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    Pear & ginger preserve recipe

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    Pear & ginger preserve recipe

    Delicately spiced with fresh root ginger, this sophisticated, glittery jam is sure to be a winning gift

    • Vegetarian
    • Preparation time: 20 minutes, plus cooling
    • Cooking time: 40 minutes
    • Total time: 1 hour, plus cooling

    Makes: about 1.6 litres (3 x 560ml jars)

    Ingredients

    2kg conference pears, just under-ripe
    200ml white wine
    1kg jam sugar
    35g fresh root ginger, peeled and finely diced
    2 lemons, juice
    generous pinch Waitrose Cooks’ Homebaking gold stardust (optional)

    • 200ml white wine • 1kg jam sugar • 35g fresh root ginger, peeled and finely diced • 2 lemons, juice • generous pinch Wai...
    • 200ml white wine • 1kg jam sugar • 35g fresh root ginger, peeled and finely diced • 2 lemons, juice • generous pinch Wai...
    • 200ml white wine • 1kg jam sugar • 35g fresh root ginger, peeled and finely diced • 2 lemons, juice • generous pinch Wai...
    • 200ml white wine • 1kg jam sugar • 35g fresh root ginger, peeled and finely diced • 2 lemons, juice • generous pinch Wai...

    Method

    1. Peel, core and dice the pears into 1.5cm chunks, then put in a preserving pan with the wine. Cover with crumpled baking parchment, bring to the boil, then bubble, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, or until just tender and the wine has almost evaporated.

    2. Add the sugar, ginger and lemon juice, then gently heat until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat until you reach a fast boil; rapidly boil for 20-25 minutes, until the setting point has been reached (see below). Stir the jam occasionally with a long wooden spoon to prevent it from catching.

    3. Remove the jam from the heat, stir in the stardust, if using, and set aside to cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to distribute the fruit. Very carefully divide between hot, sterilised jars using a jug or wide-neck funnel. Seal the lids, label and leave to cool completely. Tie on a jam spoon to make a pretty present and store in a cool place for up to 3 months. 

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    This recipe first appeared in Waitrose Food, November 2016 issue. Download the Waitose Food app for the full issue

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