt
1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Method:

• Tie the yogurt in a muslin cloth overnight(atleast 2-3 hrs) and keep it in the refrigerator to get thick creamy and cheesy yogurt.
• Roughly chop strawberries and toss them in sugar and keep it aside for 1/2 hr until the sugar dissolves completely and make the strawberries look still red.Toss in between a couple of times.
• Blend the strawberry mixture and strain it in a strainer.I did not strain as I wanted to enjoy the fruit completely.So,this step of straining is optional to you if you do not like seeds in the dessert.
• Add lemon juice and hung curd to it and blend again to a smooth mixture.Check the sweetness at this point and add extra sugar if needed according to your taste.
• Pour the mixture in the ice cream maker and let it run in the freezer until you get thick,creamy and luscious frozen yogurt.The time taken by the ice cream maker depends completely on the brand of the maker but it helps in getting ice free frozen yogurt/ice cream.(If you do not have the ice cream maker,you freeze the strawberry mixture in a plastic box and blend it after it hardens,repeat the process 4 to 5 times until you get ice-free frozen desset.)
  
• Remove it from the ice cream maker and store it in a plastic box in the freezer.

Sprinkle some pistachios/ mint leaves on top of the frozen strawberry yogurt scoops and serve it cold.

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Strawberry Lassi

This was a long pending post in my archives.Nothing special about this drink just another refreshing drink for this summers.

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh strawberries
3/4 cup Fresh thick curds beaten
1/2 cup Milk(boiled and cooled)
2-3 tbsp Sugar(adjust according to taste)
1 tbsp strawberry syrup(optional)
Ice cubes

Method:
Blend everything(other than ice cubes) into a nice smooth liquid and add ice cubes at the end.
Serve it cold.

I am sending this to Refreshing Drink-RD for Summer Event at chandrabhaga.

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Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

When the banana's turn black in colour,i generally peel off its skin and freeze it for my smoothies.As this is the season for strawberries,i even freeze these strawberries as they get spoilt very soon.This is a quick and easy smoothie which can be prepared with these frozen fruits any time as it is so handy.

And this goes to FIC(Event)-PINK/ROSE by priya of priyaeasyntastyrecipes.

Ingredients:
1 Big Cup frozen Strawberries
2 small frozen (peeled)yelakki banana(or 1 normal banana)
1/2 cup yoghurt
1 cup milk
2 tbsp almonds blanched(optional)
3 tbsp honey
1 tsp sugar
3 mint leaves

Method:
Blend the strawberries,banana's with sugar in a mixie,be sure your mixie can handle these frozen fruits.Add yoghurt,milk,honey,almonds,mint and blend it into a nice pouring consistency smoothie.Serve it in a tall glass.
If you want to use fresh strawberries and banana's,add ice cubes while blending the smoothie.

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