strawberries

[Carolyn]

I am inundated with strawberries (just moved to a new house and didn't realized the old owner had planted so many). Have frozen lots and am looking for some tried and true strawberry recipes, especially strawberry jam. (Can you use frozen strawberries when making the jam? I have never made jam before. Is the freezer kind easier?) Strawberry recipes for anything, not just desserts, would be greatly appreciated!

[Mamasue]

Carolyn,

I just made jam on Tuesday and it came out real well. The recipe is inside the sure-jel package that I followed for strawberry jam. I didn't make the freezer kind. I too had three bags of frozen whole strawberries from last June and decided that its time to make jam with them. This was my first attempt to make jam, so you can do it too. I had started a thread a few days ago on help for jam making.....will bring that thread up for you to read. Good Luck

[Pat]

The freezer jam recipe inside the sure-jel package for strawberries is awesome! I freeze in small containers and use all winter. Not only are they good used in the traditional way, but they are excellent as toppings for poundcakes, ice cream, pancakes, waffles; I could go on and on. I just set a container in the refrigerator to defrost overnight. They will then keep in the refrigerator for several weeks if not eaten before then. If my children visit, they won't last long.

[Anne]

Hi Carolyn. A quick answer to your question about using frozen berries for jam. They work fine for a puree type jam but not as well as fresh for a chunky preserve type jam. Freezing breaks down the cell membranes in fruit so the thawed berries have a more juicy, less firm texture than fresh. This is to your advantage if you decide to make jelly instead of jam. I use the low sugar versions of the pectin and follow directions on the package. This will not have quite the same texture or clarity (for jelly) as the full sugar version but I think the really fruity flavor without all the sugar is worth it.

[emily]

i too have made the strawberry orange muffins and love them - very moist with a great flavor. from that same issue (last summer sometime) there's also a recipe for a strawberry fool (strawberries mixed with a sweet yogurt) that was also excellent.

[LauraEllen]

We also have a big strawberry patch, although our season has already ended by now. When they are in full swing we can get a couple of baskets a day. My favorite quick use is to throw them in a blender with an overripe banana, non-fat yogurt and some juice - maybe a little crushed ice to chill it. Great smoothie for breakfast. Strawberries have a lot of vitamin C and are high in fiber.

[Tiffany]

I found a recipe on this site not to long ago that was for "Strawberry Muffins". They were quite yummy! If you can't find the recipe, let me know and I will post it for you!

[Beth]

Carolyn, I can't vouch for the Sure Jell recipe since I usually don't addd pectin. I have used frozen berries to make jam and syrup. Don't thaw, just start on low heat and stir is fine. Raise the heat as you get enough liquid to prevent sticking or scortching.

Looking at several recipes, it looks like 2 qts berries to about 6 cups sugar, with 2-3 T of lemon juice in some recipes and not in others. The recipes with added pectin usually cook a shorter time, but may have a bit more sugar. There are pectins made for lower sugar versions.

If you want to venture from the pure, here's a recipe for Strawberry Grand Marnier Jam:

4 1/2 cups fresh (or frozen) strawberries
3 cups sugar
1/4 cup Gand Marnier

Put berries and sugar in large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Raise heat and cook for about 30 minutes, or until mixture thickens to jamlike. Remove from heat. Stir in Grand Marnier. Immediately ladle into hot jars, seal and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

[Kristilyn1]

I have made the strawberry-orange muffins and they were very good(do a search and the recipe comes up) they also have a brandied strawberry jam, which I can't vouch for as I didn't make it. I hear the sparkling strawberry lemonade is excellent and if you are interested (will have to look it up at home) the CL strawberry and feta salad is excellent.

Kristi

[Carolyn]

Many thanks to all of you who posted suggestions. I'm going to be brave and make the jam today (and possibly the muffins, judging by the number of bright red berries I can see from my window this morning.) I appreciate all your help!