ALMOST INSTANT PLUM & GINGER JAM, low-sugar, quick & easy, wallet friendly

Makes the most of well-priced plums but any fresh fruit & spice will do...

Low-sugar Plum & Ginger Jam on pancakes, made in minutes
'Incredible!! Loved the chunks of plum & the warmth of ginger at the back of the throat.'

updated 21 Jan 2018

Plenty of punnets of reasonably priced purple plums and nectarines around at the moment.

Either will make gorgeous Almost Instant Jam/compotes and will be a welcome addition to any household.

Preservative-free and very low in sugar, the Jam is much healthier than opening a jar of mass-produced -- and takes almost as little time.

First named 'weekend jam' because it can be easily cobbled together on a dozy weekend morning, it's likely to be consumed at a single sitting -- it uses only four plums.   

As much a compote as jam, chunky with juicy fruit, rich with spice, it has only enough sugar to enhance the flavour without overwhelming it.  

The recipe can be doubled.  Though it's at its best shortly after it is made, the jam will keep in the fridge for a couple of days.

Cost: £1.50'ish 
Serves: 4

Ingred:
    4 plums, stone removed
    1 tbsp butter
    min 1, max 2 tbsp brown sugar

    1 generous tsp fresh grated ginger, skin removed
    1-2 pinches dried ginger (to taste)

    1/2 tsp good vanilla
    2-4 tbsp water

    1-2 tbsp fresh orange juice

Method:

1. Soak plums in water for 10 mins
2. Heat a heavy bottom med frying pan over med heat
3. Cut each plum into 8 slices and then halve the slices 
4. When pan is ready, melt butter
5. Add plums & sugar, stirring to coat on all sides 1-2 mins
6. Stir in gingers; toss

   

   Plum & Ginger jam 

7. Add vanilla, a couple of tablespoons of water; simmer 3-4 mins or until fruit is beginning to collapse and a jammy sauce is formed
8. Taste; add more sugar if needed
9. Add orange juice
10. Take off the heat
11. Remove a quarter of the  mix; mash or roughly process; stir into the rest of the jam
12. To thicken further, put back on hob until desired thickness is reached
13. Serve on pancakes, toast, yoghurt or ice cream

Comments:
'The plum and ginger Jam was incredible!! Loved the chunks of fresh plum and the warmth of the ginger at the back of your throat.'  Office Administrator 
'Great jam!' Political Agent


Tips:

• kids may not like the ginger in this 
• add a shot of brandy for another layer of flavour
• if using nectarines, replace ginger with dried cinnamon and a pinch of allspice
• if you liked this, you will probably also like frugal Instant Fruit Compote
• the compote/jam can be frozen once cooled but after defrosting must be reheated; taste; it will likely need a little more sugar and/or spice 

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Copyright: This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.