Lemon Balm Jelly Recipes

LEMON BALM JELLY

Steps:

• 1. Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan and stir in the lemon balm. Remove from the heat, and let the mixture steep for 10 minutes, as if you were making rose-petal tea. Strain the "tea" making sure to squeeze the leaves to get every last drop of flavor out of them.
• 2. Pour in the fresh lemon juice. You should have exactly 3 cups of liquid after the lemon juice is added, if you don't, put in enough water to make 3 cups. Now pour in your pectin and dissolve.
• 3. Over the highest possible heat, bring the mixture to a boil and add the sugar. When the solution returns to a hard rolling boil, time it for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. After 2 full minutes, transfer the jelly to hot, sterilized glasses and seal according to manufacturer's suggestions.
• 4. Boiling Water Bath can for 10 mins

LEMON VERBENA JELLY

Steps:

• Put the lemon verbena leaves, lemon zest and water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over moderate to high heat, then turn the heat to simmer and cover the pan. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and allow to stand, covered, for several hours.
• Pour the infusion through a strainer into a large, deep saucepan. Press on the leaves to extract all flavor, then discard the leaves and zest. Stir in the lemon juice and sugar and bring to a full rolling boil over high heat. Add food coloring. Stir in the pectin and return to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for two minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from the heat and skim the foam, if necessary. Ladle the jelly into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Seal with new lids and metal rings.
• Process for 5 minutes in a hot water bath. Makes about five 6-ounce jars.
• This subtly flavored jelly is good with scones or toasted brioche, or in the center of thumbprint butter cookies.