Hello friends and friends of Paulina Cuisine, we hope they are having a great time and cooking a lot! In this new installment we want to bring a classic of classics in the world of recipes, which surely retrograms them to their childhood: plum jam.
When we think of homemade plum jam , a grandmother is surely coming to mind by stirring a giant pot with a wooden spoon , while the kitchen was permeated by a sweet and slightly acidic aroma. The red plum jam is not just a delicacy to spread in toast, it is a trip that transports us to those moments of warmth and tradition.
That is why today we are going to spend all the tips and tips to make the gamble jam recipe at home and enjoy this delicious sweet with those we want, and incidentally store a few jars to have all year.
Content table
About plum jam
Talking about the homemade jam of plum is talking about an undisputed classic of the pantries of the grandmothers. This plum candy , which has gone from generation to generation, is one of those pleasures that does not know of fashions or times.
From the most traditional, to the most innovative versions, plum has always lent itself to be the star ingredient . Because? For its perfect combination of acidity and sweetness, which allows to create a balance of unique flavors.
Now, although the plum jam may sound like something simple, the truth is that each step in its preparation has its trick. From the choice of fruit to the exact point of cooking, every detail counts to achieve that perfect texture and flavor that we all look for in a homemade plum jam .
5 attributes of homemade plum jam
- Texture: The texture of homemade plum jam is something that cannot be bought in a supermarket. Achieving that right point in which the jam is thick enough, it is an art. The secret is in cooking time and in the amount of sugar used.
- Taste : The taste of jam depends largely on the quality of plums. If red plums are used, a sweeter flavor will be obtained , while with yellow plums, acidity will be more pronounced. Good advice is to test plums before cooking them to adjust the necessary amount of sugar.
- Color: A red plum jam will have an intense , almost garnet color, which is simply spectacular. This color is one of the greatest visual attractions of the jam, and intensifies even more if the skin of plums is left during cooking.
- Aroma: Nothing like the aroma of a newly made plum jam. The sweet and fruity smell invades the kitchen. Aromatic Tip : To give it an extra touch, you can add some cinnamon or vanilla during cooking .
- Versatility: plum jam is not just to spread in a homemade bread . It can also be used as a cake filling or cookies such as pepas , accompanying cheeses, or even as glaze for meats.
How to regulate acidity and avoid the bitterness of plum jam
Two questions that usually arise with this recipe is how to remove acidity from plum jam? And why is the plum jam?
The truth is that although acidity is part of the charm of this plum's jerk some people prefer it sweeter. In that case you can add a little more sugar at the end of cooking or try a touch of sodium bicarbonate (very little, that we do not want to ruin it), which helps neutralize acidity.
On the other hand, bitterness can be the result of cooking too much jam or using plums that are not fully mature. To avoid this, it is better to try the plums before starting and not cooking them over fire.
How to make red plum jam: patience is key
Making plum jam is more than following a recipe; It is a process in which each step counts. The key is to select the appropriate plums , cut them into uniform pieces and cook over low heat , constantly stirring so that they do not stick.
Large plums are usually more acidic than small ones, so, depending on personal taste, for a sweeter result, a small plum jam can be a great option.
At the time of preparation it is not a matter of hurrying; Patience is our best ally, so it is important to respect cooking times , because if we pass, the jam can be too thick or even bitter. And if we fell short, there will be a plum puree instead of a jam.
Other ways to make plum jam
- Without sugar : For a sweet plummer for people with diabetes, such as strawberry jam (strawberry) without sugar or peach jam (peach) without sugar , it can be sweeten with natural sweeteners such as stevia or succral. It is important to keep in mind that the texture will be a bit different and perhaps it is necessary to add pectin to thickens.
- Express plum jam : For those who have little patience, an option is to make a quick version using frozen plums . You just have to cook them with a little sugar and lemon juice for about 20-30 minutes, and voila!
- With other fruits : other fruits such as apples, strawberries (strawberries) or apricot (damscos) can be added to give a different touch to the jam. Of course, it is key to adjust the amount of sugar according to the acidity of the fruit that is added.
- With chia seeds : for a healthier option and with a unique texture, adding chia seeds is an excellent alternative. These seeds not only provide an extra fiber and nutrients, but also help to thicken jam naturally , reducing the necessary amount of sugar. You just have to add one or two tablespoons of chia seeds to the jam once it is cooked, and let stand until they thick.
7 tips to prepare red plum jam
- Using mature plums : mature plums have more natural sugar and less acidity, which will make the jam is sweeter and less bitter .
- Peel the plums for a softer texture : although the skin adds color and texture, you can peel the plums before cooking them so that there is a smoother jam.
- Adding a touch of lemon : lemon juice not only helps to keep the jam, but also enhances the taste of the plum and balances sweetness.
- Cooking over low heat : patience is key. Cooking over low heat prevents the jam from burning or sticking, and helps to thickens evenly.
- Try the jam before finishing : before finishing it, try the jam and adjust the sweetness if necessary.
- Do the finger test: a classic to check that the jam is ready is to load a wooden spoon with the sweet and pass a finger, if it takes to join both sides, it is already thickened.
- Sterilize the bottles : to preserve plum's jam for months, it is crucial to sterilize the containers in which they are stored. You can sterilize the bottles in the microwave to do so faster. This prevents bacteria from forming and maintaining fresh jam for longer.
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Homemade jam recipe
Yields: 4 small bottles (approx. 200 ml each)
Preparation time: 40-50 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 kg of red plums
- 500 g of sugar
- 1 lemon juice
How to make red plum jam step by step
- Wash the plums well, remove the carozo and cut them into small pieces. Optionally, you can peel the plums before cutting them.
- Place the plums in a large pot along with the sugar and the lemon juice. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from sticking.
- Let the mixture boil gently for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the plums are completely undone and the jam has thickened. You can check if the jam is ready doing the “cold plate test”: place a small amount of jam on a cold plate (previously in the freezer) and, if when passing the finger through the center a clean road is formed and the jam does not flow back, it is ready.
- While the jam is still hot, pour it into previously sterilized jars. Close the bottles well and place them face down. Let them cool completely before turning them again. This will create a vacuum that will help keep the jam for a longer time.
