Recipe of Cherry and mint jam

[josetteM.]

Here is a nice recipe of cherry jam.
To be prepared overnight

1,2 kilos of cherries, ripe. When stones are removed: 1 kilo( I keep about a dozen or so stones to put in each jar, to give the nice taste of cherry!)
800g critallised sugar
1 small lemon
25 to 30 leaves of fresh mint from the garden.

Prepare the fruit, remove the stones,( keep 12 or so stones)
Boil 25cl water, take from the stove and drop the mint leaves , cover and let brew for about 10 minutes.
Put the cherries, the lemon juice and the sugar together in a large bowl. When the infusion is ready, pour it over the fruit, sugar and lemon. Cover and keep in a cool place, fridge for example or cellar...could be from 8 up to 12 hours
The longer the better.

Then, remove the cherries and the mint leaves from the bowl and keep aside

In a jam pan, bring the juice to the boil while stirring. Boil until the sugar thermometer says 110°c ( when the bubbles on the surface are round and shiny)
Then add the cherries and the mint leaves, and boil, for 10 minutes .
When the syrup is thicker and the fruit look " candied, test on a small plate, it should not be fluid

When it is ready , store in clean boiled jars and close with the twisting cover immediately, turn the jars upside down
Don't forget to put one of the stones in each jar!

Better after a few weeks so that the tastes merge together.
Refreshing jam for summer, or any time. Could be served with cheese.

Recipe given by Burgundy/ Josette.