Jam

So this is extremely long overdue, jam. Jam is one of the joys of summer- so I made a batch of strawberry which went down very well with the lucky one's who received a pot.

 All you need is some lovely, fresh unblemished and preferably hand picked fruit, two thirds of the weight of the fruit on granulated sugar, and a squeeze of lemon (for the pectin). And that is it. Simple. Well, you also need a big pan and a hob and some jars...

Put your sugar and fruit in a pan large enough, turn on the heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Then put a little plate i n the fridge, this you will use to test to see whether your jam has reached setting point.

Allow the jam to boil for, oh, about 8 minutes then spoon a little onto your chilled plate. If when you run your finger through it, the mixture creases (wrinkles, whatever you like) then you are hood to go. Have your sterilised pots to hand (washed then popped into an oven at 100 degrees celsius for 10 minutes) and fill them. It is easiest to put the jam into a jug and pour into the pots. Minimal wastage. Now I know it's a while before summer's bounty will be upon us...but remember it is almost marmalade time...