Scotch Orange Marmalade ~a great Hostess Gift

I love to bring a Hostess gift when we are invited to a dinner party or an Open House.
Frequently I opt for flowers or a plant from the florist and a bottle of wine.

This past week I was seeking to satisfy a creative urge that was washing over me...
and decided to make something home made.

Juicy oranges on the counter were the source of my inspiration.

Mr. HB designed the label

(thank you honey!)

  I will have this printed on card stock and punch a hole in one end making my own rustic label.

 Tie it onto the jar with some twine and perhaps attach a vintage silver jam spoon.

Easy Peasy

The recipe made 9 jars of marmalade...

one which I put into the fridge for Mr. HB and the rest ready for the hot water bath!

I seal these properly so they can be stored in a dark cupboard and will stay fresh for several years...

but they usually don't last that long!

Scotch Marmalade

6 large Navel or Seville oranges

10 c. water

10 c. sugar

1c. Lemon juice

1/2 c. Scotch

1 tbsp. butter

Wash and grate the oranges discard any white bitter pith.

Soak overnight in a large pot.

Bring to a boil and simmer 1 hour.

Cool slightly and add sugar and lemon juice, stir well to dissolve.

Bring back to boil.

Check to see if it has reached the gel stage by using "sheeting" test. 

When poured off the side of the spoon there are no longer two drops, they merge in the middle as one blob!

It may take 1 hour or more.

(90 minutes for this batch)

Skim foam off the top.

When the marmalade has finally reached the gel stage 

Stir in butter and scotch.

Then pour into hot clean jars and seal. 

I use a hot water bath and a canner and process for 10 minutes.

Do you have a favourite Hostess gift?

With the Holiday season in the offing I'm looking for ideas...

Thank you for stopping by and for your comments...they really mean a lot.

Hostess

XO