Something a bit different this time - my first attempt at making preserves. It's something I've been meaning to try for a while, but never got round too. I suppose that's what this blog is all about!
My mission started with the purchase of a most ginormous bag of sugar. 5kg, to be precise. It was about as big as Megan, and she's a little pudding! In fact, you hear about babies being born 'smaller than a bag of sugar'. Well, at 9lb 4oz, she was!
The technique was surprisingly easy. For those of you who haven't made marmalade before... Basically, you boil the oranges for a couple of hours. When they are cool, you scoop out the soft middles and squeeze through a muslin to strain the juice. Chop up the zest, then put into a large pan with the juice and cooking water. Then boil rapidly for about 20 minutes until it's set. Finally, pour into sterilised jam jars.
I was really pleased with my efforts, and the row of jars sitting on the windowsill is giving me delusions of being a domestic goddess! Did make one error... I halved the original recipe, then cooked it in 2 batches as i didn't have a big enough pan. Still boiled it for 20 minutes, but I think this was much too long. The marmalade has set like glue! I've googled 'overset jam' and apparently, adding boiling water will soften it. Ah well, all part of the learning curve, I suppose.
Haven't been put off though, and I love the idea of giving homemade preserves as presents. Perhaps not this batch, though!
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