Monday, June 27, 2011

Homemade Marmalade.


The old mandarin tree in the backyard is laden with sweet and juicy fruit this year.

So best get to work to use this delicious fruit.
Mum was a fruit and vegetable preserver and a jam and marmalade maker.
Dad was the apricot jam expert extraordinaire!
Actually, they made everything when I come to think about it..

So, this is my first time making marmalade and this is basically what I did.

Washed the jam jars in preparation for sterilising them in the oven
Sliced the mandarins in half.


 Scooped out all of the seeds.
Took off all of the pith.



 Wrapped both the seeds and the pith into a small muslin bag.
Apparently the seeds contain pectin that aids the setting process.
(I chose to remove the seeds before cooking as I did not want to sieve the finished product.
I love the country chunky texture)

Julienned the rind from about half of the mandarins.



Put all of the ingredients into a saucepan (including the tightly knotted muslin bag) and let it all bubble away for about two and a half hours.

The ingredients: Mandarins, Sugar, Water and Lemon Juice.
You can find recipes  here and here.
I am a bit naughty with recipes like this - I always modify them to suit our own taste.

After thickening up and discarding the muslin bag, I then scooped the mixture to the sterilised jars and sealed them straight away.
Kept them wrapped up in towels overnight.

And it was marmalade for breakfast this morning.
Mmmm...just delicious...



 Of course, there is the obligatory gift giving ritual with a home-made product with home-grown produce.


There are many more mandarins on the tree so I guess that means more marmalade!
The best part is I don't have to pay for them, which really appeals to the thriftiness in me.

Happy Monday.

Pam

25 comments:

brismod said...

Oh yum - it looks delicious Pam. Such a good use for them. Bill Granger also has a fab recipe for a mandarin and almond cake which is out of this world. xx

Sarah B said...

I've never been a marmalade girl but maybe that's because oranges don't grow super well where I live. Yours look delicious! I adore the little crocheted tops on the jars. Did you make them?

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Pam..those jar covers are just as delicious looking as the marmalade..did you make them?

Raine and Sage said...

YUMMO!! How delicious. I do love marmalade on toast and a cup of tea. I'm a lady you know!
Your food styling and photos here are truly beautiful Pam. These could all be in a cook book!

The Pink Poodle said...

Hi Pam....looks absolutely scrumptious...I have never made jam or marmalade...
too scared i will mess it up so i leave it to my mum..

have a great week...xx andrea

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh my, the gift in the jar is beautiful! The marmalade is colorful and beautiful. I can imagine there will be some good biscuits and marmalade with tea (or is it coffee?) around your place.
Brenda

Linda Lilly Cottage said...

Oh you are so clever on so many fronts...growing mandarins for a start, making marmalade and taking the most divine photos of it all. Well done!! It looks wonderful and I am sure it tastes wonderful too ( not being a marmalade person myself, I shall take your word for it...I am not a lady like Raine and Sage .heheheheehee).
Fabulous post,
Kiss Noises Linda

Thea said...

I love marmalade! At least you know yours is additive free. Looks nicely packaged too. x

Deb said...

That looks delicious! I have to tell you though that your blue and white took the most of my attention.

Anne said...

Well that looks just delicous, motivates me to get to work on my mandarin harvest.

Jenny said...

Yum! My Mum also makes jam with mandarins. I love your blue and white jars too! Enjoy! ;-)

Heirloom treasures said...

Pam you did a lovely job, your mum would be proud. Love the little crocheted covers too.
Maybe if you can get your hands on some free lemons you might like to try lemon butter.
5 eggs well beaten
juice and zest of 4 lemons
1/4lb(125gms) butter
11b(500grms) sugar
Stir constantly in a bowl ontop of a saucepan of water on a low flame until thick. Jar as for marmalade, but keep in the refrigerator.enjoy x

DbrhH. said...

If that was you first go at jam making well done!! Yesterday I made orange marmalade in my bread maker for the first time. Turned out OK, but I could have cut the fruit smaller. Crochted jar covers are great.

DbrhH. said...

If that was you first go at jam making well done!! Yesterday I made orange marmalade in my bread maker for the first time. Turned out OK, but I could have cut the fruit smaller. Crochted jar covers are great.

The Cloth Shed said...

How fantastic to have a mandarin tree in your own backyard...
Don't get many of those in the UK!
Love your crochet tops for the jars too.
Have a good week...
Julie x

**Anne** said...

Your marmalade looks fantastic. Such a nice way to use the fruit from your tree.
Anne xx

Catherine said...

Hello Pam, what gorgeous pictures! I am looking forward to the navel oranges that will be ready here in the next month or two.. they make the most delicious marmalade, with the addition of a grapefruit or two. What was the story with wrapping the jars in towels overnight? Yes, adorable crocheted covers indeed..especially over the red lids. Much love Catherine

Tiff said...

Pam, that marmalade looks amazing! I don't eat it myself, but I love the idea of it! My great aunt makes it every year and so does my mum. Yours looks so good in those jars and home made is always better than store-bought! Those crochet jar covers are gorgeous! X

polkadotpeticoat said...

Looks so yummy from start to finish!

the old boathouse said...

Yummo!! Love the crochet covers, too cute xx Katherine

beachvintage.com said...

Hi Pam, wow, firstly what a beautiful tree! Envy! And second, I absolutely love homemade jams and chutneys. Divine. Have a great week, have lots of catching up to do on your blog xx

Kellie Collis said...

Yummy! And the shots are amazing! Have a lovely day, Kellie xx

helen tilston said...

Delicious marmalade. Can I come for breakfast tomorrow? Love your blog and thank you for visiting me
Helen Tilston

Cornflakes and Honey said...

Your marmalade looks delish! Love the blue and white. You know I have exactly the same little ginger jars as in your first photo. They are an absolute favourite and give me so much joy when I see them!

Mikko Tyllinen said...

Looks absolutely fantastic! very beautiful!