Scented basil jellies

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
cupPacked fresh Basil ('Anise' or 'Cinnamon' or 'Opal' or 'Lemon')
2cupsWater
2tablespoonsRice vinegar
1pinchSalt
cupSugar
3ouncesLiquid pectin

Directions

Wash basil and dry in paper towels. Finely chop by hand or in food processor. Immediately put basil into a large saucepan, and use the bottom of a glass to crush leaves. Add water, bring slowly to a boil, and oil for 10 seconds. Remove saucepan from heat, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes.

Pour 1-½ cups of liquid from saucepan through a fine strainer into another saucepan. Add vinegar, salt, and sugar, and bring to a hard boil, stirring. When the boil can't be stirred down, add pectin.

Return to a hard boil that can't be stirred down and boil for exactly 1 minute; then remove saucepan from heat.

Skim of foam and pour hot jelly into hot, sterilized 8-ounce jelly jars. Leave ½ inch head space and seal at once with sterilized 2-piece lids or melted paraffin.

Makes 4 8-ounce jars

This recipe for delicate, easy-to-make jellies comes from the Shepherd's Garden Seeds catalog. The clear jewellike colors of these jellies - rose-pink, deep-garnet, and champagne - are quite beautiful. And the jellies themselves are delicious with cream cheese and crackers or bagels. They make wonderful presents for others - or yourself!

Source: Cooking from the Garden - by Rosalind Creasy ISBN: 0-87156-731-8 Typed for you by Karen Mintzias From: Karen Mintzias Date: 09-25-94