I really love strawberries. Especially this time of year when they are so readily available! I have been buying the huge containers of fresh strawberries at Costco (I think they are 5 pounds?), and putting them in everything! Yogurt, strawberries and goat cheese, strawberry ice cream, just plain strawberries … I just love them!
If I can’t get through them before they start to go bad, I have been cutting off the stems and freezing them for use in smoothies, muffins, whatever I feel like!
This week, I decided to try making strawberry jam in the crockpot! It is pretty low maintenance, you just put them in on low, and then in about an hour, you can start to smell them! They smell so good cooking!
Strawberry Apple Jam in the Crockpot
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6 pounds strawberries, stems cut off, and cut in fourths
4 apples, the peel left on, and the seeds removed, cut in slices
2 lemons, juiced
1 package no sugar pectin
Cut up the strawberries, and place in the crockpot. Take a potato masher, and mash them down as much as you can.
Add in the apples and lemon juice, and cover the crockpot. Cook on low 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.
Remove one cup of the “juice” that the cooked strawberries will yield.
Place that in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil. (It won’t take long, because the juice will already be warm.). When the strawberry juice comes to a boil, add in the package of pectin. Boil for just 1 minute, and then add that mixture to the crockpot.
With an immersion blender, blend the mixture until it is as smooth, or as chunky, as you would like it to be. I made my jelly rather smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, just blend it in batches.
Stir, place the lid back on the crockpot, and cook another 30 minutes to 1 hour.
The jelly will not fully “jell” until it is cool. Place in jars with tight fitting lids and store in the fridge or freezer.
Makes 8 cups
Good on practically anything!
This jam is a little tart, but I think it is totally fine without any additional sugar. However, you can adjust to your taste.
The muffins are vegan, gluten free chocolate banana muffins I only slight adapted (to make them grain free as well) from The Diva Dish. So good!
The next morning, I had some blood drawn to have some tests run (everything is fine, I think! I haven’t gotten the results back yet!). I had to fast for 12 hours (it turned out to be more like 15), and I was starving! I decided to start some cereal in the crockpot the night before, and I am so glad I did! When we got back from the appointment, breakfast was ready!
Amaranth and Quinoa Breakfast Porridge
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1 cup amaranth
1 cup quinoa
1/2 cup cherry infused craisins
4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
This is amaranth – it is a very tiny seed (not a grain!). I don’t like cooking it by itself, because it is so tiny – it takes so much of it to yield much of anything!
Cook overnight, or 8-10 hours.
Serve with strawberry jam! Makes 4 servings.
I did not add any sugar to this either – the sweetened dried cranberries had enough that flavored the porridge. And the best part – my husband, who adds sugar to everything – said this didn’t need any sugar! Score!
Have a great day!
This is linked to Manic Monday , Mix it Up Monday, and Tastefully Julie.
Hi Jane. At first thanks for such a beautiful recipe. It’s looking delicious & lucrative. I’ll definitely try it.
Emily Woodhouse recently posted..How to Get Fast Cash Now
Thank you! I hope you like it — it is super easy and delicious!
Wonderful jam, Jane! Great for freezing (I don’t think it would stay long in the refrigerator). I imagine the smell of the jam when you open the jar, mmm, very good! Have a great week! http://www.picnicatmarina.com
Thanks, you too!
I love making jam, never thought to do it in the crock pot though!! Looks delish!
Biz recently posted..Homemade Pickles
I think you can make just about anything in the crockpot
The strawberries from Costco have been incredible lately. That big 4 lb container doesn’t last long in my house. The jam looks delicious as does your breakfast. I saw amaranth in the bulk bins at Whole Foods last week so I’ll have to give it a try next time.
Aimee recently posted..Friend Makin’ Mondays: Cooking Habits
Amaranth is super tiny! Once I tried making amaranth like you would rice … and it just took so much of it to amount to anything! But, I like mixing it with other things. I think quinoa tastes a little earthy, but amaranth really doesn’t! It was funny … when I got the strawberries to make this jam, my husband looked at them and said “I think we have enough strawberries”. lol! I just love them!
Jane, that is so my kind of dish! My son recently introduced me amaranth, but we’ve only eaten in with savory flavors. I love unusual porridges and with homemade strawberry jam…. all good!
-E
erin @ yummy supper recently posted..KINFOLK BRUNCH SF
Thank you so much Erin, that means so much! On the other hand, I don’t think I’ve had amaranth in any savory dishes!
That jelly looks so easy and tasty. I love strawberry, it has to be my favorite fruit. Even my husband likes them! Happy Monday!
Rhonda recently posted..Toasted Garlic and Sweet Pea Pasta
who hoo, I finally made something your hubby would eat! That’s an accomplishment to me! hahaha. Seriously though, I love strawberries!
What a great idea. My mother used to make strawberry jam. I think I could make this.
kimberly @ Here’s What I Think recently posted..What I Learned in April
Thank you! It is super easy!
That’s so interesting.We grow amaranth for the birds and for fall decorating but I’ve never tried eating it. Maybe this year the birds will have to fight me for it!
Jane recently posted..THE NEITHER HERE NOR THERE MONTH
Now, that is interesting to me too! I never thought to feed it to the birds — I may need to try it this summer! I have never tried to grow it!
Oh my gosh! These both look incredible. I need to get some amaranth again here soon!
Brittany (Delights and Delectables) recently posted..Favorite New Workout
Thank you!
I wondered what amaranth was; thanks for the images. I recognized the word as a title of a Nightwish song but had no idea it was a seed. Now I want to try it.
Vanessa Joy recently posted..The Paper Route: From MN to PA
Thanks for linking up on my blog hop! This is just in time for strawberry season.
TastefullyJulie recently posted..Spicy Baked Fries
Thanks Julie! I love strawberry season! I just used up all my strawberries, so it is time to get some more!
Can your jam be “canned” for pantry storage? Will it keep that way?
Hi Stephanie! I did not feel comfortable canning it, because honestly I didn’t think it had enough acid (the lemon juice). I’ve had it in the fridge since I made it, and it is still good. I looked here and here …. I think if you increased the lemon juice, it **might** be ok, I just didn’t feel secure enough to try it