I have a long history with Cherry Jam. A long and sordid one if I am to be truthful. I probably shouldn’t tell you this in case you turn away in disgust but I have been known to eat it by the spoonful. And I suspect trying to qualify it by saying it’s a teaspoon rather than a tablespoonful won’t impress you much.
We never had Cherry Jam when I was growing up. It was strawberry jam or marmalade. But when I was at university and seeking a late night form of sugary sustenance, I found my friend – I like to call her Cherry Jam. I remember being hypnotised by a Monbulk ad when young where the whole fruit would drop into the jar (and holy crap! It’s on Youtube!). I still recall the distinctive music to this day and ever since then I associated whole fruit in jam as desirable.
With my favourite brand of Cherry Jam (Andrésy) at $10 a jar it is not exactly cost effective when you eat it by the spoonful. So I thought that with this month’s Daring Baker’s challenge, I’d take the chance to make my own cherry jam but add vanilla to it which I always think adds so much depth to cherry.
The resulting jam is gorgeous. Chunky with whole cherries, it’s just the way I like it. The Jamsetta makes it set well so there’s no nervousness about a non setting jam although the zest and seeds do provide quite a bit of pectin which aids in that respect. I got four lovely jars of this out of it. Which is about 4 day’s supply wouldn’t you say?
So tell me Dear Reader, which ad from childhood or adulthood made the most impact on you and why?
Vanilla & Cherry Jam
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
Ingredients
- 1kg jar of pitted sour cherries, drained
- 1/2 cup of sour cherry juice from the above jar
- 800g caster sugar (preferably cane sugar)
- 1 vanilla bean
- Juice, zest and 4-5 seeds of 1 lemon (wrap the zest and seeds in a muslin pouch)
- 50 gram packet of Jamsetta (I used Fowlers Vacola brand)
1. First of all, decide whether you like your jam to have whole fruit, pulverised fruit or a bit of both and treat the cherries accordingly. I like whole fruit only so I don’t do anything to the cherries but if you like a smoother jam, blend cherries in a blender (you can cut them up although it will be messy). Place cherries, juice, sugar, lemon juice and muslin wrapped seeds in a large, heavy based saucepan.Slit vanilla bean in half horizontally and scrape the seeds with a knife and place seeds in the saucepan along with the rest of the bean. Cook on medium to high heat for 30 minutes until it has reduced by about a quater.
2. Add the sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until mixture reduces by a quarter. Meanwhile place 4 clean glass jars (I used 4 x 375ml Bonne Maman and Andresy jam jars) and the lids on a tray in a 200C/400F oven and bake for 10 minutes to sterlise them.
Testing the jam for set
3. Remove the pouch of seeds and stir in the Jamsetta. Place a small saucer in the freezer. After 5-10 minutes take it out of the freezer andplace a teaspoonful of the liquid onto the plate. Count to 30 seconds and then run your finger through the centre. If there is wrinkling or the line stays then it will set properly. If not, wash plate and place back in freezer and repeat every 3 minutes until the line holds.
4. Carefully ladle the jam (it will be very hot) into the jars. With rubber gloves screw the lid tightly and turn upside down for 5 minutes to create a seal. I also like to use the rubber gloves as you can wash down the sides of the jar if you’ve spilt a bit during the ladling process (which I always seem to do).
5. Try and resist eating this with a spoon.
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
47 Comments | Add your own
This jam sure sounds and looks delicious! adding vanilla is a great idea!
Cheers,
Rosa
I made black forest cupcakes with turkish sour cherry jam from a jar and it was delish… but homemade vanilla cherry jam would’ve been even better!
I love cherry and vanilla, great combo. I also love your dish.
Yum! Cherry and Vanilla-I have to try this soon. It sounds like you go through jam like I go through peanut butter!
Hey!! You know I love jam and making it and now you’re almost DARING me to make it out of season!! hehe.
I love the idea of vanilla in it. Mmm would add a certain warmth to it.
Well, if I see them on fabulous special again, I will buy some but it may sadly have to wait until cherry season and a lovely trip down south! (Just near Husskisson they have a cherry van by the side of the road – seriously sweet cherries from Nov – Feb)
Thanks for the ever-so-frequent inspiration!
I love the bowl, it’s very cute. I also think vanilla and cherry would be fantastic, I’ll have to try that one soon.
Is it bad that I have never tried cherry jam? You have in fact inspired me to try it though. Is there a readily available supermarket brand you would recommend?
My fav ad was the one for cottee’s cordial “My dad picks the fruit that goes to Cotteeeee’s… to make the cordial… that I love best!!!!”
oh my that jam looks gorgeous
i used to eat sugar by the spoon-full when i was a kid :/
why resist?
i love the bonne maman jams; and the whole fruit with less sugar from SPC when it is on special is pretty good too.
I never really paid much attention to food when i was a kid, except for the party and junk stuff. I do miss taking 20c to the corner shop and getting caramel buds and white choc frogs. I remember my mum making fancy birthday cakes, having butterfly cupcakes and fairy bread.
Other then that, i didnt really enjoy food that much until i left home and began exploring different vegetables and cuisines and really enjoying it.
wow – I think I have found someone who loves cherry jam as much as me
I have never made my own – will do as soon as they are in season here
I’d definitely fail at Step 5 and would probably end up eating up the whole batch by the spoonful! Hehe I love that we have youtube to help us relive our childhood tv memories
I cannot wait to try this. Saturday morning: Me, the Limoges and sweet cherry baby.
Ad from childhood that had the biggest impact has got to be the cherry ripe ad with the woman in the white dress/hat combo. It always looked so romantic. It may have influenced my lifelong dream to get married in an orchard!
Exquisite! You have inspired me to have a go at jam making.
As for ads from my childhood, ever since the Daffodil margarine ad came out, I have been eating my toast upside down!
“The taste buds are on the top of your tongue, so turn your bread upside down etc”
Every time I see your post is a WOW what awesome photos and …the jam looks positively sinful
The photo “testing the jam” is supreme!
Cheers,
Gera
Ohhh cherry jam…cherries… I had the yummiest cherry crumble very the weekend, hmmmm. I love your little jam bowl, I have a thing for old crystal/cut glass too.
Ads – being a Kiwi the old “oh Lordy it’s Roger again” Trumpet ad (Trumpet’s are like Cornetto’s here), The Milky Bar kid ads, Cadbury Creme Egg ‘don’t get caught with egg on your face’ and the Mello Yello ad.
This looks seriously delicious! Can you get sour cherries at the average supermarket (Woolies/Coles) or do you need to go to a continental supermarket/deli?
LOVE Cherry Jam & it is so hard to find …. guess I may have to try out your recipe! YUM
Delicious looking jam! I love the idea of baking your jars to sterilise – I have been boiling then microwaving them and had some interesting incidents involving exploding jars, sparks in the microwave etc. Hmm, there are loads of ads that I have fond memories of, but not sure the impacted my life – standouts are the GoGo mobile Yellow Pages ad, the Not Happy Jan Yellow Pages ad, the Great Wall rabbit fence Telstra ad, (too many Telstra ads listed here!!! but they’re good), the Is Don Is Good ad, and the Liptons tea Hong Kong “jiggling” ad (you remember – “A group of young Australians went off to tour Hong Kong Kong …”). A Kiwi ad that I love is for Jelly Tip icecreams.
Nigella,
I absolutely adore the jar you put the jam in. Would you please inform me of the place you purchased it?
Sadly, I have never had cherry jam. Now I feel like I’ve been missing out all my life.
Don’t laugh: my most influential childhood ad was twinkies. You know, the one with a girl and a boy dancing around as twinkies falls down from the sky? Maybe you don’t know, but that made me sooo crave them. But when I tried it, I hated it.
By the way, the jam looks absolutely luscious.
Oh gorgeous is an understatement. I love cherries, everything cherry as long as it tastes pretty natural (otherwise it tastes like cough syrup). I imagine the vanilla is a heaven-made match.
Love cherry and vanilla combo…mouth watering!
Oh I am definitely trying this recipe out! I just came back from the Blue Mountains with a swag full of tasty treats. I went to The Nook co-op (http://www.thenookleura.com.au/) and got some amazing tea — try the Rosie Wong — and rhuarb apple jam that is just divine. I’ve always loved cherry but this is hands-down my new favourite flavour!
I love your obsession for cherries
They are one of my favourite fruits too – actually they probably are singly my favourite. I could eat them in any form.
I agree with you love of cherries I love cherries in all forms especially fresh
You’re very clever making cherry jam at this time of year – I would never have thought of a jar of cherries. Favourite ad? Well I must admit I chose my first opera based on the song in a Leggos ad!
oh dear, I eat jam by the spoonful too, sometimes that’s all you really want to finish off a meal. I belive the Greeks serve up jam as dessert too! My favourite all time jam is one a foodie friend of mine introduced me to: tamarillo and rosewater jam, expensive when tamarillos are sometimes about $2 each but I love the way the tamarillo pieces caramelise…mmmm
Hi Rosa-Thanks so much!
Hi Trisha-Great idea! I just love the whole cherries so I like making my own
Hi Bethie-Thankyou so much
I love that dish too 
Hi Meg-hehe I think you’re right!
Hi Liss-Yes make some! But use the cherries in a jar or it will be way too expensive
Oh really? What a great find! A cherry van no less? How perfect! 
You’re welcome!
Hi Anita-Thanks so much! It was a gift from my husband’s aunt for my kitchen tea
Yes do! 
Hi sandra-Oh really? I guess it’s quite hard to find when I think about it. There is Young Maid that I used to find in Coles which was really good.But my local Coles has stopped stocking it but yours might still do? Oh yes I remember that ad!
Hi betty-Thanks so much! Oh really? Hehe that sounds so cute!
Hi Tara-Ah I didn’ realise SPC made a whole fruit/ess sugar jam. I should give that a try! Sounds like childood memories very similar to mine!
Well at least you’re exploring and enjoying it now!
Hi Laurasaur-hehe cool! I am a certified addict
Hi Steph-hehe well that’s not so bad is it? I was so excited when I saw that ad!
yes thank god for youtube!
Hi Emma-Haha yes! I hope you like it darling
I remember her! he was in a white suit with a hat from what I recall. Or was that Flake? Hmmmm…
Hi Sue-Oh do! It’s so rewarding
Hehe hey it makes sense to turn it upside down! 
Hi Gera-Thanks so much! Aww thanks, I was doing that with one hand and holding the camera with the other
Hi Megan-Cherry crumble? Oh my, what a fabulous sounding crumble! Thanks, I really love it too
Oh yes I remember all of those (except for the trumpet ad). What memories!
Hi Gab-Thankyou!
Yep you can, they should be near the other tinned fruit and they’re usually in a clear jar 
Aldi also has them 
Hi Chez US-It is isn’t it! Why isn’t there more? It’s so delicious!
Hi Cakelaw-thankyou so much! Yes I know it’s so much eaiser. I’ve also heard that dishwashers can do the same although I’ve never tried that
Oh yes Not Happy Jan is a hilariously iconic one isn’t it! Some great ads you have named there 
Hi Wasfieh-It’s actually Lorraine, not Nigella
It was a gift from my husband’s aunt. It’s Mikasa brand if that helps though 
Hi Barbara-Oh no! Really? If you ahve a European deli near you I think they might stock it if you’re interested
Hi Sophia-I was the same the first time I tried Twinkies!
I thought they were magical! Thanks so much 
Hi Jessica-Thankyou!
Oh yes that artificial cherry flavour is god awful isn’t it. I can’t stand it at all 
Thanks!
Hi Parita-Thankyou so much!
Hi Cass-Oh yes I remember the Nook! Some great jams there
Great to know that the tea is good. I love the Blue Mountains 
Congrats on your haul!
Hi Esz-Cool!
Me too, I so wish it was cherry season! …
Hi Jenny-Mmm yes when they’re on the stem, and so fleshy and sweet-yum!
Hi Arwen-Thankyou! Oh a Leggos ad with opera! I think I remember that!
Hi Moya-Ahhh really! I had no idea that the Greeks serve it up as dessert too! Genius!
What an ambrosial sounding combination! 
i have to say, i don’t think i’ve ever eaten cherry jam! i’d love it, and i’d make it myself if cherries didn’t cost two arms and a leg. lovely spread.
i reckon i could eat this jam by the spoonful too!
Love the jar & spoon – very lovely & cute. Your cherry jam looks fab! Lol at 4 jars for 4 days, why not
The one ad that sticks in my mind is the qld bananas ad – ‘ban-na-na-na-na-na na na… make those bodies sing’ lol. loved it. still love it.
Cherry jam is the only jam that I truly cannot live without. I don’t necessarily eat it by the jarful, but I eat some every day. Yours is truly beautiful!
Growing up, my grandma had grape vines in her back yard and we always seemed to go on vacation there when they were ready to pick, so I have great memories of making grape jelly with my Mom and Grandma!
I’ve never had cherry jam before, and I probably would eat it by the spoonful too!
We must remedy this never swimming issue. After a large helping of jam.
Yes! Four days! Exactly right! LOL
I remember going through small jars of peanut butter, gianduia, and mango jam with a spoon as a kid! (I still do that with gianduia, of course.
)
Plus, I love whole-fruit preserves and yours look particularly enticing. I wish cherries weren’t such a rarity here in the Philippines; I’d make bottles of it and slather it over everything from plain cake to buttered toast and even vanilla ice cream!
Cherry jam is always my favorite and I love the addition of Vanilla! Yum!
Ooh, I love cherry jam! I’ve been guilty of eating some really good jam straight out of the jar when I need a sugar fix. Vanilla sounds like a perfect accompaniment, too.
yumm!! i love ye idea of making this jam. love the ingredients too.. cant wait to try this out. always love home made jams
WOW!!
What a great jam and great pictures.
I have no doubt that you will have 4 great days ahead of you. A weakness for all things cherry, is easily understood. I just bought a huge bowl of them. Going back for more to try this jam. Thanks!!!
Yoyr cherry jam with the addtion of vanilla sounds so lovely & fab to me!!
Excellent jam!
I love fresh cherries! This would be SO good over ice cream. I mean, ah…low-fat frozen yogurt!
I have never had cherry jam for a long long time.. love it. lvoe the “test” picture. I did the test for the first time when i made my preserve last week.
Hi grace-Oh really! hehe yes that is the problem although using cherries from a jar helps in that regard
Hi panda-hehe yes it’s that kind of jam
Hi Betty-it’s fruit right?
Oh yes I remember that ad!! 
Hi Jamie-I would say your way of eating it is far more sensible
Hi Jenn-Grape jelly! how fantatsic! I made a spiced grape jam (we call jelly jam here) and it was delicious
Hi Blond Duck-Hehe I know! It’s so unAustralian to not be able to swim
Hi Carol-Hehe great minds think alike!
Hi Midge-Oh yes isn’t gianduja just begging to be eaten by the spoonful! Oh yes I think we get the cherries from Europe and European delis. Such a shame they’re so expensive though!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thanks!
Hi anna-Ahh cool, I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Hi nora-They’re great aren’t they and they make a lovely gift too!
Hi pontch-Aww thankyou so much
Hi Kim-it was a great time I tell ya!
Very cool! Although you could always use the pre pitted ones to save on headaches 
Hi Sophie-Thankyou so much!
Hi maris-I love the idea of this with a gorgeous chocolate or vanilla bean ice cream! hehe even low fat frozen yogurt!
Hi Soma-Isn’t the testing fun! Wwhen it works out that is
I am glad to see there is someone out there like me! Yay, to eating jam by the spoonful! Something very greedy and satisfying about it! As for childhood ads, I remember the Monbulk one…more like a jar of fruit! The Jaffa ad plays a big part of my childhood. My parents wouls occasionally buy jaffas for saturday movie nights and we kids had to sing the song before we could have any! Its a chocolate ball with an orange coating, life’s a ball with jaffas. It’s a hippity-hip and a hippity-hop, life’s a ball with jaffas! I dont like jaffas anyore! Wonder why?!
Post a Comment