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Marmalade made easy

January 22, 2015
January 22, 2015 - Marmalade made easy
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It may be cold and snowy outside, but I have been warm and toasty inside making marmalade. The best oranges to use for making marmalade are Seville oranges as they are bitter and counteract the amount of sugar required, thus giving a wonderful tangy taste that's not too sweet. They are only available in January from your local fruit and veg shop, but be warned they sell out quickly.

Ingredients:Seville oranges for marmalade

1kg Seville oranges
1 large lemon
2.5 litres water
2kg sugar
a knob of butter

Method:

Marmalade isn't as difficult as you think to make, but it is time consuming. I am always tempted to make a double batch, but this never works as the marmalade doesn't boil sufficiently to make a proper set and the pan is never big enough. You can use a very large saucepan, but it's worth investing in a proper preserving pan with a thick base and shaped sides.

1. Lightly butter the base of the pan to help prevent the marmalade catching.

2. Measure 2.5 litres of water into the pan

3. My top tip for preparing the peel is to use an apple peeler! It's fast and cuts the peel off the oranges creating one long thin strip, which can then be folded and cut up into small pieces - amazingly quick and effective! Put the peel in the pan.

Marmalade peel made easy from David Brown on Vimeo.

4. Cut the peeled oranges and lemon in half and squeeze the juice out of them, again I cheat and use an electric juicer - I'm all for an easy life. Add the juice to the pan.

marmalade pith5. Place any pips and bits of pith that cling to the juicer onto a square of muslin - this is the precious pectin that helps produce a good set.

6. Tie the pips and pith up loosely in the cloth and tie this to the pan handle so that the bag dangles in the water.


7. Bring the pan to the boil and simmer very gently (uncovered) for approximately 2 hours, while you get on with Tweeting, Facebook or other important stuff! The liquid will have reduced as it simmers.

8. Test the peel to make sure it is soft by pressing it between your finger and thumb - if you can squeeze it in half its ready. Remove the bag of pips and leave to cool on a plate.

9. Chill 2 side plates in the fridge - an odd thing to do, but you will need them later to test the set.

10. Pour the 2kg of sugar iadding sugar to marmaladento the pan and stir over a low heat, until all the sugar crystals are completely dissolved.

11. Now that it's cool squeeze the bag of pips so that the pectin oozes out, scrape it off into the pan - the only way to do this effectively is to get your hands sticky! Whisk the pectin into the marmalade.

rapid boil for marmalade


12. Increase the heat until the marmalade comes to a really fast boil. Keep it at a rapid boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally - if you have a jam thermometer you can check it has reached  105°c/220°f.

Don't go off doing other things as it can sometime boil over, even in a huge pan.

Seville marmalade set

13. Remove the pan from the heat and spoon a little marmalade onto the cold plate from the fridge, and place back in the fridge for 3 minutes. Test to see if you have a set yet by pushing the mixture with your finger - if it wrinkles up and leaves a clean trail where your finger was then it's ready.

If a little runny reboil for another 5 minutes and test again.

making Seville marmalade


14. Remove the pan from the heat. If there is a lot of surface scum add a knob of butter to disperse it.

15. Leave the marmalade to cool for 20 minutes - you can go off and walk the dog, or feed the animals!

16. Heat the jars in a medium oven for 5 minutes to steralize.

17. Fill the warm jars with marmfilling jars with marmaladealade right to the top. I find it easiest to use a ladle with a spout.  Seal with wax discs making sure you cover the whole surface. Put the lids on while hot.

If you don't have wax discs you can just put the lid on, turn the jar upside down to seal and store upside down.

18. Label the jars when completely cold and store in a cool, dark place.
marmalade jars

Marmalade is best served on our delicious homemade granary bread - I'm sure Paddington Bear would be delighted to stay at Hoe Grange and try some marmalade sandwiches!

Felicity

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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...

  • star rating  We stayed for a night in one of the cabins . The cabin was spotless and very well equipped , lots of extra touches were added like fresh eggs and... read more

    Ajtravels14
    February 3, 2020

    star rating  Arrived and was shown to our pod, fantastic location and the pod was very good indeed plus we had home made bread and milk and tea and coffee. A... read more

    mickvfr
    July 28, 2019

    star rating  We've just returned from our second visit to Hoe Grange. The suggested riding routes with stunning scenery were enjoyed by my daughter and I while the menfolk were delighted with... read more

    Jdrichie12
    July 11, 2019
  • star rating  For the second year running, we have had a great family holiday at Hoe Grange. We had one cabin for the week, for two sisters and our elderly wheelchair-using... read more

    EJYork2013
    June 25, 2019

    star rating  Another great holiday at Hoe Grange - such a great place for us all to holiday as a family - this time with a baby, a 3 yr old, a... read more

    Thesamps
    October 4, 2019

    star rating  It's been three years since we last visited but once we arrived it certainly didn't feel like it!
    We stayed in Hipley again which had had a refurbished wet... read more

    ElizabethA717
    September 21, 2019
  • star rating  What can I say?
    Absolutely superb!
    We have just returned from a family weekend staying in Daisybank cabin and the Skylark pod.
    It was our first trip away with my... read more

    Wheelieuser
    June 13, 2019

    star rating  We have just returned from a short stay in one of the pods on site at Hoe Grange Holidays. We couldn’t recommend them enough. The pod has everything you could... read more

    Catboy86
    August 17, 2019

    star rating  We stayed in Rainster cabin for a long weekend 6 th to 9 th September. This was my 5 th visit to the amazing Hoe Grange. I had visited before... read more

    Jan Horsman J
    September 17, 2019
  • star rating  We had a lovely time staying in one of the incredibly well equipped pods. I bought my pony along and we had some great rides on the high peak trail.... read more

    plopster1
    June 7, 2019

    star rating  We love this place. Very wheelchair friendly, really well equipped and comfortable, with easy access by car to lots of places of interest particularly Crich Tramway Village, Chatsworth, Bakewell and... read more

    dghiggs61
    October 25, 2019

    star rating  Loved every minute of our stay, and so did the family and friends that came to stay. Excellent facilities in our cosy Hipley log cabin. By far the best... read more

    krimpenijssel
    October 25, 2019
  • star rating  Stayed last week, from 6th to 13th September in the log cabin called Hipley. This was amazing, it was our first visit but certainly not our last. Gold standard disability... read more

    548julie
    September 14, 2019

    star rating  lovely surroundings real farm country with chickens paying you a visit nice decking area to chill at the end of the day accommodation very good plenty to do nearby... read more

    vincent s
    July 28, 2019

    star rating  We spent four nights at Hoe Grange and had a lovely time. The location is fantastic and right next to the High Peak Trail. The cabin was very clean and... read more

    Big_Al_0000
    July 16, 2019
  • star rating  Felicity and David made us feel very welcome right from our booking. The pods are well equipped and spotlessly clean. The area is very peaceful with great views and we... read more

    Adventurer_12121
    January 30, 2020

    star rating  We love this place. Very wheelchair friendly, really well equipped and comfortable, with easy access by car to lots of places of interest particularly Crich Tramway Village, Chatsworth, Bakewell and... read more

    David H
    October 25, 2019

    star rating  Second visit to the accessible holiday cabins at Hoe Grange. David and Felicity were as helpful and friendly as ever. We had a welcome pack of freshly baked bread, butter,... read more

    Charlotte M
    August 7, 2019
  • star rating  What a wonderful find. As our first experience of needing accessible accommodation we could not have wished for better. Beautiful well equipped lodges in lovely surroundings. We stayed in both... read more

    L9943KBlesleym
    April 3, 2020

    star rating  Lovely place to holiday near to interesting locations and easy access to the High Peak trail and Carsington Water. Part of a working farm with fresh produce to enjoy during... read more

    Angie B
    August 3, 2019

    star rating  What a lovely weekend away! We stayed in the lovely gypsy caravan, which was a wonderful and really unique experience. We took along our two horses, who also had a... read more

    rachelthomas2015
    June 18, 2019
  • star rating  We stayed in Pinder cabin and had a lovely stay, the cabin was spacious and comfortable, nice and warm after cold days out. The children loved meeting the animals and... read more

    Tiggywinkle15
    November 5, 2019

    star rating  We stayed in the Skylark pod last October (2018) and had a lovely time. There was homemade, rustic goods (bread, biscuits etc) when we arrived. Felicity and David who run... read more

    KBarry
    September 15, 2019

    star rating  Myself and my sister travelled to Costa Rica and Panama via Viva Holidays Ltd. The holiday was exceptional and one to be treasured forever. Andrew at Viva Holidays... read more

    Paula C
    July 4, 2019
  • star rating  On arriving at Hoe Grange in a downpour, we doubted if we’d made the right decision to go glamping, but after the warm welcome from David and a quick tour,... read more

    karenmD4738KD
    June 25, 2019

    star rating  Recently spent a week in "Pinder" and had a lovely time. The location is stunning - the site is nestled in a beautiful valley on the edge of the Peaks... read more

    Peachey167
    July 16, 2019

    star rating  A beautiful place to stay! Amazingly run family business! Everyone were very welcoming, friendly and cozy! The skylark pod we stayed in was very clean, cozy and well equipped! The... read more

    sophiee249
    January 2, 2020
  • star rating  We stayed in Skylark, one of the two glamping pods available at Hoe Grange in February 2020.

    Felicity & David welcomed us when we arrived to show us around... read more

    HelenLCarter
    February 6, 2020

    star rating  We wanted a complete break and some peace and quiet and this was perfect. The caravan was secluded with beautiful views over the countryside. Everything was spotlessly clean and well... read more

    joanne B
    June 4, 2019

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