Fresh Strawberry Jam

Fresh strawberry jam served with some Roggenkrüstchen (rye bread rolls)

Jam is one of the few products that I don't really enjoy in India. Most of the marmelades/jams of the leading brands are far too sweet for comfort, have artificial colours and flavourings and taste rather synthetic. The preserves here in Europe are much more fruity and natural. But the best jam, I think, is the one made at home.

I make a fresh batch of this one with strawberries every few days. Also because it disappers much rapidly. :) It is based on a recipe by Tarla Dalal and is extremely easy to make. It is great as a change from the routine Muesli and milk breakfast that we have on weekdays. Moreover, I think it is versatile because apart from its primary use as a bread spread, I mix it with plain yoghurt (that makes delicious flavoured yoghurt) and also use it in smoothies, especially when I don't have fresh fruit for that. I think it will be great as a filling in Victoria Sandwich Cake too. I haven't tried it like that yet, though.

Anyway, here is the recipe for Fresh Strawberry Jam

Ingredients:

2 cups strawberries (approx. 500 g., considering that the cook will pop a few of them into the mouth while cutting them, like yours truly does :)
3 to 4 tbsp sugar (the quantity depends largely on the sweetness of the strawberries)
1 to 2 tsp lime juice

Clockwise from left: lime, strawberries, sugar cubes (these are only for aesthetic purposes; I used regular sugar in the preparation)

Method:

1. Chop the strawberries fine.

Chopped strawberries, two cups

2. Mix them with the sugar in a pan and cook. Stir the mixture often while mashing the strawberries with the back of the ladle. Please make sure that you cook it on low heat, otherwise the mixture can easily burn, like this. (And to think this is my 'n'th batch.)

Burnt Strawberry Jam :(

3. Take off heat once the mixture is thick. Cool.
4. Add some lime juice. Check the taste. Add some more, if required.
5. Fill in a sterilised bottle. Store in the refrigerator.

Enjoy this 'No preservatives, all natural, low-sugar' jam with some fresh bread rolls or on toast. A great way to kickstart your day!

This is my entry for ARF/5-a-day Tuesday #16.

Tags: strawberry, strawberries , Fruit , jam