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It’s that time of year again! (marmalade)

44 replies

viques · 31/01/2022 19:13

Mine is bubbling away, sugar added, plates in the freezer, jars warming in the oven.

For people who have never tried making it it is a very satisfying way of spending a winters afternoon.

Any more marmalade fans? There must be some around, the guy in the Waitrose where I got my Seville’s said “you are the sixth person this morning to ask me where the marmalade oranges are.”

OP posts:
justjuggling · 31/01/2022 23:19

I’d love to have a go! Do you have a trusty recipe you could share?

viques · 01/02/2022 12:24

Most of the recipes are the same! It’s about proportions, so for a kilo of oranges you would use 2 litres of water and 2 kilos of sugar. Plus a lemon but I don’t always bother with the lemon. I use granulated sugar.

You would also need clean jam jars, (I like to use screw on lids so make sure the lids are un damaged , or you could buy cellophane lids, ) , a citrus squeezer , a sieve , a muslin cloth and a large saucepan. A jam funnel is also very useful and saves a lot of stickiness and burns. I also use those waxed paper lids inside the screw on lids.

Wash the jars and lids well, I put them through the dishwasher. I used two kilos of oranges yesterday and filled 10 large and four small jars. Better to prepare more than you use, I always do a few small ones to give away.

Wash the oranges and discard the remains of the stalk.Cut them in half and squeeze out the juice. Pour the juice through a sieve over the pan so you save the pips. When you have squeezed all the oranges get a teaspoon and scoop out all the pith from the orange halves. It comes out easily. Save the pith.

Everything will be a bit sticky so wipe down. Get a sharp knife, cut each orange half into two, put the pieces on top if each other and slice thinly. Ditto the lemon if using.Put all the slices into your pan with the juice, add the water. Put all the pips and pith into the muslin and knot or tie it very securely. Put this in the pan.

Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for about two hours stirring occasionally until the orange peel feels soft.

At this point put the jars in a low oven , about 50, to warm through .

Also at this point put a couple of small plates in your freezer.

Slowly stir in the sugar and bring the mix back up to a slow boil. Be very careful, it will get very hot, splashes will hurt. Don’t worry about any scummy bits on the surface, this is normal. After about 15 minutes you can test for setting point. Get one of your cold plates and put a small amount of marmalade on the plate . Allow it to cool then push it gently with your finger, if it wrinkles your marmalade is ready. If not boil for another five minutes and test again.

Turn off the heat. If there is still a bit of scummy stuff on the surface stir in a smidge of butter and it will clear. Put the jars as close to the pan as you can but try not to move the pan as the marmalade is lethally hot. Leave the marmalade for a few minutes then start to fill the jars. I put the jam funnel in each jar and use a ladle , I hold a small bowl under the ladle to catch drips. Fill all the jars up to the top. Put a waxed disc on each jar and put on the lid, if using screw tops tighten them as tight as they will go, you will need a tea towel to hold the jars. Wipe any spilled marmalade off the outside with a clean damp cloth. Label when cold.

I will try to upload a picture.

It’s that time of year again! (marmalade)
OP posts:
FlibbertyGiblets · 01/02/2022 12:28

It really is the most satisfying thing, I made mine about a week ago, I have a motley collection of kilner flip top jars and reused jam jars, to make pots of golden sunshine. DIVINE!
(I use the BBC easy marmalade recipe)

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leafinthewind · 01/02/2022 12:29

I made some for the first time this weekend and it's delicious - so much better than I was expecting for a first go. I was worried during cooking that I had too many shreds and not enough jelly, but it was perfect in the end. I used Delia's recipe (but with golden granulated sugar, because that's what I had): www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/preserves/traditional-seville-orange-marmalade

FlibbertyGiblets · 01/02/2022 12:32

www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/how_to_make_marmalade_20072
This one.

viques · 01/02/2022 12:35

I forgot to say what to do with the muslin bag of pith and pips! Delia explains it I expect!

OP posts:
Ted27 · 01/02/2022 12:35

never made marmalade

But I have a cupboard full of home made jam from fruit off my allotment - raspberry, plum, damson, blackcurrent

I've given away about 30 small jars but still have at least a years supply left
I'd love to make marmalade but don't thing it would get used.

FlibbertyGiblets · 01/02/2022 12:38

Ted how lovely to have a cupboard full of jams, mmmmm scrummy!

Wildrobin · 01/02/2022 12:39

I agree I found it a lovely way to spend a morning ! I ended up making a second batch as find it a really nice , low key present to give people that usually well received . I did use a lemon as followed a Riverford recipe.

endlesslydoingdishes · 01/02/2022 12:41

@viques Ooh I wonder if I could be cheeky and ask if you have a trusty strawberry or raspberry jam recipe? I've been squirreling away jars for almost a year so that I can make it this summer.

I used to make jam every year with my gran but sadly shes not around to assist and I never had the foresight to ask for the recipe she used. Im wondering if there is any handy tips/ tricks for a successful jam.

endlesslydoingdishes · 01/02/2022 12:42

@Ted27 If you have advice on the above, it would be most appreciated.

viques · 01/02/2022 12:43

[quote endlesslydoingdishes]@viques Ooh I wonder if I could be cheeky and ask if you have a trusty strawberry or raspberry jam recipe? I've been squirreling away jars for almost a year so that I can make it this summer.

I used to make jam every year with my gran but sadly shes not around to assist and I never had the foresight to ask for the recipe she used. Im wondering if there is any handy tips/ tricks for a successful jam.[/quote]
I think Ted sounds like the expert you need! I don’t make jam, too busy eating marmalade.

Grin
OP posts:
BlueChampagne · 01/02/2022 12:46

So much better than shop-bought marmalade.

RuthTopp · 01/02/2022 12:50

I live quite close to it , but a visit to the World's Original Marmalade Awards Festival @ Dalemain House nr Penrith Cumbria is a must . I haven't been since covid , but you can ( could ) taste hundreds of jars from all over the world.

52andblue · 01/02/2022 13:26

Does anyone else have a trusty Lemon Curd recipe please ?

Singalongsingsong · 01/02/2022 13:43

I love it too - am doing mine tomorrow. I start by pressure cooking the whole oranges for 10 minutes (do it now in an instant pot) then cut in half, remove the pips and tie in muslin. Chop the whole oranges (minus the calyx) in the food processor. The pieces will be irregular but taste just as good as neatly cut shreds in a fraction of the time. As fine or as chunky as you prefer. Put in preserving pan with cooking liquid (may need to add a little more) sugar and bag of pips . Sometimes I add a lemon, crushed coriander or cardamom or ginger. Sugar usually granulated but could be brown or a mixture. Contine as above. Delicious!

FlibbertyGiblets · 01/02/2022 15:21

Lemon curd:
2 large lemons unwashed organic for best flavour
4 egg yolks beaten
90g caster sugar
40g butter, cubed. Not pretend butter real butter.

Zest and juice lemons into a heatproof bowl.
Add the butter and the sugar and the egg yolks to the zest and juice.

Suspend the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir continuously. Once the butter has melted start the timer. Heat gently for 15 mins stirring continuously.
Remove from the heat and beat a few times whilst cooling. Once cold pot into sterile jar/s. This is a is refrigerate after making recipe, so keep it in your fridge and use within 14 days.

Am assuming you know to check the water level of the pan under the bowl and top up if necessary.

FlibbertyGiblets · 01/02/2022 15:23

Nb this is prize winning at the village fete level curd, perfect it at home then unleash in the home produce tent in the summer.

Ted27 · 01/02/2022 17:01

same basic recipie for everything

1 kilo of fruit to a kilo of sugar. I use the preserving sugar so no faffing about with pectin
squeeze of lemon juice
when you take it off the heat stir in a knob of butter - sorts the scum out a treat

StandardPoodle · 01/02/2022 17:41

I've made mine too, just 1batch with 1.5 kilos of oranges.
There is absolutely no comparison with shop-bought marmalade.

Elphame · 01/02/2022 17:57

Made mine last week.

Simmering the oranges makes the house smell wonderful and yes absolutely no comparison with the shop bought. Mine is just sugar and oranges, I don't use lemon or pectin but I have been known to add a dram or two of whisky or brandy every so often.

I also make strawberry jam- equal amounts of strawberries and sugar. Cook strawberries until soft before adding the sugar. It's important they are soft as the sugar toughens them otherwise. Juice of a lemon for each kilo of fruit.

It can take a long time to reach set point - it will be quicker if you use the sugar with added pectin but I never do. It also doesn't generally set as hard as commercial varieties. If you do want a firm set like those then you do need to add pectin. Let it cool slightly before potting so that any whole strawberries don't sink to the bottom.

I can't help with the raspberry jam - I am severely allergic to raspberries so I keep well away!

MissusArmitage · 01/02/2022 18:20

Currently enjoying the last of a marmalade roly poly. Making marmalade is a fantastic January activity for me! People love to receive it as a gift too

Singalongsingsong · 01/02/2022 18:31

Oooh marmalade rolypoly! I’m going to have to make one!

Ted27 · 01/02/2022 19:00

Some combinations I tried this year

Raspberry and chocolate
Rhubarb and ginger
Rhubarb and gin
Strawberry and pimms
Strawberry and gin
Plum and cinnamon
Damson and cinnamon
Fig and cinnamon

EishetChayil · 01/02/2022 19:17

What a lovely thing to do!

I'm always delighted to receive homemade preserves as gifts.

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