And the most essential piece of equipment you'll need is a Jam Maslin pan - this one from Pendeford Housewares is made of aluminium with a polished finish and costs £17.00.  It has a capacity of 8 litres, and has both a bail handle and a side handle to make pouring easy.  It can be used on electric, gas or solid fuel ovens, but not with induction heat.

 

So get picking and start storing up all the summer goodness while you can!

 

 

Here's a quick jam recipe to get you started.

 

You will be surprised just how easy jam is to make using this method; no more standing there stirring and boiling the life out of it for hours on end, this can be made up in less than half an hour.

 

If you have ever made jam before or have seen recipes for it, this one is a little unusual, in that it uses only a third of the sugar normally used in jam recipes. However following this recipe will give you a jam that is:

1 kg fresh raspberries
300gm sugar
2 tablespoons dry pectin (low sugar)
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method:

Combine berries and sugar, cover and bring to a simmer. Skim off any scum and discard. Combine the pectin with a little sugar (to prevent lumps), add to berry mix and gently stir in.  Add lemon juice. Simmer for five minutes and remove from the heat.  To ensure it will set, pour a little onto a saucer or small plate and place in the fridge for 5 minutes.  Pour into sterilised jars (ensure they are heat proof jars) and seal.  The place the jars into a pan of warm water and bring to boil, simmer for 10 minutes

Tip: Add some whole berries just before you pour into the jars, it gives the jam a great texture when eating.

 
This recipe may be used for other berries also.