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4:51 pm
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Fri 9-Sep-11
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I was just getting my jars out of the oven to fill them with the beetroot/crab apple jelly when my nose suddenly went on to Red Alert - sniff sniff, burning, burning, what could be burning. Looked into oven - maybe something in there? There were a few spots of apple in there from yesterdays apple pie which had dripped onto bottom of oven.
But then - horror 
I think it might be my jelly. It hasn't stuck to bottom of pan but it definitely smells a bit like it might have burnt. Also, despite my adding a knob of butter it just woudn't stop 'foaming' even when it had been turned off.
Now I'm in a quandry.....I've never burnt jam before or jelly so how do I tell if its ruined? Should I just pot it up and see whats it's like. There's only a small amount which is maybe why it burnt - if it burnt.
I had 600g crab apples and same amount of beetroot which only produce 600ml of juice. Added some lemon juice (1/2 small lemon) and 400g sugar. Please tell me I haven't totally wasted my afternoon 
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
4:53 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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You'll just have to taste it, I think that is the only way to tell...
I'll try that again!
4:56 pm
Expert
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Fri 9-Sep-11
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I just went to have a look and guess what - it's just like toffee 
It must have been too hot for the butter and it's turned it into sticky toffee.
Oh Bug*er 
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
5:53 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Are you going to try to rescue it by adding water and re-boiling?
I'll try that again!
6:29 pm
Expert
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Fri 9-Sep-11
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Nope - it was too far gone. It had horrible smell like burnt butter. I can't believe how quickly it went from being a nice silky jelly consistencey to sticky thick goo. I had to put boiling water in it just to dilute it enough to pour down outside drain. I put 2 kettles of boiling water down on top of it in the hopes it wont block the pipes up 
A little bit trickled onto brickwork and it went hard in minutes.
I created a monster 
and was glad to get rid of it in the end but what a waste of time and energy. Still if you dont try you dont learn - but not sure I would bother again. The little bit I put on saucer to test tasted nice - but nothing like beetroot. It was quite sweet, lovely colour but could have been anything.
Oh poo what a rotten day 
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
6:34 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Oh Maura what a shame. It is always a disappointment when things go wrong. It sounds dreadful to get rid of. 
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
6:49 pm
Supreme Being
Wed 30-Dec-09
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Oh Maura - can understand how you felt - I've done it myself over the years - what a waste. Good luck on the next batch. 
6:49 pm
Expert
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Fri 9-Sep-11
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Thanks - I'm feeling a bit miserable but hey ho it was only my 2nd disaster so not too bad for a novice.
Also someone let me down badly today and that upset me a lot more. I had done an awful lot for this person who many had described as 'high maintenance' but I really tried to be a good friend anyway. She turned out to be one of life's takers and spent most of this morning being really unpleasant. It happens but it is hurtful all the same.
I'll get over the spoiled jelly a lot quicker but I really appreciated your message
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
6:51 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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That's rotten luck on both counts Maura, I hope tomorrow is better for you.
I'll try that again!
7:57 pm
Councillor
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Maura- beetroots are difficult customers- a bit like the person who let you down- when you cook them as beets they have a really rather robust flavour, and they beguile you into thinking they will be great for jelly but when you use them they somehow loose that and become just a sugary purple dye with all the beetiness vanished.Possibly your jelly burnt fast as beets have a high sugar content. If using beet for jelly I usually add blackcurrants/some cassis to them to boost the flavour. They are duplicitous little purple monsters...
Kateuk makes things at http://www.etsy.com/shop/finkstuff and sometimes she does this too http://www54paintings.blogspot.com/ and also this http://finkstuff.weebly.com/
9:21 pm
Supreme Being
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Tue 22-Sep-09
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If it's any consolation Maura, my first attempt at Red onion Marmalade was similar, I cooked it for far too long, put it in jars, the next day I went to try it and found I have invented red onion toffee - yummy ( I think not!)
7:20 am
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Fri 9-Sep-11
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Yes thanks very much I appreciate your support and I do feel consoled 
I am a bit put off from trying to be inventive tho, I don't want to end up like the old lady in the Vicar of Dibley - Mrs Cropley 
Kate - thanks for advice re crab apples on another post and also about beetroot. You are so right about beetroot and I think I'll just have to put that one behind me and accept you can't make jelly that has that beetrooty taste.
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
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