It's the perfect healthy breakfast dish....a yogurt parfait with homemade berry jam. Nonie from the Mansion at Noble Lane prepares one for us.
Jam
1 C. berries or fruit (When my berries or peaches etc. start getting too soft I throw them into a container in the freezer until I accrue enough)
3/4 C. sugar
1 C. water
zest from one lemon
1TB. fresh lemon juice
Bring sugar and water to a boil
Reduce heat and add fruit
Bring back to a simmer
Mash fruit (this will speed up the process!)
reduce heat to a simmer
stir sporadically (so a "skin" doesn't develop)
reduce mixture to about half it's size.
the jam will thicken as it cools.
too thick? stir in a little water or lemon juice
too thin? put back in pan and reduce further
too sweet? add more lemon juice or zest - remember more juice means more liquid=thinner jam
but the acid of the lemon will balance out the sweetness.
Also do not add juice or zest until you have the desired consistency (after cooling) since reheating lemon juice will produce a bitter taste
this works for blackberries too! (hee hee)
Makes about 1 1/2 C. jam - after 5 -7 days put in freezer but mine never lasts that long!