Microwave Plum Orange Jam Recipes

Steps:

• Place sugar, lemon juice and plums in a deep 8 cup microwavable container (I use a pyrex measure).
• Microwave, uncovered on High for 2 1/2 minutes, stir. REPEAT twice more.
• Microwave, uncovered, on High 15 - 18 minutes, STIRRING every 4 minutes until it will form a gel.
• Ladle into hot sterilized jars. Wipe rims, remove any air bubbles, add hot lids and rings.
• Process 5 minutes in boiling water bath.

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine plums and orange juice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 5-7 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally. Stir in pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar, orange zest and cinnamon; return to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir 1 minute. , Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into 10 hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight., Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

Steps:

• Sterilise the jars and any other equipment before you start (see tip). Put a couple of saucers in the freezer, as you'll need these for testing whether the jam is ready later (or use a sugar thermometer). Put the plums in a preserving pan and add 200ml water. Bring to a simmer, and cook for about 10 mins until the plums are tender but not falling apart. Add the sugar, ground cinnamon and lemon juice, then let the sugar dissolve slowly, without boiling. This will take about 10 mins.
• Increase the heat and bring the jam to a full rolling boil. After about 5 mins, spoon a little jam onto a cold saucer. Wait a few seconds, then push the jam with your fingertip. If it wrinkles, the jam is ready. If not, cook for a few mins more and test again, with another cold saucer. If you have a sugar thermometer, it will read 105C when ready.
• Take the jam off the heat and add the cinnamon sticks (if using) and the knob of butter. The cinnamon will look pretty in the jars and the butter will disperse any scum. Let the jam cool for 15 mins, which will prevent the lumps of fruit sinking to the bottom of the jars. Ladle into hot jars, seal and leave to cool. Will keep for 1 year in a cool, dark place. Chill once opened.

Steps:

• Pit plums but do not peel.
• Coarsely chop.
• Place in a 16-cup microwave-safe dish; stir in orange peel, sugar and lemon juice.
• Stir well.
• Microwave, uncovered, on High for about 15 minutes, until mixture comes to a full roiling boil and boils for 1 minute.
• Stir well 3 times during cooking.
• Immediately stir in pectin.
• Skim off foam with a metal spoon.
• Continue stirring often and skimming off foam for 10 minutes.
• Pour into sterilized jars and seal.