Put 3 small plates into fridge ready for jam set testing at the end of the process.

Place the elderberries in a pan together with the chopped apple and water. Cover and simmer gently for 40 minutes until the fruit is soft.

(Pressure King Pro – PKP – set to ‘jam’ for 40 minutes – valve open, lid closed for this step.)

For the next step ensure all sugar is thoroughly dissolved before boiling the jam.

Add the sugar and stir until it has all dissolved. (Adding the sugar at this stage rather than at the start prevents tough fruit skin in the jam).

Once all of the sugar has dissolved, stir in the lemon juice and butter or oil (if using). At this stage check for the balance of sweet/tart and add more lemon juice if desired.

Bring to a rolling boil for 10-15 minutes. Do not cover and don’t be tempted to stir too much during this phase as it cools the mixture, just stir enough to satisfy yourself that the jam isn’t sticking to the bottom.

For the PKP set to multicook 125 degrees C and leave it open -stir only a little-as above. Set time to 10-15 minutes. If not boiling sufficiently increase the temperature on PKP by a degree or two (this depends on how much you stir-the more you stir the higher the set temp needs to be).

Once the jam has boiled for 10-15 minutes remove it from the heat.

Test for set by putting a teaspoon of jam mix onto a cold plate and checking for wrinkles when cool. If you have wrinkles when you move the cooled jam, you are done. If not boil the jam for another few minutes, remove from heat and test again.

Once the jam is setting on the cold plate fill your sterilised jars with tasty and healthy elderberry and apple jam.

I sterilise my jars by either:

putting them through the normal 65 degrees C wash in the dishwasher (90 minute cycle) – I set the program just as I start making the jam so they are nice and hot when the jam is ready

OR

heating them in the oven at 100 degrees C as I am heating the sugar then leave them in the hot oven until ready to use.

Always fill the jars when both jars and jam are hot and seal quickly to maintain the sterile environment.

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12/3 KetoFlex

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