Berry Jam | Strawberry-Blueberry Jam(Step by Step Pics)

Jam making really requires good efforts but the results are worth doing.The sealed packs from  stores is easy to buy and may be much cost effective too but that hardly has any real fruit flavors and tastes.All are loaded up with sugar,artificial colors and preservatives.My mom always made sure to prepare all kinds of seasonal fruit jams when the fruit rates go low and she used to preserve the jams for over six months by bottling them in separate smaller bottles.That bug of jam making has bitten me too and I also have given up the store brought jams.Kids love jams with almost everything; infact their love goes even with idlis or dosas rolled up for an evening snack.Last month,blueberries were on sale and I got few packets of these.Finally ended up making this jam,this was super easy and delicious to make,all it needs is a little extra time to stir.I have used frozen strawberries that I picked up sometime back when on sale and freezed it.Both together made a lip smacking combo.I haven't added any preservatives other than lemon juice,it stayed good for a month without refrigeration.Try this and kids would love it!!

Preparation time ~15mins
Cooking time~45-55 mins
Serves ~ 1.6 cups(13 oz)

Ingredients
strawberries,chopped 3 cups
blueberries 1.5 cups
sugar 1.5 cups
lemon juice 2tbsp

Method
-Wash,hull the strawberries and chop them in chunks.Wash the blueberries and add to a pan with strawberries.Add in sugar and heat the pan.The berries ooze out water and sugar gets dissolved.
-Place a plate in the freezer to check the consistency of the jam till you use.
-Keep stirring in between and the berries gets cooked(it may take 45-55 minutes).Using the wooden spatula or potato masher,keep mashing the cooked berries to integrate in the liquid.The pectin in the fruit thickens up the jam and at one point,you can see the base of the pan when stirring.Add in the lemon juice and mix well.(To check the consistency of jam-Drop a little on the plate placed in the freezer.Wait for 45 secs and then tilt the plate to check if the jam is flowing down.If it stays in place then,the jam is ready.Switch off flame,move the pan away from residual heat and leave to cool).

-After cooling,the jam thickens and can be stored in air tight sterile bottles(I prefer storing a small amount in a bottle outside at room temperature and refrigerating the rest).
-Spread on your whole wheat bread or any other kids snack/bread and enjoy !!

NOTES
* You can use a combo of any other berries like raspberry,blackberries to make this jam.
* I have used frozen strawberries to make this jam,so it was in a way easier to mash well.But you can use fresh strawberries too.
*There are few chunks still present in the jam which adds a taste.

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