Crab Apples,
Windfalls
and
Mint from the Herb Garden
~ Apple and Mint Jelly ~
This jelly has been entered into Susan’s Home-Made and Well Preserved challenge over at her blog:
Not Just Any Old Baking Blogspot
Thanks so much for all of your supportive comments yesterday, my catering went very smoothly and everyone was extremely happy! I made Chicken, Chickpea and Apricot Tagine with Spiced Couscous and Cumin Scented Roast Vegetables followed by Almond and Orange Flower Water Baked Sponge Pudding for twenty people. I worked most of the day with the odd tweet (tweet as in twitter and NOT treat!) now and then and also imbibed in the cook’s privilege of the odd tipple ~ I find I am more “creative” with a wine in my cheffy hands ~ don’t you?
I will feature this recipe (Chicken, Chickpea and Apricot Tagine) on my blog one day soon……..however, I DID leave you with a taste of what was to come yesterday, and that was fruity, glowing jellies ~ made with Autumn fruits, and now all labled and ready to store away for a drear dark day in the midst of Winter……all bursting with the very essence of my orchard and herb garden.
This is my lovely Apple and Mint Jelly, made with crab apples and windfalls, and such a pretty rosy colour with dark green flecks of mint suspended in it. I also made Quince Jelly too ~ as some of you will remember from the photos, but that is for another day…..I don’t want to over gild the jelly today. The crab apples add that wonderful pink hue to the jelly and this is a wee belter when served with lamb and game, as well as with a cheeseboard. I also like it as a glaze on meats and posh open apple tarts, the mint adding a fresh note to the overall sweetness.
This jelly is an Autumn breeze to make and any other herbs can be added in place of mint, such as rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme. I wanted to use some of my more straggly mint plants for this, so mint it was on the day. Use a mixture of apples as I did and not just cooking apples. These will obviously make great gifts for food orientated friends and for Christmas, just add a few decorative embellishments on and about the jar. I am nearly at the end of preserving now, just a few more quince recipes to develop and test and then maybe a pear liqueur to make and drink lay down for the festive period……all to follow here soon.
I used 1.5 kilos (about 3lbs) of apples, and the yield was 3 half pound pots, which is quite good…….I will post the quantities that I used here as a guide, but it really is all down to how much juice is extracted overnight to how many pots you will make……but the formula remains the same, to every 1 pint (600ml) of juice, you need 1lb sugar (450g). I leave the choice of herbs and apples in your capable hands, but I do love the combination of crab apples, Bramleys and Braeburns with the mint as I made here.
Apple and Mint Jelly
Ingredients:
1.5 kilos (3lb) Mixed apples, such as crab apples, Coxes, Braeburns and Bramley apples
Large bunch fresh mint
600ml (1 pint) cider apple vinegar
Cane Sugar
4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
Method:
1. Put the apples in a heavy-based pan with enough water to cover them. Add a large bunch of mint and then bring to the boil and simmer until the apples are soft ~ about 30 to 45 minutes depending on type of apples.
2. Add the cider apple vinegar and cook for a further 5 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat, put the contents of the pan into a jelly bag and allow to drip into another container overnight.
4. Measure the liquid and put in a pan with sugar, allowing 450g (1lb) sugar to 600ml (1 pint) liquid.
5. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved and then boil briskly until setting point. (Remove any scum at this point)
6. Turn off the heat and cool slightly before stirring in the freshly chopped mint.
7. Pot into small cooled, sterilised jars, cover and label. Store in a dark, cool and dry place.
See you tomorrow with a show and tell story; I won a PRIZE at Judith’s lovely blog A Trifle Rushed and I will show you my booty as well as post more musings, recipes and photos…….see you later.
Karen
Marie says
Your jelly looks fab Karen. I used to make a lot of jellies, jams and preserves back in Canada. My favourite was always the Crabapple and Sage jelly that I made. Oh, it was some good. It was a real treat to get my hands on the deep red crabapples as the jelly they made was also a beautiful crimson! I used to love to look at my shelves after canning season and see all the jars lined up and twinkling, coloured like pretty jewels! Such a satisfying labour! Well done you!
Karen S Booth says
Thanks Marie! Yes, I love the rosy hue of crab apples,I used a mixture in this jelly, so not as red as usual…but still pretty! I am at that stage now, admiring my handiwork in the pantry ~ the shelves are fair glowing with preserved produce!
Karen
Eggs on the Roof says
Looking at this magnificent, jewelled stack of jelly I'm kicking myself for turning down my neighbour's offer of a mountain of crab apples. More fool me… Your apple and mint jelly is stunning.
Brownieville Girl says
Crab Apple Jelly is possible my favourite thing in the whole world – I love your variation.
Annie says
As ever … yum !!! I adore crab apple jelly. Crab apple jelly with mint sounds divine 😀
Victoria says
siiiiiigh
Kentish Keg-Meg says
Lovely, lovely jelly. So many recipes to try from your posts but this will go to the top of my list. Thank you Karen.
La Table De Nana says
Love your description of your wine in hand:)
it does go well together.
It is a treat to have a glass of wine while preparing something lovely..
We made our pepper jelly yesterday..loved the morning..
yours sounds divine w/ the mint:)
Lauren says
My parents' street has several crab apple trees right out in the medians, but they must all be in people's yards where I live!
I don't think I've ever had apple and mint jelly. Sounds yummy, though!
Magic of Spice says
What an absolutely delightful combination…gorgeous jelly!
A Vintage Chic says
Oh, so beautiful, Karen! Love the light streaming in through your jellies–so lovely!
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, my friend…
Julie
Janice says
Well done on the prize and the jellies look so delicious.
Working london mummy says
what lovely colours. you have inspired me – have been shopping for preserve making equipment this weekend x
From Beyond My Kitchen Window says
The jelly looks yummy. I love how the mint is suspended in the smooth apple jelly.
kellie@foodtoglow says
Gorgeous as always, Karen. We have apples of unknown type growing in our garden that may be perfect here as they are a cross between a cooker and a dessert. I doubt my effort will be as photogenic though – perfect suspension. Congrats on your win and making such a delish sounding meal for 20. I do that occasionally but would never be organised enough to tweet while doing so. And, can't drink while cooking: any disaster or disappointment has always been when I have had a wee cheeky glass. Glad that doesn't affect you that way.
Susie says
I shall try this!
Karen Burns-Booth says
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do Susie!
Ric says
Quick query – how much is a “bunch” of mint?
Karen Burns-Booth says
That’s a bit of a “how long is a piece of string” kind of question and is hard to answer – when I make this, I usually pick about 50g in weight of mint, which is quite a lot! Hope that helps, Karen
Ric says
Perfect results, thanks