BEST APPLE JELLY RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Wash and drain the fruit, then cut the apples in half and add to a large, heavy-based saucepan with an equal quantity of water and the pared lemon zest. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 mins until the apples are pulpy. Stir occasionally using the back of a wooden spoon to help break down the fruit.
• Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little. Place the fruit pulp in a jelly bag and allow the juice to drip through into a large bowl (this will take several hours, so doing this overnight is ideal). If you force the fruit through, this will create a cloudy jelly.
• Put two small saucers in the freezer – you will use these to test the setting point of the jam.
• Weigh the fruity liquid and return to a large saucepan. Weigh three quarters of sugar to your total liquid amount (for example, if you have 400g of liquid, add 300g of sugar).
• Add the sugar to the juice with the lemon juice, and stir over a medium heat until completely dissolved. Turn up the heat and bring the fruit to the boil. Stir occasionally and allow to boil hard for about 8 mins, removing any scum with a spoon. If using a thermometer, you’re looking to reach 105c. If not, check the setting point of the liquid after 8 mins by removing a saucer from the freezer and adding a teaspoon of the liquid to the plate. Allow to sit for a minute, then push your finger through the liquid. If it starts to wrinkle, the jelly is ready. If not, return to the boil and try again after another minute.
• Pour into sterilised jars and allow to cool completely. You can sterilise the jars by washing them in hot soapy liquid, rinsing and placing in an oven at 180C/160C fan/gas 4 for 5 mins. Remove carefully and allow to cool. Store in a cool, dark place.

Steps:

• For the pastry, put the flour in a large mixing bowl with a pinch of salt, add the butter and rub into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir through the sugar with a round-bladed knife, then stir in just enough of the water until the dough starts to come together in chunks (it shouldn’t be sticky). To make this in a food processor, whizz the butter and flour together, then pulse through the sugar and water until the dough starts to come together.
• Bring the dough together with your Hands, then tip onto a floured surface and give it a quick knead until smooth. Roll it out to a rough square, fold it in thirds like a letter, give a quarter turn, then repeat twice. Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill for 30-60 minutes (or see make ahead).
• Heat the oven to 190°C/fan170°C/gas 5. Remove the pastry from the fridge, cut off two thirds (chill the remaining third), then roll out on a floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Use the pastry to line a 23cm x 5cm deep tart case with a removable base. Press it into the edges, trim the excess, then chill (5 minutes in the freezer or 20 minutes in the fridge). Line with foil or baking paper, fill with baking beans or uncooked rice, then blind bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil/paper and beans/rice, then cook for 5 minutes or until the base is sandy coloured with no grey patches.
• In a large bowl, toss the apples with the sugar, spices and cornflour, then use to fill the pastry case. Dot the top of the apples with quince jelly. Roll out the remaining pastry until a little bigger than the pie. Cut off a long, thin strip (enough to fit round the pastry case), wet the edge of the baked pastry case and press the strip of pastry on top, gently, all the way around. Brush this with a little water, then loosely roll the pastry for the lid around a rolling pin and unroll on top of the pie, pressing it gently onto the strip to seal. Trim any overhanging pastry, then crimp the edges with your fingers. Shape the trimmings into decorations, if you like. Cut a steam hole in the centre of the pie, brush the top with the beaten egg to glaze, add the pastry decorations, then glaze again and sprinkle with caster sugar.
• Put the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and crisp. Allow to cool (see tips), then serve with cream or custard.