"Let's Make Like Jelly, and 'Jam'!!!"

[Muffit]

My old expression from my teens, LOL.

On that subject, tried my hand at making jelly for the first time yesterday. First batch was runny ("It's a bit runny!!!" :laugh:).
Guess I put too much cinnamon. Not to worry, pectin to the rescue!

Didn't turn out too bad for a first try. Even my family likes it, and THAT'S more of a compliment than you can possibly imagine. ;)

I really wanted to imitate the look and taste of a cinnamon jelly my mom used to buy us in the early 60's - came in a tiny jar, right next to the mint jelly. Disappeared around 1965 and haven't seen it since. It was bright red and SOOOOOOOOO yummy. Used to beg my mom for it days before she went shopping. I think I succeeded only about, oh, three times.

Mine turned out brown though, thanks to the apple juice and powdered cinnamon. Also, more apple taste than I was shooting for. Did some research and think I'll get it right next time. I need to use candy-maker's liquid cinnamon, and much less apple juice (corn syrup instead). Then it should turn out clear so the red coloring will take.

Anywho! Am I boring ya yet??????
Guess I'd better jam... ;)
:muffit:

[Rowan]

I love making jelly and jam, going strawberry picking sometime this week and will be making some then.:D

I've never heard of cinnamon Jelly sounds cool though I love cinnamon if you get it perfected maybe you could share the recipe?:D

[unowhoandwhy]

Not boring me, no, but my mind has been boggled by thoughts of cinnamon jam. I like cinnamon, but I'll have to take your word on the yumminess of cinnamon jam.

[Muffit]

Hi Rowan and UWW!!Yeah, I've heard a lot of folks over the years look oddly at me about my love of that childhood cinnamon jelly. But really, it was AWESOME. It was a clear bright red, very little apple taste, strong (but not too strong) cinnamon plus a little something extra I can't pin down.

It was incredible to have on buttered toast for breakfast. And my personal fav (don't upchuck!! ;) ), Jif peanut butter and cinnamon jelly with Velveeta cheese on top!!! Without the bread!!!

Okay, now I've gone and done it... bet you'll think I'm not operating on all thrusters after this :laugh:

:muffit:

[Muffit]

Here's my current cinnamon apple jelly recipe:


4 cups apple juice
1 pkg (1.75 ounces) Sure-Jell
(I had to add 4 tbsps extra Sure-Jell per cup to get it to gel)
4 1/2 cups sugar
7 tsps powdered cinnamon
10 drops red food coloring


Combine sugar, Sure-Jell (pectin) and apple juice in large pan
Bring to full rolling boil
Add cinnamon
Boil for 2 minutes
Remove from heat,and skim off foam
Wait 2 minutes then pour into sterilized jars
Let cool on counter
Store in fridge


Tastes great on buttered toast!


P.S. This makes WAY too much! I got 3 1/2 pints out of it!
For just one jar, maybe cut recipe by two-thirds (not sure
if that will work, gotta try it myself).


You can find the 3-piece jelly jars at any grocery store
(usually in packs of 6 or 12)


Enjoy!!!
Muffit
:muffit:

[Bombadil]

Well, cinammon jelly might not be my favorite thing, but cinammon oil, now, that’s another story entirely!
I don’t know if you still can do this, but in my high school years I used to buy tiny little containers of cinammon oil at the pharmacy counter. Cinammon oil is the stuff that gives atomic fireballs their delightful kick. The preferred method of ingestion was to take a toothpick, soak the toothpick in the oil container for a little while, and then suck on the toothpick. You had to be careful though, until you had built up some tolerance. Otherwise you could end up with a nasty little chemical burn that felt just like a bad sunburn, on any area with which the oil had come in contact. Lips, for example, or, worse, the tender skin surrounding the lips. I got some oil on my fingertip once, then rubbed my upper lip for some reason. The lip turned bright pink and hurt just like a sunburn for some time afterwards. Taught me a lesson.
It’s been a while since I had a cinammon toothpick, but Muffit’s meanderings have made me miss them. . .

[Muffit]

Hi Bombadil! Yep, you can still get cinnamon oil (at least online). In fact, that's what I'm gonna use next time so my jelly will be clear. They say it just takes a few drops.

I remember restaurants used to have those cinnamon toothpicks. And yep, you're right, you can definitely burn yourself pretty good with spices. My older brother has no feeling in his mouth (or not much), so he smothers his food in Lousiana Hot Sauce!

Thanks for the reply!
:muffit:

[Flamingo Girl]

Also, Muffit, you might try adding a couple teaspoons of lemon juice, it might help keep the apple juice from turning so brown.

[julix]

Muffit


You are so talented! Cooking, music, poetry and I checked out muffitland...very cool! :)

[Muffit]

Thanks FG!!!

And thank you too Julix!!!

:heart: :heart: to you both! ;)
:muffit:

[amberstar]

[QUOTE=Rowan]I love making jelly and jam, going strawberry picking sometime this week and will be making some then.:D

Wow Rowan ..........That's my favorite. :D Strawberry Yum!

[bsg1fan1975]

i made grape jelly once with my mother. I have always wanted to try making apple butter. my grandmother used to make it and I get a big jar in Amish Country every year when I go. Lasts me a few months and then I have to buy something else until then.

[unowhoandwhy]

bsg, here'a an easy recipe for apple butter (which is definitely yummy, I may have to try it my self!):

Crock pot apple butter recipe
Apple butter recipe that is made the easy way, by using your crock pot.
Here is an easy way to start the Harvest season off right. Your kitchen will smell of delicious apple butter and you can let the crock-pot do all the cooking. This is a good way for working women to make their own apple butter and take some of the hard work out of the task.


Ingredients:

8 cups applesauce

5 1/2-cups sugar

1-teaspoon oil of cinnamon

1/4-cup vinegar

1/2-cup cinnamon candies

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon


************


-Add all ingredients and cook in crock-pot, uncovered on high setting. Stir the mixture often and cook until desired thickness. This will cook for several hours but you won't mind because a sweet spicy aroma will drift through your house.

[bsg1fan1975]

have to get a crock pot to do this. but could you do me a big favor and send it to my email addy!

[shiningstar]

My old expression from my teens, LOL.

On that subject, tried my hand at making jelly for the first time yesterday. First batch was runny ("It's a bit runny!!!" :laugh:).
Guess I put too much cinnamon. Not to worry, pectin to the rescue!

Didn't turn out too bad for a first try. Even my family likes it, and THAT'S more of a compliment than you can possibly imagine. ;)

I really wanted to imitate the look and taste of a cinnamon jelly my mom used to buy us in the early 60's - came in a tiny jar, right next to the mint jelly. Disappeared around 1965 and haven't seen it since. It was bright red and SOOOOOOOOO yummy. Used to beg my mom for it days before she went shopping. I think I succeeded only about, oh, three times.

Mine turned out brown though, thanks to the apple juice and powdered cinnamon. Also, more apple taste than I was shooting for. Did some research and think I'll get it right next time. I need to use candy-maker's liquid cinnamon, and much less apple juice (corn syrup instead). Then it should turn out clear so the red coloring will take.

Anywho! Am I boring ya yet??????
Guess I'd better jam... ;)
:muffit:


Not at all ........it brings back alot of memories and tastes. My mother
in law is the ABSOLUTE BEST at making JELLY :D

[bsg1fan1975]

grams was the best at it! mom was great too!