This is the PERFECT time of year to stock up. Make one or two small batches a week and you’ll be set for the year!
Small Batch Preserves
Making your own jams, jellies, conserves and marmalades can be a wonderfully satisfying hobby. You can make a small batch of goodies is as little as 30 to 60 minutes. A few of the recipes take longer to make, but that is usually in cooking time during which you can be doing some other kitchen related task.
Depending on the availability of ingredients you may be able to create a batch for nothing or next to nothing. You can take advantage of your own garden, goodies from friends and neighbors or wild fruits and berries. You can also wait until fruits are in season and buy them at bargain prices.
One of the most wonderful aspects of small batch preserving is that you can do it year round. In today’s supermarkets and farmer’s markets you can almost always find some fruit that is in season. If not, there is the frozen fruit aisle which normally has a variety of different fruits and berries available year round.
Ten great reasons for making it yourself
1. You can save money. Lots of money! You can often make your own preserves for next to nothing, or if you follow the frugal tips, you can make a batch of jams or jellies for exactly $zero dollars!
2. You will know exactly what ingredients are the jar. No weird, unpronounceable or dangerous chemicals.
3. It is incredibly satisfying to turn a batch of mundane ingredients into a gourmet goodie that would cost $8 or more if purchased from a specialty store.
4. It is FUN! Whip up a small batch of jam while making supper.
5. You can make low-cost gifts that impress recipients with your skill, caring and daring-do! They will think you spent hours, no need to tell them it only took you 30 minutes.
6. You can create goodies that are NOT available commercially.
7. You can make jams, jellies, conserves or marmalades year round.
8. You can become eco-friendly. Jars can be recycled dozens and dozens of times. AND you can rescue used jars from friends, neighbors and the recycling center.
9. You can spend quality time together with friends.
10. Teach your children to make preserves. Not only will you be teaching them a life-time skill but you will be spending quality time with them creating their favorites. Imagine them giving Grandma a jar of her favorite gourmet marmalade.
51 Recipes
- 16 Jam Recipes
- 10 Marmalade Recipes
- 7 Conserve Recipes
- 18 Jelly Recipes
Here’s What Several Reviewers Had To Say:
Chef Bandler has done it again! If you’re like me, you simply don’t have all day and night in the kitchen. Sometimes, you’re craving something unusual and homemade – but you want it fast! Well, the time you are spending just reading these reviews – you could be finished making a fresh batch of preserves! Chef Bandler has the perfect recipes to prepare & enjoy with friends and family – in less than one hour. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book to add more flavor to your life!
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I have never made my own preserves before, so I got this book from a friend. My friend actually gave me one of her jellies which was “simply marvelous.” That got me interested in making my own. I want to make them all, but had to decide on one to start with … so I chose the Grape Conserve recipe simply because I have never heard of conserves before.
It was easy to make and delicious. I should have made two batches because between me and the kids we have almost finished it all. I’ll definitely be making more.
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Small Batch Preserves is a great book for a beginner like me to begin their journey in making these yummy preserves.
It covers a wide variety of recipes and there is something to suit each one’s unique taste. But what makes this book special is not just the recipes, but the storage tips and the resources chapter in the last which a serious,ardent cook would take in to consideration and it would really help in the long term in making all these recipes come true!
I personally loved the grapes conserve and tomato marmalade (I reduced the spice according to my taste) but it turned out great and it has become a part of my kids everyday breakfast now!
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