Strawberry Jam, Winter's Magic Jam & Clear Jel

CLEAR JEL FACTS & JAM MAKING

BY KARLA KIMBALL, U OF I ADVANCED MASTER FOOD SAFETY ADVISOR

CLEAR JEL IS THE ONLY APPROVED THICKENER TO BE USED FOR CANNING!!!  It will not break down in the jar after it has been canned.  It will come out of the jar the same consistency as it went in. 

What is Clear Jel???

It is a modified food starch derived from corn.  It is available in Instant and Regular forms.  Instant is used for jams, sauces, puddings, basically anything you don’t cook.  Regular is used for pie fillings, soups, gravies, basically those items that you do cook. 

Advantages to using Clear Jel:

·         It reduces the preparation time and calories

·         It reduces the amount of sugar needed in most recipes

·         It saves money over packaged pudding mixes, pectin and etc.

·         It thickens almost instantly – sets up in 10 minutes

·         It makes baked foods chewy and moist

·         It stores indefinitely

INSTANT CLEAR JEL FACTS

It has been precooked and will swell or thicken instantly without cooking.  If mixed properly with other dry ingredients before adding to liquid, it will not lump.  If lumps do appear, whip with a wire whip or blender until smooth.  It is clear and can be colored with Kool-Aid or Jello to the color and taste you want. 

Tips for using INSTANT CLEAR JEL

·         Clear Jel tends to lump so mix it with dry ingredients of at least equal amounts to prevent lumps.  If you need to add more later for added thickening, add small amounts by sprinkling it in, or mix with more dry ingredients. 

·         Mix with a wire whip or blender or mixer. 

·         Takes 10 minutes to thicken so you know right away if you need to add more thickening.

·         If you are converting from cornstarch, flour, or other thickener start by using half the amount of Clear Jel and add more if needed.

·         Use for quick & easy sauces, jams, cookies, soups, puddings, toppings, syrups and salad dressing mixes. 

Tips for using REGULAR CLEAR JEL

·         Dissolve in cold water before adding to liquid.

·         Use for cooked products.

·         A great thickener for a clear and pretty finished product such as, salsa, mandarin sauce, fruit sauces, syrups, BBQ sauces, taco sauces, and etc.

·         If you are converting from cornstarch, flour, or other thickener start by using half the amount of Clear Jel and add more if needed.

·         IS THE ONLY APPROVED THICKENER TO BE USED FOR CANNING!!!  It will not break down in the jar after it has been canned.  It will come out of the jar the same consistency as it went in. 

FREEZER JAM  (STRAWBERRY IS OUR FAVORITE) This recipe can be doubled or tripled

Stir together in large bowl with a wire whip, making sure the Clear Jel is even distributed into the sugar.

2 c. sugar           

1/3  to ½ c. instant Clear Jel         

1 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid (flavor of berries or lemonade)

Stir in:    5 c. mashed berries  or  3 ½ c. berry puree

Stir in:    ½ c. light corn syrup

Sets up in 10 minutes.  Pour into containers.  Can be frozen or used immediately. 

WINTER’S MAGIC JAM    (A good way to use up older canned fruit)

3 qts. Bottled fruit, peaches, cherries, etc., drain & save

1 can crushed pineapple, drain & save

2/3 to 1 c. regular Clear Jel

½ c. water

2 to 4 c. sugar

1 pkg. appropriate flavor, Kool-Aid or Jello

Drain fruit and pineapple and save juices.  Mix together the Clear Jel and water.  Stir in the saved juice, sugar & Kool-Aid.  Cook over med heat until mixture is clear and sugar is dissolved.  Dice or mash the fruit.  The add the fruit & Pineapple  to the liquid mixture and cook until thick, about 10 minutes while stirring constantly.  Pour into jars.  Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.  ** You may add lemon juice or spices with the fruit for desired flavor.