Mason Jar Monday!

Like Jam?! Want to make make a small batch of your own?! This is a very easy recipe that you can do right in your Microwave!

Small Batch Microwave Jam

Ingredients:

Diced or crushed fruit and flavor

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. butter or margarine

Directions:

Prepare the fruit and place in an 8 cup glass measure with a spout (or a 2½ to 3 quart casserole dish). Let stand until juices form - about thirty minutes. Microwave on High for 10-14 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes.Spoon out 1 tbsp. of jam, refrigerate for 15 minutes and test consistency. If you like thicker jam, re-heat to boiling then microwave for 2 more minutes. Makes 2 cups.

Storage:These jams will keep for several months in the fridge; freeze for longer storage. Use any small, clean jam jars with tight-fitting lids.

Canning:

For pantry storage, use 2 one-cup canning jars. Scald jar lids and bands for 5 minutes, and keep lids in scalding water until ready to use. Steralize the jars by boiling for 15 minutes; fill immediately with hot jam, leaving ¼ inch of head space.Pour jam into hot jars, skim off foam and add more jam, if needed, to maintain ¼ inch headspace.Wipe rims clean with damp cloth. Place lids on jars and screw down tightly. Let cool. Press lids to test seal - if they stay down the jars are sealed. (If you feel that a jar hasn't sealed properly, stay on the safe side and store in the fridge or freezer.)Label jars, decorate lids as desired, and store.

Fruit and Flavor Combinations:

Apricot:Remove pits from 1lb of apricots and chop to make 2 cups. Add 1 tbsps lemon juice.

Apricot-Pineapple:Remove pits from 3/4lb apricots and chop to make 1-1/2 cups. Combine with 1/2 cup crushed pineapple and 1 tbsp. lemon juice.

Berry:Crush 3 cups or raspberry of blackberries or a combination of both, to make 2 cups, and add 1 tbsp lemon juice.

Strawberry:Crush 3-1/2cups of strawberries to make 2 cups. Add 1-1/2tbsps lemon juice.

Peach or Nectarine:Remove pits from fruit, peel and chop to make 2 cups. Add 1 tbsp. lemon juice.