Ripe reds in soft sun, Sweetness bursts on eager tongues, Summer's ruby gift.
This recipe uses the rice cooker’s “slow cook” function for a hands-off approach to delicious jam.
Ingredients:
- 500 g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 250 g granulated sugar (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Equipment:
- Rice cooker with a “slow cook” function
- Large spoon
- Small plate
- Glass jars with lids (sterilized for canning)
Instructions:
- In the rice cooker pot, combine the strawberries and sugar. Let the mixture sit for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours, to allow the strawberries to release their juices.
- Add the lemon juice (if using) and stir gently to combine.
- Close the lid of the rice cooker and set it to the “slow cook” function. Depending on your rice cooker, the setting might be labeled differently, but you’re looking for a low heat setting that simmers for several hours.
- Cook for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the jam thickens. The jam is done when it reaches setting point. Here’s how to test:
- Place a small plate in the freezer for 10 minutes before testing.
- Spoon a small amount of jam onto the chilled plate. Let it cool for a minute, then push your finger through it. If the jam wrinkles and forms a “gel” that separates slightly from the rest, it’s set.
- Once the jam is set, turn off the rice cooker and let it cool slightly. You can skim off any foam that forms on the surface, if desired.
- Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized glass jars, leaving about 1 cm of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims clean and seal the jars tightly with lids.
Tips:
- For a smoother jam, pulse the cooked mixture in a food processor for a few seconds before transferring it to jars.
- You can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste. Less sugar will result in a tarter jam.
- This jam can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Recipe by AI Gemini
Upon the vine, the ruby jewels glow, A burst of summer in each tender bite. The strawberries in sunlit gardens grow, Their sweetness sings of warm and gentle light. In fields where laughter mingles with the breeze, The berry's blush a painter's muse could be. Each one a heart-shaped promise, meant to please, A symbol of life's simple purity. With cream or sugar, or just as they stand, They grace the table, nature's own dessert. In every bite, the work of careful hand, A taste of joy, in every drop of mirth. So let us savor every berry's gift, In strawberries, our spirits find a lift.