Herb Jelly

Here's a recipe I heard about from the African basket lady (Regina) at the Citrus Heights Farmer's Market today. It's made with Pomona's Pectin and apple cider or juice. The original recipe calls for dried Rosemary, but Regina says she made a great batch of jelly using dried Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) instead. She cautions not to use French lavender (Lavandin) because (as we know) it's too high in camphor.

Lavender or Rosemary Apple Jelly

4 cups apple cider or apple juice
4 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4 teaspoons dried lavender or rosemary
4 teaspoons Pomona's pectin
2 teaspoons calcium water (from the Pomona's pectin box)
1/2 cup honey

Heat apple cider or juice in a medium size pot with apple cider vinegar and calcium water. Bring to a boil, add herbs, turn off and let steep for 30 minutes. Mix the pectin thoroughly with the honey. Strain out the herbs, add pectin/honey mixture and bring just to a boil. Take off burner, spoon into sterilized jars and process via the hot water bath method for about 5 minutes.

If you'd like to make the above recipe using essential oil (s) instead of the dried herb, modify the recipe as follows:

Same ingredients, but substitute one or two drops of therapeutic quality Lavandula angustifolia or Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil. Be sure to choose an essential oil that you KNOW has not been adulterated or extended with chemicals of any kind (check out Young Living Essential Oils).

Heat the cider or juice in a medium size pot with vinegar and calcium water. Bring to a boil. Thoroughly mix the pectin in with the honey and add to the hot juice. Bring just to a boil again and then take pot off the burner. Add one to two drops essential oil and mix thoroughly. Spoon into sterilized jars and process as above.

Let me know how you like it! Enjoy!