so here's what happened: my grandparents (who live upstairs) ask us if we want some apricots. they were going over to the neighbors and would bring us some. sure, we said. they brought us TONS. i highly doubted we'd eat them.
the next night, i'm home alone - which means i'm definitely not about to have an actual dinner, and i cut up some apricots for myself. naturally, i instagram it. my dear sweet sister chloe's mom comments and says "you should make jam!"
after all, i am just sitting at home by myself. it's only 7 pm. dev won't be home for a few more hours. i'm only watching the bachelorette (way too much emily - arie kissing scenes). so i look up a recipe. and another and another.
and i come up with my own. and i go for it. and it turned out AMAZING. and anyone can do this. even you. it's so tasty. i'm warning you though, you'll be a little grossed out by how much sugar you add. and you'll probably be even more grossed out when you can't stop licking the spoon while the sugar melts... into apricots... mmm... oh, and another warning: everything (everything) will somehow get sticky... anyway. here's the recipe. tutorial style.
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
2 cups apricots (I used 10. mine were pretty small. use maybe 8 if yours are bigger)
1/2 Tbsp good vanilla (i used mexican - from a little kitchen shop here in orem)
1/2 cup water
1. cut apricots in half. remove the pits, but leave the skin on.
2. put in a big pot, and add the sugar
3. stir a little to get the sugar combined well
4. put on low heat and add water and vanilla, mix well
5. once the sugar has melted (it doesn't take too long), turn to medium heat, and let it simmer for awhile (i did between 5 and 10 minutes) , stirring occasionally - i also used the spoon to smoosh the apricots a little bit, to help speed up the process and let them soften all the way through, faster.
6. bring heat back down to low and let it simmer for about 40 minutes, until the apricots get all mushy and start melting. stirring will help them melt faster, so stir often. you'll see it getting thicker as time goes by, so don't worry if it looks too liquid-y at the beginning.
7. when the mixture starts sticking to the spoon and looking like, you know, jam (you'll know) take off the heat, and let it cool down to room temperature.
8. give it a big stir, and then put in jars!
ta freakin' da. you just made jam.
RECIPE:
1. cut apricots in half. remove the pits, but leave the skin on.
2. put in a big pot, and add the sugar
3. stir a little to get the sugar combined well
4. put on low heat and add water and vanilla, mix well
5. once the sugar has melted (it doesn't take too long), turn to medium heat, and let it simmer for awhile (i did between 5 and 10 minutes) , stirring occasionally - i also used the spoon to smoosh the apricots a little bit, to help speed up the process and let them soften all the way through, faster.
6. bring heat back down to low and let it simmer for about 40 minutes, until the apricots get all mushy and start melting. stirring will help them melt faster, so stir often. you'll see it getting thicker as time goes by, so don't worry if it looks too liquid-y at the beginning.
7. when the mixture starts sticking to the spoon and looking like, you know, jam (you'll know) take off the heat, and let it cool down to room temperature.
8. give it a big stir, and then put in jars!
