TASTE
Raspberry preserve a perfect gift
| • | Side dishes with pizzazz |
By Elaine Magee
Each summer, when the farmer's market is brimming with possibilities, I always experiment with a preserve recipe or two.
This summer, I put together a little something called less-sugar orange raspberry preserves that went over really well with all my tasters. I wanted to share it with you now because it's a preserve you can make year round with frozen raspberries.
I used half the normal amount of sugar and boosted the flavor in other ways (adding orange zest and crushed oranges). Jars filled with this festive red preserve make great gifts. Just remind the recipients to keep them refrigerated. The preserves work well on biscuits, toast, as a spread on sandwiches and even on light vanilla ice cream when warmed up.
A tablespoon of regular preserves contains around 50 calories.
LESS SUGAR ORANGE RASPBERRY PRESERVES
Mix 1/4 cup of the sugar with the powder from one box "Sure-Jell For Less or No Sugar Needed Recipes" in a small bowl or 2-cup measure; set aside.
Using a zesting tool, remove the zest from the oranges and finely chop, set aside. Add the peeled orange segments to a large nonstick saucepan and use a potato masher to make a chunky orange puree.
Add crushed raspberries, orange juice and the sugar-Sure-Jell mixture to the saucepan with the oranges and stir well. Add a teaspoon of less fat margarine to reduce the foaming if desired.
Bring mixture to a full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly.
Stir in the remaining sugar quickly, return to a full roiling boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and cool 20 minutes.
Ladle into 1 cup or 1 1/2-cup refrigerator containers (plastic or glass works well), cover and store in refrigerator until you serve them or give them away as gifts.
MAKES ABOUT 9 CUPS
Per tablespoon: Calories 25, protein .1 g, carbohydrate 6.5 g, fiber .3 g, sodium 1 mg.
Elaine Magee is author of "The Recipe Doctor Cookbook" and "The Flax Cookbook." Reach her through www.recipedoctor.com. Personal responses cannot be provided.
