Thursday, September 15, 2011

Italian plum and blueberry freezer jam

I love to eat Italian plums...the small, oval shaped dark purple ones.....so when I saw the bin of plums at the local grocery store I had to bring a few home and give making a new flavour of freezer jam, a try!  Our family loves blueberry jam, and so I thought to combine the two fruits for fun.

Now the package says to cut up or hand mash the fruit....but I have used the blender to puree strawberries and blueberries for freezer jams in the past, and it has worked out just fine...I actually believe the blueberry jam tasted better with the pureed berries and so much easier to spread on toast!

I used CLUB HOUSE, Garden Fare No Cook Freezer Jam gelling powder.  It called for 4 C. of cut up fruit/ 45 g package.  Please follow the package for amount of fruit to be used, otherwise your results may not turn out.

Italian plum & blueberry freezer jam ingredients:

  • 13 Italian plums (blended, makes 2 C plum puree)
  • 2 C frozen wild blueberries
  • 1.5 C raw sugar
  • 1 package freezer jam gelling powder


Here is how I did it in my OnmiBlend V blender:
  • wash 13 plums, removing the pits, place in blender
  • blend on 'low' just until the plums are blended but chunky, you may want to use your tamper to move the plums to the blades
  • press 'low' button again to stop blender
  • add 2 C frozen wild blueberries
  • blend on 'low' again until the blueberries have been pulled down into the blades for a few seconds
  • press ' low' button again to stop blender
  • leave the fruit a bit chunky and empty into glass mixing bowl, using a wooden or plastic spatula (metal utensils may dull the blades)
  • add 1.5 C raw sugar
  • stir in and let stand for 30 min.
now this is where you should look back at the instructions on  your package of gelling powder.
  • stir again and then slowly sprinkle gelling powder a little at a time onto fruit mixture while stirring for 3 minutes
  • allow to stand for 5 minutes
  • gently stir again for 1 minute
  • pour jam into clean jars, leaving 1 inch head space
  • jam is ready to eat!  YUM!!!
  • store in refrigerator and use within 6 weeks or store in freezer for up to 1 year.

all mixed and in the final 5 minutes of, "setting time"


makes aprox. 4.5 C of jam

I had to try a piece, thus only 3/4 of the toast....it is my new favorite!

this will make a fantastic hostess gift for a morning coffee visit with a friend

This was a very fun afternoon project, while my little guy was having his nap.  I think the family will enjoy this plum and blueberry jam....I know I did! (while writing this post...hehehe!)

Enjoy!
Amber

Friday, September 2, 2011

orange blender muffins

A friend came by for coffee yesterday, and brought the most delicious orange muffins...that she processed in the blender!  I just had to make them and share it with you, so she kindly sent me the recipe, and they turned out great!  I remember making orange loaf in the past and grating the zest as well as squeezing the juice from the fruit by hand...that took some time!  Oh, how fast they are to put together when using the blender!  
Thanks D!

orange blender muffin recipe:

2 whole un-peeled oranges
1/2 cup orange juice
1 large egg (or 1/4 cup cooking oil)
1/2 cup margarine (butter or cooking oil work, too)
1 3/4 cup flour (I use whole wheat)...if using light spelt flour, up it to 2C
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup raisins
Cut oranges into 8 wedges (remove seeds if any). 
Process orange juice and oranges in the blender until smooth
then add margarine or oil and process again.
Measure into a separate bowl, flour, sugar baking powder and baking soda and mix well.  Add raisins.  Pour contents from blender and stir just to moisten.  Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.  Cool in pan for 5 minutes then remove onto cooling rack.  Makes 16 muffins (or 12 large muffins).
Pour yourself a great cup of coffee and enjoy! ☺
this all went into the blender...yes, the whole orange, with peel! (egg without the egg shell of course)



the orange puree...60 seconds with the OmniBlend V blender.

muffin batter ready for the oven




fresh out of the oven...smells delish!

these muffins are so tasty and the orange peel adds a fantastic flavour



Happy Blending!
Amber