Lemon & Pepper Jam

Everyone knows of the lemon tree in our backyard and wonderful produce it gives. I have shared the recipe of Lemon Squash, Lemon Pickle, Lemon Hand Scrub, and now it is this time of the year when I have to experiment something new. There is so much produce that even after making pickle, scrub, and squash, I had to research on a new recipe to preserve them.

I was thinking of making Lemon Chundo just like we Gujaratis make Raw Mango chundo by adding sugar to raw mango and making a Jam. Then while looking for ideas on Pinterest. I came across the recipe of Lemon Marmalade by Simply Recipes. The cook/author has described the recipe really well.  So I had to give it a try and added dry Kashmiri pepper (Indian variety) flakes.

I really enjoyed making this recipe. A very different concept and an amazing sweet and sour taste with slight spice. I feel using Habanero pepper would increase the spice and give a kick to the sweet and sour taste. The aroma of lemon cooking in water was just amazing. I could smell it a meter away from the pot and cooked lemons created a great consistency and texture with natural pectin in them. Nothing better than organic Lemon jam made at home and creating these mini jar for friends!! :)

We all associate Jam as a spread on bread or toast, but I used it differently to create fun. I made some gourmet pizza, a cream cheese spread, and marinated paneer tikka. But I am so ready to use it as a topping on yogurt and ice creams, stuffing in puff pasty, and with pecan pie. Believe me sky is the limit to incorporate this Jam in a recipe. Leave a message below and give me more ideas of how you would you use this jam in a different recipe.

Ingredients to make this Jam

6 cups of chopped lemons
6 cups water
6 cups sugar
2-3 tbsp. of pepper flakes (you can change the quantity depending on the spice level)

• Wash and wipe lemons well. Cut into small pieces.  
• In a large pan add cut lemons and water and bring it to boil and cook till lemons skin get tender. This could take around 45 minutes to an hour.
• Add sugar to the cooked lemon mixture. let the sugar melt. You could leave the lemon pieces as is or use a hand blender to slightly blend it.
• Allow sugar syrup to boil and thicken. This could take around 15-20 minutes.
• Add pepper flakes to cooking jam.
• Keep a plate in a freezer for 5 minutes. This plate is used to test the readiness of the jam. I did the same while making strawberry jam earlier. 
• Pour a tiny bit of jam on chilled plate. It should maintain its shape and not start to spread. If it spreads, it is not ready. Also push slightly cooled jam with your finger...it should wrinkle like the author of Simply Recipes, Elise Bauer says.
• Place glass jars in a 350 F oven for 5 minutes. Just to make sure that there is no moisture in them. When ready, Pour hot Jam in the jar and put the lid on the seal them. I would really suggest refrigerating it to store for long time as we have not added any preservatives to it.

Here is step-by-step pictorial recipe

Wash and wipe lemons well. Cut into small pieces.

In a large pan add cut lemons and water and bring it to boil and cook till lemons skin get tender. This could take around 45 minutes to an hour.

Add sugar to the cooked lemon mixture. let the sugar melt. You could leave the lemon pieces as is or use a hand blender to slightly blend it.

Allow sugar syrup to boil and thicken.

Add pepper flakes to cooking jam.

Keep a plate in a freezer for 5 minutes. This plate is used to test the readiness of the jam. I did the same while making strawberry jam earlier. 

Pour a tiny bit of jam on chilled plate. It should maintain its shape and not start to spread. If it spreads, it is not ready. Also push slightly cooled jam with your finger...it should wrinkle like the author of Simply Recipes, Elise Bauer says.

Place glass jars in a 350 F oven for 5 minutes. Just to make sure that there is no moisture in them. When ready, pour hot Jam in the jar and put the lid on the seal them. I would really suggest refrigerating it to store for long time as we have not added any preservatives to it.

Lemon Jam Jars ready for friends!

Here is Naan Bread Pizza that would be great as an appetizer or snack for your next party.

• Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a pan, add slices onions and fry till they turn brown and caramelized. Add handful of pistachios and fry for 2-3 minutes.
• Heat naan in an oven. Remove and spread some cream cheese on it. Spread some Lemon pepper lam. Sprinkle some pepper flakes (optional) Top it with caramelized onions and pistachios. 
• Cut into pieces and serve!

Here is Sweet and Sour Cream Cheese Spread.

• 
  
• Mix 1/2 cup cream cheese with 2  tbsp. of Lemon & Pepper Jam.
• Put on a wax paper or parchment paper . Add some chill flakes and roll the paper tightly to make a log. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set. 
• Serve with crackers.

Here is Sweet & Sour Paneer Tikka Kababs.

• In 1/2 cup thick yogurt, add 2 tbsp. Lemon & Pepper Jam, 1/2 tbsp. chili powder, 1/4 tbsp. garam masala, 1/4 tsp. kasuri methi, 1/4 tsp. salt. Mix well. 
• Cut Paneer into small cubes, cut bell pepper, and onions into small pieces. Marinate everything in yogurt marinade for 30 minutes. 
• Assemble paneer and veggies on a skewer. 
• Preheat oven to 550 F or the highest temperature. Place skewers in a baking dish rim such that paneer pieces do not touch the pan. That way they can cook without getting stuck to the pan.
• Cook Paneer and veggie skewers for 7-10 minutes or till it lightly browns.
• Remove and sprinkle some chaat masala.
• Enjoy Sweet & Sour Paneer Tikka!

Enjoy this Jam and its Variations!!