In the backyard of our new home grows a large, prolific fig tree. The heat of the summer has been working its magic, turning green buds to ripe figs for instant enjoyment by us and some frequent avian diners (and a mouse on at least two occasions we've seen).
Thus far, the ripeness of the fruit has been so piecemeal that we've just enjoyed them as we've plucked them from the tree, maybe 2 or 3 per day. Over the weekend, the Cyclone That Wasn't brought very high temperatures and set that fruit to work! For the first time, we harvested close to a kilo of figs fresh from the tree in one go, so I'm making my first ever attempt at jam.
The starting point (aside from the fig tree, of course) was this super-simple recipe I found online. It requires only five ingredients: figs, sugar, one lemon, one vanilla bean and one cinnamon quill. No frills, not even pectin. Sounded perfect! Whenever I try a new recipe, I always follow it without adaptations the first time around. That way, if I like it (or not), I can make changes accordingly. This recipe calls for a hefty amount of sugar, but I think most jam recipes do. We'll see how it comes out! At the moment, the scent of vanilla and cinnamon wafting through the house is heavenly!
How did it turn out? I just bought the "Blue Chair Jam Book" with hopes of making loads of delicious jams (very sugar-laden jam). I've been going through a pickling phase, making lots of dill pickles and experimenting with vinegars, and making a variety of hot sauses, so I've decided to branch out into the sweet-jar realm...
Posted by: gail | 02/02/2011 at 11:59 PM