Marmalade makers

[Mercy]

I believe January is the time to make marmalade.

I've never made it before (or any kind of jam/preserve tbh) so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Is it really complicated?

It's not complicated, but very time consuming as for one you have to stir it almost constantly. Book in one hand.... spoon in the other...

Well, January is the time as that's the only time Seville oranges are available (you need these for marmalade rather than prdinary ones).

Making marmalade isn't difficult at all really and I don't find it time consuming - most of the making time is simmering the juice and peel but you don't need to stir then - only when the sugar is added, and then it doesn't take that long to reach setting point. The only bit I hate is sterilising the jars as it's a bit of a faff and I always end up burning myself!

Recipe-wise I always use good-old-Delia's - never fails and I get lots of compliments on my marmalade . You can vary it by adding some chopped or grated stem ginger, or a few tablespoons of whiskey. Both are delicious

Good luck

Forgot to say thank you!

I'm sure I'll have the Delia recipe as I've got a few of her books. Will have a look this evening. btw, do you need loads of kit - a preserving pan or a thermometer for example, or are they not necessary?

Cutting the peel is a really time consuming job. Dont use a knife, use kitchen scissors and that makes it much quicker. Also, you have to be sure the peel is soft before adding the sugar and boiling as once the sugar is in, the peel will not soften further.

have fun!

Why does no one else have to stir? What's your recipe? Should I be looking at Delia? Questions questions!

HUrrah!
made marmaladw for the first time last year and it was so delicious i got a bit addicted. will be scrubbing out the preserviing pan shortly.

to sterlise jars lazy easy way half fill with water and microwave on high for 4 mins (so water is boiling)

voila!

nigella says you can use them straight from the dishwasher as it boils them but like my micro technique.

[s hock]

but you do all that cooking!

[sho ck]

god i feel like a really lazy slut now.

littlelapin - I wash in hot soapy water, rinse, then pour boiling water all over the jars and lids, and then dry with clena cloth and keep in warm oven until filled. It's the splashing boiling water stage that usually burns me!

See that BBBee says you do a lot of cooking - what/why? (am interested )

i am half way through delia's chunky marmalade recipe and can't work out what she means on crucial bit. have asked dh but not much help-not surprising. does anyone know if you need to use all the water you poached your oranges in for the next stage or only the 1 litre that was simmered with pulp and seeds? am stuck. please help