Sunday, January 20, 2013

Easy Dried Apricot Jam-And A New Kitchen Toy

This is a super simple small batch of jam that's great with cream cheese on your morning bagel! I've seen a few different recipes and methods and decided to come up with an easy one that was quick.
(Quick-must be that Philly thing again:@) 
I am very pleased with it and will be making it often!
My Walmart has 3oz of apricots for 98¢, that makes about 8oz of jam which comes to approx $1.40. It has less sugar than store bought, not to mention whatever other undesirables the factory adds in...
A note about flavorings: I chose lemon juice and just a few grates of lemon zest. Bloggy Buddy BJ makes a version HERE with almond extract. Food In Jars made a version using vanilla extract HERE

As for my new kitchen toy-
I used these Kuhn Rikon Snips that I got from QVC, boy did they work great! I've cut apricots with my chef's knife before and they stuck and got gunky, not with these snips.

Dried Apricot Jam
3 oz dried apricots, cut/chopped
1 C boiling water
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 C sugar-more or less to taste
Lemon zest-I ran 1/3 of the lemon down the grater about 4 times, you just want a touch to brighten it.
  1. Place cut apricots in a small bowl.
  2. Pour boiling water over them and let sit for 3 hours.
  3. Pour apricots and water into small food processor and give a good 10 pulses or more. The consistency you see will approximately be your jam, you decide if you want it chunkier or smoother. Note: Please do not put the apricots in the food processor before soaking-not good!
  4. Pour into a pan (I used a flared 8" skillet). Heat over medium high, stirring constantly, when you see the first bubbles reduce heat to medium-low maintaining a low bubble and cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. (Apricots will scorch, keep 'em moving!)
  5. Add sugar, start with 1/8 C, carefully taste it (it's hot) and add more until you're happy-it's your jam:@)
  6. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low simmer and cook for one minute stirring constantly.
  7. Turn off heat, add the lemon zest, stir and pour into a clean jar.
  8. Cool, add a lid and store in the fridge. Don't know how long it will stay good... doesn't last long enough to find out!
Eat well and have a happy day:@)

I'm joining:
Mix It Up Monday
On The Menu Monday

23 comments:

  1. Very yummy sounding! Be good on an English muffin!

    Carol

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  2. I want some right now on my pancakes.I see you an I are up early and both are thinking of good foodies,I must try this,I have some very sharp poultry shears(never used on a chicken-teehehe).
    Now must get to grocery after church today,I love this jam recipe,loven' me some apricot,we can make it as sweet(or not) as we like.
    ~JO @LoblollyLane

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  3. sounds delish.. gonna try your method for sure.. thanks~!

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  4. I'm so happy to have this recipe, Lynn. Apricot is my favorite jam and I like being able to make a small batch. I have never used dried apricots before. I can almost taste it now.

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  5. I use preserves a lot and I would love to make it at home, quickly and little batches! Thanks so much for sharing this, I can't wait to try it :)

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  6. What a great recipe. I've never made apricot jam before. Love those new shears! QVC has the best gadgets, I have a kitchen full of them!

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  7. This sounds great, I need to do a Wal-Mart run. Love those scissors. I am a QVC gal myself. I like apricot jam on chicken or baked ham, yummy. Stay warm, Lynn! xo

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  8. Mmmmm that looks good - going to try it soon. Thanks

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  9. My sister introduced me to Kuhn Rikon Snips --- they are awesome!!

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  10. This sounds so good and easy! I never tried dried fruit to make jam. THanks for sharing. : )

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  11. I love apricots and apricot jam. One of my favorite appetizers is brie with warmed apricot preserves and toasted almonds. Can't wait to make this!

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  12. yummo!!! I have never had apricot jam before ~ believe that!!! This sounds so delicious! Keep your fingers crossed!!! : )

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  13. I am going to make this for sure. I love to make jam but I usually make a large amount at a time and use sure jell. I guess it isn't needed for your small amount of jam and the way you cook it. It looks delish!!!
    xo, Jeanne

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  14. Would be great on an English muffin. Love your new snips.
    Sam

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  15. I absolutely must make this for my husband. Dried apricots are among his favorite tastes. I need to check out BJ's recipe too. I've been so absent due to family stuff that I'm behind here and there (and everywhere)

    Pinning this one!

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  16. Sounds wonderful, Lynn! I have some dried apricots right now in the pantry, too. It's good to know about WM' s brand. Thanks for the tip on your new kitchen snips. Kuhn Richon is a good brand.

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  17. Sounds easy enough for me to do it and I always have apricots on hand.

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  18. Hi Lynnie! Oh, this looks so good! Wish I were your neighbor because I'll bet you'd share! :)
    Thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  19. I bet this tastes waaaay better than the store-bough ones!

    Following your lovely blog's GFC. I blog @ Why?

    I am also inviting you to join Tiddle Diddle Handmade Shoppe's first giveaway event.

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  20. Hi Lynn,
    that sounds great and easy. I will try it.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  21. That sounds good! DH uses apricot in his rugelach, I am sure the homemade jams are better than bought.
    Good to know about the scissors! Hope you linked to mrrebates.com as QVC offers a discount through them!

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  22. A must try recipe! I love your handy snips, they look heavy duty and definitely up to the challenge of cutting apricots!

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