STRAWBERRY SYRUP USES RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat; stir until sugar is dissolved. Mix strawberries into saucepan and bring to a boil; boil for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until strawberries are mushy and sauce is thick, about 10 minutes. Strain liquid into a bottle and refrigerate.

Steps:

• Gently rinse the berries under cold running water.
• Remove the caps and stems.
• Place the berries in a large mixing bowl and mash them well.
• Add the lemon juice, stir well.
• Place mashed berries in a medium sauce pot, over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil.
• REDUCE heat and let simmer until soft, about 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Place colander over a sauce pot. Drape with clean white cotton cloth.
• Pour the strawberries in the strainer, let drain until cool.
• Squeeze as much juice as possible from the berries. Set aside for now.
• Wash jars and bands in hot soapy water, rinse well.
• Place jars in boiling water, let boil for 15 minutes to sterilize.
• Place smaller sauce pot, half filled with water, over lowest heat setting on stove top.
• Add the bands and NEW lids to the water, let stay until ready to seal jars.
• Prepare your canning station, have everything needed on hand and ready.
• Measure the amount of berry juice produced. You should have 4½ to 5 cups of liquid.
• Place juice in large sauce pot.
• Adjust the sugar to juice ratio as desired for your own personal tastes.
• Add sugar, stir mixture constantly to prevent burning and sticking.
• Bring mixture to a boil, let simmer at this point for ONE minute.
• Remove jars from hot water, set on towel.
• Using a ladle and funnel, fill jars, leaving ¼ inch head space.
• Using a damp cloth, wipe the tops and threads of the jar, cleaning well.
• Lift one lid from water and center on top of jar.
• Lift one band from water, place on jar, tighten only finger tight.
• Repeat this process until all jars are filled.
• Place sealed jars in canning rack of water bath canner.
• Lower the filled rack into the water.
• Water must cover the jar tops by about 1-2 inches at all times.
• Bring back to a boil, cover the canning pot.
• Start timing the canning process.
• Process the jars based on the proper altitude time for your area.
• When processed, raise the rack and let rest on rim of canner for five minutes.
• Carefully lift the jars, place on a folded towel in a draft free area, undisturbed for 24 hours.
• Resist the urge to press the tops of the jars for a full 24 hours.
• Enjoy the “ping” sound as your jars seal.
• If the button on the lid remains down, jars are properly sealed.
• Any jars that did not seal may be refrigerated and used first.
• Store jars in a cool dark area for up to one year.
• Enjoy!