apricot sauce III

[elegentry]

So what is the best way to get jam/sauce neatly into jars? Surely not the way I just did it which wasn't neat at all. ALL the jars needed washing down after the lids were on. Two I managed to drop into the sauce and so were actually dip filled! I had a more thorough go at sterilising the jars, including the drying in the oven part. As a result, every thing I was handling was HOT. Also the sauce is lumpy which was not helping the ladling process. I need a better pouring large ladle I think. Ah well, there is now apricot sauce to take to mrsbrown  birthday party.  This time I have added the lemon as juice and finely grated rind. I liked the occasional hit of strong lemon from the tiny wedges I used in previous versions-but not everyone else did.

In other news
-tum is fine this morning thankfully
-the herb garden is trying out some new veges. This morning I added a rhubarb crown, a capsicum plant, snow peas and carrot seedlings. Finger crossed the snails don't eat them.
-I planted a punnet of primula seedlings in the rose bed. Then I read the label which says they like shade. Oops. So I dug them up and replanted them under the new almond.
-I have pulled out most of what A tells me is onion grass, not the snowdrops I thought I had. Nevermind, more bulbs I can justify getting next season.
-the bluebells are starting to put up flower spikes!
-there are enough freesias now for me to cut a few for the house. Have decided I am not allowed to until I have vacuumed though.

Comments

[giddyaunt.livejournal.com]

If you can find an appropriately-sized stainless steel ladle with a lip, grapple it unto your kitchen with hoops of steel. They are perfect for the job, but hard to come by. I know they exist. I'm sure I have seen one. But I have not found one when I have gone looking. Alternatively, there are, I believe, metal funnels designed for the purpose. Metal, natch, because the stuff is usually hot (and because you can sterilise them) and designed for the purpose in that they have a wider bottom opening (so your jam doesn't, well, jam!). Come to think of it, I am sure there are specialist shops that would have these things. The same sort of place where you can buy preserving rings. I may just go and google now!
I

[giddyaunt.livejournal.com]

This is what a funnel looks like! But this shop is in sydney - I shall look further

http://www.thebaytree.com.au/New%20site/products/cooks%20tools/jam%20tools/jam%20funnel.html

[giddyaunt.livejournal.com]

Be still, my beating heart! Love this website, but it is a trade shop, so they only take orders of $100 or more. I think I could manage... I

http://www.hospitalitywholesale.com.au/back-of-house/cookware/funnels/jam-funnel.html

[montjoye.livejournal.com]

Aha, thank you. A jam funnel. That makes so much sense. I want one!

[mousicles.livejournal.com]

"the herb garden is trying out some new veges. This morning I added a rhubarb crown, a capsicum plant, snow peas and carrot seedlings. Finger crossed the snails don't eat them."

Remember to feed the snails beer - then they won't bother the seedlings.

The new garden sounds triffic.