Chilli Jam And Flavoured Oils
Its Christmas and we have some good friends and we never know what to buy them and this year was no different. We wanted to make it personal and special. Then we struck upon the idea of making something for them (when I said “we” it was me, the Mrs just supervised from a distance). They both enjoy their food and especially something with a little bit of heat in it. So Chilli Jam was decided along with a few other things
CHILLI JAM AND FLAVOURED OILS : THE JARS
When I first though of the idea of homemade foodie things I clearly wasn’t thinking straight. Because it then struck me what am I going to put all the homemade products in. Looked in the cupboard and we did have a few empty jam jars in there and some other suitable containers. However they just didn’t look like Christmas, plus I would not want them to think we were complete cheapskates. So of I went to the shops, I lost count of how many before I stumbled across Kilner Jars. Perfect, well I say perfect because I wasn’t even sure what I was going to make so I grabbed them with only half an idea of what the finished products were going to be.
CHILLI JAM AND FLAVOURED OILS : THE SHOP
So here I am in the supermarket still with no exact idea what I was going to make. I wondered around the fruit and veg and selected the items that looked fresh and appealing to the eyes. Smoked garlic, never had it before so that was definitely coming home with me, Lemon grass, fresh ginger,lemon thyme and a few rosy red chilies. Oh nearly forgot some basic Olive Oil, plain of course as I was going to add the flavour myself. Labels Labels Labels, on the way out of the supermarket I walked past a craft shop and in the window were the perfect labels for my bottles, slate labels (well not real slate but the effect of.)
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After scanning a few recipes online I had a basic idea of what I was going to make., I tend not to follow any exact recipes and just make them up and adapt them along the way, yes I do have the occasional disaster but that’s half the fun. So its decided 2 different oils and 2 preserve/pickle jam type thingy.
CHILLI JAM AND FLAVOURED OILS : SMOKED GARLIC OIL
Yes the first ingredient was the smoked garlic, bashed some chopped some, placed them in a pan and a bulb of the smoked garlic into the jar. What next, scanning the ingredients I picked up a chilli the lemon thyme, rosemary (from the garden) and a few dried chilli flakes as well. All in the pan and then I added the Olive Oil to the pan, enough to make sure it covered all the ingredients. Turn the heat on (low) and allow all the flavours to infuse.
Do NOT let the oil get to warm as it will cook and burn your bits. I left mine on for about 10 minutes which filled the kitchen with wonderful aromas. Allow the infused oil to cool before decanting into your bottle, then top up with plain Olive Oil. Oh remember to put all the bits of chilli, garlic,herbs into the jar as well. Put the lid on and just wait as long as you can before tasting.
We did try some later on that night with some crusty bread and all I will say is I am making my own batch today “gorgeous”
CHILLI JAM AND FLAVOURED OILS : THAI OIL
As above, chopp up the lemon grass, (small piece in the jar) ginger, garlic and chilies into the pan. Next add the oil heat and infuse. More great aromas filling the kitchen.
CHILLI JAM AND FLAVOURED OILS : CHILLI JAM
Chilli Jam, I have wanted to make chilli jam for ages but never got around to it and as a Christmas gift its the perfect situation .I will experiment on my friends and if its any good then the accolade is all mine. The ingredients of course are chillies nice fresh red chillies, roasted tomatoes, red peppers, ginger, red wine vinegar and lots of sugar.
CHILLI JAM AND FLAVOURED OILS : LIME PICKLE
Never made this before and all the times I have tried it I didn’t like it, well except the once and I did really enjoy it. Well I wasn’t really making this for me and I know my friends (one of them ) like lime pickle so an attempt was to be made. Of course limes were cut and then salted, a little oil in the pan along with onion seeds, chopped chillies,
Then all the ingredients into a pan cook for 15 to 20 minutes until all the flavours develop, allow to cool and then place into your jar, leave for a few days before eating. Beware it is a little hot and spicy. As a first attempt it wasn’t perfect so I need to follow a recipe or tweak my own a little.
Is it cheaper to make your own homemade foods for Christmas. No not really, if you make it on a large scale it could be cheaper than the shop bought variety. The great thing about homemade is that its “homemade” and a personal. A very individual gift for individuals. You can also adjust the recipe to make it more of what you like.
Ingredients
- 2 Fresh red chillies, (more if you like it hot)
- Dried chillies (to add depth of flavour)
- 3 Roasted tomatoes
- 1 Red pepper (roast for extra flavour)
- 1 thumb of Ginger
- 250ml Red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 300g Sugar
- Garlic
Instructions
Cut tomatoes into quarters, sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper place in oven proof dish You can also roast the red pepper if you wish Roast tomatoes in the oven for around 30/40 minutes Chop all the ingredients Add to pan with red wine vinegar and sugar Cook for 15/20 mins Allow to cool then place into jars The quantities are a rough guide to the recipe as its a matter of taste, add or takeaway any of the ingredients as its all a matter of taste. Its simple just have a go Great with kebabs & Kebab shop salad
Notes
Try different types of vinegars for different taste's. You can also add brown sugar instead of white. Try some dried chipotle chillis for real depth of flavour
Satisfaction guaranteed, a little hard work, a hot kitchen full of delicious smells I cannot wait to make my next batch of homemade goodies and Chilli Jam
Our good friends said they enjoyed what they had tasted. That’s sealed the deal for Christmas for the next 20 years, homemade presents. Have you made your own Christmas presents for family and friends ? Please share yours, either if you have made or received a personalized gift .
What To Serve Your Chilli Jam With
No I use my chilli jam with all the usual things. On the side with pork pie, any Indian starters such as onion bhaji or samosas. One thing I did do with my chilli jam was to mix some into mayonnaise and have it with my breaded chicken.
Try this great homemade Onion Chutney Recipe
Happiest in the kitchen feeding the 3 children who are constantly hungry. Lucky enough to have worked in a Pro kitchen on a voluntary basis to learn the tricks of the trade.. Buckinghams The restaurant with one Table. With Chef Nick Buckingham.(RIP)