Mint Jelly (food color free) Recipe Cook.me Recipes from cook.me
Introduction
Mint jelly is a sweet and tangy condiment that pairs well with lamb, venison, and other savory meats. It's also great as a glaze for roasted vegetables or as a topping for toast or crackers. Making mint jelly at home is surprisingly easy, and it's a great way to use up a surplus of fresh mint. In this article, we'll show you how to make your own mint jelly from scratch.
Ingredients
To make mint jelly, you'll need: - 4 cups of fresh mint leaves - 4 cups of water - 1 lemon, juiced - 1 package of powdered pectin - 4 cups of granulated sugar - Green food coloring (optional)
Fresh Mint Leaves
You'll need a lot of fresh mint leaves for this recipe, so it's a great way to use up a bumper crop of mint from your garden. You can use any variety of mint, but spearmint is the most commonly used for making mint jelly.
Pectin
Pectin is a natural thickening agent that's used in many jelly and jam recipes. It's available in powdered form and can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
Sugar
Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the jelly and help it set properly. You can use regular white sugar or organic cane sugar if you prefer.
Green Food Coloring (optional)
If you want your mint jelly to have a bright green color, you can add a few drops of green food coloring to the mixture. This is optional, of course, and won't affect the flavor of the jelly.
Instructions
Making mint jelly is a simple process that involves steeping fresh mint leaves in water, straining out the leaves, and then adding sugar and pectin to the liquid to create a jelly-like consistency. Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Prepare the Mint Leaves
Wash the mint leaves thoroughly and remove any stems or discolored leaves. Chop the leaves into small pieces using a sharp knife or a food processor.
Step 2: Steep the Mint Leaves
Place the chopped mint leaves in a large pot with 4 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. This will infuse the water with the mint flavor.
Step 3: Strain the Mixture
Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the mint leaves. You should have about 3 cups of liquid at this point.
Step 4: Add Pectin and Sugar
Return the strained liquid to the pot and stir in the powdered pectin. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Once it's boiling, add the sugar and lemon juice and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step 5: Cook the Jelly
Reduce the heat to medium-high and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The jelly should start to thicken and coat the back of a spoon.
Step 6: Test the Jelly
To test if the jelly is ready, place a small spoonful on a chilled plate and let it cool for a minute. If it's set and doesn't run when you tilt the plate, it's ready. If it's still runny, let it cook for a few more minutes and test again.
Step 7: Can the Jelly
Once the jelly is ready, remove the pot from the heat and skim off any foam that's formed on top. If you're using food coloring, add a few drops now and stir until it's evenly distributed. Then, ladle the hot jelly into sterilized jars and seal them with lids and bands.
Step 8: Store the Jelly
Let the jars cool to room temperature, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. You can also process the jars in a water bath canner if you want to store them at room temperature for longer.
Nutrition
Mint jelly is a sweet condiment that's high in sugar and calories. One tablespoon of mint jelly contains approximately: - 60 calories - 15 grams of carbohydrates - 14 grams of sugar While mint jelly is a delicious addition to many dishes, it's best consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
