Currant And Port Jelly Recipes

Steps:

• There is no need to remove the currants from their stalks.
• Put the currants in a preserving pan with the water and simmer gently for 30 minutes, until the fruit is really soft and pulpy.
• Stir from time to time to prevent sticking.
• Spoon the fruit pulp into a jelly bag or cloth attached to the legs of an upturned stool, and leave to strain into a large bowl for at least 12 hours.
• Do not squeeze. Discard the pulp remaining in the jelly bag.
• Measure the extract and return it to the pan with 450g sugar for each 600 ml extract. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved, then boil rapidly for about 15 minutes.
• Test for a set and, when the setting point is reached, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the port, skim the surface with a slotted spoon and pot and cover the jelly.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a small saucepan on the stove, heat the jelly and the mustard together and make sure it is well blended. Set aside.
• Season the pork with salt and pepper.
• In a heavy pan, brown the tenderloins in butter for about 5 minutes or until browned on all sides.
• Place meat in a shallow baking dish and pour the sauce over the meat.
• Sprinkle with rosemary.
• Bake for about 25 minutes until the pork is slightly pink or longer for well done.
• Slice and serve on a platter garnished with rosemary sprigs.

Steps:

• You don't have to top and tail the currants, or even take them off their stems. Simply wash them, put into a preserving pan with 1 3/4 cups of water, then simmer until they are very soft and have released all their juice. This will take about 45 minutes. Strain through a jelly strainer bag or cheesecloth (see p. 33) for several hours or overnight. Do not poke, squeeze, or force the pulp through the bag or you'll get cloudy jelly.
• Measure the juice, put it into the cleaned preserving pan, and bring to a boil. For every cup of juice add 1 cup of sugar, adding it only when the juice is boiling. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, ensuring the sides of the pan are free of undissolved sugar crystals. Then boil rapidly for about 8 minutes, or until the setting point is reached (see p. 41).
• Remove from the heat and stir to disperse any scum, then pour into warm, sterilized jars and seal (see pp. 21-22). Tap the jars to disperse any air bubbles caught in the jelly. Use within 1 year.
• Add a couple of tablespoonfuls of chopped fresh mint to the jelly for the last 2 to 3 minutes of boiling.
• Red currant jelly is the core ingredient of Cumberland sauce, a traditional partner to baked ham and game. Just add 1/4 cup of port, the grated zest of 1 orange and 1 unwaxed lemon, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, a pinch or two of English mustard powder (see p. 202), and perhaps a pinch of ground ginger to 10 tablespoons of red currant jelly.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine currants with 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until fruit has broken down and released its juices, about 8 minutes. Mash the fruit mixture with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon. Strain through a fine sieve into a large measuring cup, pressing on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. You should have about 4 cups juice. Discard solids.
• Place a small plate in the freezer. Return juice to clean saucepan; add sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. When teaspoon of jelly placed on chilled plate ripples if pushed with your finger, it is ready.
• Remove jelly from heat, and skim off any foam from surface. Ladle jelly into sterilized canning jars; wipe rims with a dishtowel. Seal tightly.
• Meanwhile, bring a stockpot of water to a boil over high heat. Using tongs, carefully place filled jars in boiling water, letting them sit 10 minutes. Remove; let cool. If center of jar lids give when pushed with finger, jars have not sealed properly. Jelly in sealed jars will keep up to 1 year. After opening, jelly will keep up to 2 months in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, apple and garlic; sauté until onion is tender and golden, about 12 minutes. Add Port; reduce heat to medium. Simmer until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 30 minutes. Strain mixture; return liquid to saucepan. Discard solids in strainer. Add stock to saucepan; simmer until liquid is reduced to 3/4 cup, about 15 minutes. Stir in currants. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over low heat.)