Gluhwein Jam

This was a total CWA moment for me...entering my jam in a competition- no matter how small. I had a kilo of plums from our last trip to the Yarra Valley and found this lovely recipe on taste.com.au for a jam with lots of spices and soem red wine. I added some peaches and cherries to the mix- and this jam reminds me so much of Gluhwein, that that's what I've decided to call it.

I had some trouble with setting, so had to add in the juice of another lemon and cooked the actual lemon with it for about half an hour over the times stated below. It's turned out very yummy (passed the husband test) and looks beautiful in the Quattro Stagione jars I bought- fingers crossed I win the Langham Masterclass tickets now.

The Recipe
Makes 7 cups
Ingredients
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 tsp anise seeds
6 cloves
1/2 cinnamon stick
2 dried bay leaves, crumbled
2 cups dry red wine
1.25kg white sugar
1 kg plums , quartered, stoned
700g peaches stoned and chopped
300g pitted cherries
(or instead of mixing, just use 2 kg of plums as per the original recipe)
1/3 cup (80ml) lemon juice

Method
Place spices, bay leaves, wine and 1 cup sugar in a large, wide, heavy-based saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil then simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and leave to cool. When cool, strain though a sieve over a bowl.
Return strained syrup to pan with 1 cup water and plums. Bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer over low-medium heat for 35 minutes.
Uncover pan. Add lemon juice and remaining sugar. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil then simmer, uncovered, over medium heat, skimming any scum from top, for 45-50 minutes or until jam jells when tested. To test, place a small spoonful on a chilled saucer then return to freezer for 1 minute. Run your finger through chilled jam; it should be the consistency of honey and wrinkle slightly when pushed. Once at this stage, pour into hot sterilised jars and seal.