Strawberry and Rhubarb Jam

We are blessed to have so many amazing friends in our life, and at Christmas it is nice to be able to show those people how much they mean to us. Unfortunately, with starting a new business and a new baby on the way, we need to find some resourceful ways of making gifts.
This is the third Christmas I've made this jam, and I love how beautiful and festive it looks in the jars. I collect the jars during the year, so come Christmas I have enough to do a few batches.
This recipe is delicious, as the lemon juice and the rhubarb cut the sweetness a little. I particularly love it on a croissant Christmas morning.

Christmas Strawberry and Rhubarb Jam

1kg white sugar

1kg strawberries, hulled, quartered

2 cups (250gm) coarsely chopped rhubarb

1/3 cup lemon juice

50g packet jamsetta

1. Preheat oven to 150°C (130°C fan forced). Spread sugar in a shallow baking dish, warm in the oven, uncovered, for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. This will help the sugar dissolve quickly, giving a clear conserve/ jam.
2. Meanwhile, combine strawberries, rhubarb and lemon juice in a large saucepan (fruit and sugar mixture should not be more than 5cm deep). 
3. Simmer, uncovered, over low heat for 5-10 minutes or until the fruit is soft, stirring occasionally. 
4. Add jamsetta and sugar, stirring until dissolved.
5. Bring conserve to the boil; boil vigorously, uncovered for 5-10 minutes or until mixture jells, stirring occasionally. When mixture falls heavily from the spoon test if it is ready by placing a spoonful on a clean plate in the freezer for 1 minute; if it wrinkles when pushed with a finger, it is ready.
6. Skim any scum from the surface.
7. Pour conserve into hot sterilised jars; seal while hot.
8. Decorate lids with fabric and ribbon if giving as gifts.

This amount generally makes about 5 jars of jam.

(Australian Women's Weekly, 'Christmas & Holiday Entertaining', 2007)

For sterilising the jars, I wash them in warm soapy water then dry in the oven for 15 minutes at about 110°. Metals lids are fine to go in the oven too.

For more information on sterilising jars see: www.taste.com.au/how+to/articles/572/how+to+sterilise+jars+and+bottles 

Happy holidays xx