Looking for another way to integrate wine into your daily routine? For some DIY advice, we turned to special projects manager Anna Mowry, who makes and jars her own gem-toned wine jellies. Follow this simple recipe, adapted from Canning for a New Generation by Liana Krissoff, and you’ll have a unique spread that’s perfect on toast, with cheese, or even in your morning oatmeal. It also makes for a sweet hostess gift for all those impending summer barbecues.
Yield: 5 half-pint jars
Pectin stock:
3 pounds tart apples, such as Granny Smith
6 cups water
Jelly:
One 750-milliliter bottle wine
3 cups pectin stock
2 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
To make the pectin stock, stem and quarter the apples. (Do not peel or remove the cores.) Place the apples and water in a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Boil for 30–40 minutes. Strain the contents of the saucepan through a large chinois or fine-mesh sieve, but do not press down on the solids. Once all of the liquid has been strained, you should have about 5 cups. (This can take several hours.) Transfer the stock to a clean saucepan and reduce to 3 cups, about 20 minutes.
To make the jelly, heat a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and add the wine. Bring to a simmer and reduce to 2 cups. Stir in the stock, sugar, and lemon juice and raise the heat to high. Bring to a boil and use a mesh skimmer to remove bubbles that form on the surface. Continue to boil until the jelly reaches 220°F on an instant-read thermometer. Funnel the jelly into hot, sterilized jars, seal, and process in a hot-water bath.
Note: any type of wine that you enjoy will work great in this recipe. Anna has tried rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Champagne.
