There’s a popular saying, “Coffee keeps me going until it’s acceptable to drink wine.” Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy your morning with your favorite red, along with your coffee and toast?
Strawberry Margarita Jam? Canning with alcohol!
Now, most people are used to grandma sitting over a stove making strawberry jam in jars covered with gingham fabric. I really didn't want that.... Read more
This may sound extravagant, but this recipe published in 1896 was originally intended for those with very little appetite or who had difficulty keeping more substantial foods down.
Wine jelly is tasty on top of toast, biscuits, roast beef, turkey, spooned from shot glasses, squeezed from paper cups, and licked from spoons. It’s not overly sweet, and it keeps in the fridge for months.
It’s simple to make, but will take some planning, as it has one uncommon pantry ingredient that will need to be acquired in advance…
Gum Arabic is a natural, edible gum made of the hardened sap of the Acacia tree. It is currently used in the food industry as a stabilizer. It is also the key ingredient in the favorite science experiment of elementary kids: the Diet Coke and Mentos eruption; as it is responsible for reducing the surface tension in liquids, which leads to accelerated fizz in carbonated drinks.
I bought my Gum Arabic on Amazon. You may also find it available in your local health food store — or art supply store, for that matter, as it is used in some painting techniques. The more modern preparation is in powdered form, which makes mixing and emulsifying much more efficient, but I used the solid chunk form for the sake of testing the original recipe. Make up a batch of the Gum Arabic Water and keep it in a tight jar in the fridge. It will keep just fine in between batches of jelly.
Wine Jelly (Modern translation):
- Dissolve 2 packets of unflavored gelatin into ½ cup water in a small saucepan.
- Stir in 1 tsp gum Arabic water (made beforehand), ½ tsp nutmeg, and 1Tbs sugar.
- Add 1 cup port. (Port has a higher alcohol content than table wine, and doesn’t all get boiled out)
- Heat to boiling, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and pour into mason jars or serving glasses. Chill.
Tip: Wrap a ribbon around the jar, and you’ve got a hostess gift ready at a moment’s notice!
See you for brunch!
I love this idea! It sounds very tasty! Can you use any wine you like?
How did you make the gum arabic water? You didn’t really say.
I agree we need the gum arabic water recipe! Because I want to try this! 🙂
It sounds like you could use any kind of dessert wine, like an ice wine if you can’t find port. But i’m betting it should be sweet-ish and concentrated more than normal wine.
I think ice wine is a spectacular idea! Working on getting the mssing gum arabic water recipe posted – stay tuned!
Amber, I just sent Megan a note that it was missing – hopefully it will be posted soon! Yes, use any you like – I don’t think you can go wrong! You may want to add more sugar if not using port, though.
UPDATED! Thanks, Tamara. 🙂
Fascinating! If you’re using port, should you just use something cheap and tasty?
Yes! Tawny ports in the $18 range are my favorite, but play around to see what you like!
Yay! All fixed – thank you, Megan!
Fantastic sounding recipe. This will really top off the homemade holiday baskets I’m putting together. Do you know how long will this keep once made? Can I preserve it for months like standard jam or does it need to eaten faster?
I just found a stash of it in my fridge from a year ago, MJ. It was a little rubbery, but not spoiled.
Wine jelly!! I love this idea!!! I think I’m going to make it for my oenophile husband and call it a birthday present. And then I’m going to consume most of the wine jelly myself, because, you know, we live together and sometimes these things happen 😉 Baguette, goat cheese, and wine jelly really does sound like an excellent breakfast.
I love the way you think, Deena!
Does the wine/port need to be brought to boiling? Can it be added when the mixture is cooling instead? That way less alcohol is evaporated off.
Just to the boiling point, Kat – then pull it off the heat. There’s not much loss.
Awesome! If you were to make a big batch with an entire bottle of wine or port, how much jam would you get? Do you need to do anything special to the canning jars?
Has anyone figured out a substitution for the gelatin so that it’s vegetarian?
This is probably a little late, but agar agar is a good vegan substitute for pectin/gelatin. I got mine at PCC, which is a fancy pants natural health food store, in the Asian/international section.