Ok, so here's the story.
I was going to make some hot mango chutney. I sensibly bought the mangoes while they were on special offer, instead of waiting for winter to come around and paying an extortionate price. Those mangoes sat there in the fruit bowl staring at me moodily for a week or so.
Ah, I would like to make you into chutney, but I am busy! I need more onions and oh, I need bramley apples too. Hey, I can't find bramley apples. Yes, I found some bramley apples, you guys are going to be chutney soon! Nah, I am just too tired tonight, maybe tomorrow. Sorry, have yoga and salsa tonight, it's too late and I am too tired. Tomorrow, yes definitely tomorrow! Hey mum, nice to see you, glad you came over! I am making chutney today. Oh, what, when did that happen! You've gone all squishy :(
That's so not fair! I have all the ingredients ready. My jars are sterilising.
*huff*
Ok, so I am not wasting those sparkling clean jars! What's in the fridge. Ok you'll do, in fact you will be the star of the show. Hey mum, I am making strawberry and peach jam :)
Strawberry & Peach Jam
400g sugar
250g punnet of strawberries, chopped
2 peaches, stoned and chopped
juice of 1 lemon
Place the sugar in a heatproof bowl and pop in a moderate oven for 10 minutes to heat up. Put a saucer in the freezer to test the jam. Place the fruit in a saucepan with the lemon juice and heat up. Simmer for 3 minutes and crush most of the fruit with a potato masher. Add the warm sugar, stir to dissolve and bring to the boil. Boil for around 5 minutes over a high heat, stirring regularly. To test, put a spoonful on your cold plate, leave to sit for a few seconds and then push finger through the jam, if it wrinkles, it's ready. Remove from heat and pour into sterilised jam jars. The jam will set as it cools.
Makes 2½ x 400g jars of jam
oh I know only too well about when the spirit is willing but the flesh is busy/disorganised/tired but I wish my occasions like that were as productive as yours - that jam looks wonderful
ReplyDeleteWell, I know how that feels!
ReplyDeleteJam looks stunning, though. Hope you made a smoothie or something equally divine with the squished mangoes.
Your jam looks wonderful...delicious color too :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what that's like... I bet the mangoes hate you right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great combination of flavors. I just recently made my first batch of strawberry freezer jam and I fell in love. There is nothing better than fresh, homemade jam on a hot buttery biscuit.
ReplyDeleteLol, I'm like that too. At least your jam turned out beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great looking jam. I've never tried that combination, usually I add rhubarb to my strawberries when making jam.
ReplyDeletethere's really nothing like making your own jams and chutneys, is there? yours looks lovely.
ReplyDeletepart of me can't wait for the fall to get here so i can make apple butter and pumpkin butter ...
That has happened A LOT! Still, the jam is fab. Love mango chutney though - you'll have to buy some more before winter and have another go
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous color that jam is! I'm sure it was delish in its own right. And I hope you froze those mangoes to use later in a smoothie!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds quite yummy! Did it set up, or is it going to stay soft like that?
ReplyDeletetoo bad about your mangoes, but what an awesome replacement! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like my life too, Holler! Now you have me craving mango chutney! :) So glad you didn't let the jars go to waste. Looks at the beautiful color of that jam!
ReplyDeleteThis episode gave me a giggle, as many-a-mango have met their Maker while sitting on my countertop!
ReplyDeleteWay to make the best of a sad situation. Lucky jars, those!
Thanks Johanna, I am glad it is not just me!
ReplyDeleteHey Lucy, afraid not, the mangoes were actually beyond squishy :(
Thanks Usha :)
Yeah, those mangoes hate me Jude!
Hey Pam, frozen fruit jam is so good!
Thanks Dee :)
Hi Silvie, strawberries and rhubarb are such a good combination! I recently saw a programme where chefs where dubious out it. I say, they just haven't lived!
Hi L, apple and pumpkin butter, those sounds really good. I haven't had the pleasure of trying those, I am definitely looking forward to those posts :)
Hey Beth, I bought more mango today. Please pray that the circumstances will be right for me this time. Either that or tell me to get a move on!
They have gone to a better place Ricki *crosses fingers behind back*
Hey Davimack, it did set some more, once it cooled, but it needs a little goooeyness, to be unctuous!
I agree Grace :)
Hi Jenn, you have restored my faith! I am glad it is not just me :)
Hi Lo, I felt so guilty! Such a waste, but at least I was able to give my mum a jar of yummy jam to take home and she didn't need to let it mature like chutney either!
Lol poor mangoes. I seem to do that too often with mangoes (though less often now) so I tend to stick them in the fridge once they start to get a bit soft. This jam looks and sounds really good though! And wow yoga and salsa in one night?? Impressive!
ReplyDeleteGood advice Ashley! I usually put half my fruit in the fridge, but I was overly optimistic about using them quickly!
ReplyDeleteYou are right it is a bit much having yoga and salsa in the one night and I feel it the next day, but it is just the way it worked out. Graham is going to salsa class with me, which is fun :)
LOL ... the spirit is willing ? I have done nothing exciting or even unexciting in the cooking world this week, just enjoying the last days of summer and fresh fruits and veggies.
ReplyDeleteStrawberries and peaches ... yummy!
Those last days of summer really have to be savoured Ohio Mom
ReplyDelete"The best laid intentions" as they say. I can so relate to your post:D
ReplyDeleteOh holler, that jam looks and sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteooooh, your jam looks heavenly! Perfect for the peaches that are in abundance in our corner of the world, too - thank you for the glorious inspiration! (your photo is a positive work of art, too...)
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly it Val!
ReplyDeleteThank you Julia :)
Thanks Astra :)
lol, sorry about the mangoes--next time, right? Looks like you certainly made up for it though--this looks and sounds like a delicious jam flavor!
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, I have more mangos to try again today, cross your fingers for me!
ReplyDeleteI love peach jam but I've never very fond of strawberry jam. Since my little one like strawberry, I wonder if we can come to a truce and eat this one together!
ReplyDeleteAlthough the mango chutney would have been good, that jam looks fantastic, awesome colour!
ReplyDeleteHey Recipe Girl, you might want to put more peach and less strawberries in it if you are not keen on strawberries because they are the key flavour.
ReplyDeleteHi Brilynn, I have mango chutney bubbling away just now. I have spiced it up and the smell is going around my heart.
What a beautiful colour the jam has - it looks like a stunning jewel. I'd still eat it though!!!
ReplyDeleteStrawberry and peach jam sounds good. I am going to have to start experimenting with flavour combo jams.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty, isn't it CC?
ReplyDeleteIt is good, but I might add more peaches next time. It is a subtle flavour addition right now, but, gorgeous, gorgeous jam :)
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