Goji (Rework) Spread

You know, if you need to integrate a fruit or other ingredient into a jelly, there aren’t any laws on the books regulating your behavior. That being said, it is 100% plausible that you can just take an already prepared jelly, and integrate your desired ingredients. If you are a purist, you can go ahead and develop scratch versions, but if it just a matter of integrating an herb or fruit that doesn’t make a very good “stand alone” jelly, then it may be your best bet. For instance, dried goji berries can have a tendency to be a little bitter on their own, but are actually not too shabby when pureed and integrated into a strawberry or watermelon jelly.

As long as the jelly volume is enough to well cover the fruit volume, you’re pretty much in good shape. But, depending on whether you choose to crush, puree, or leave it whole you might change your name up. For simple herb infusions, you might have luck just making a decoction in a small amount of boiling water and straining it into the melted jelly before jarring it up.

Goji (Rework) Spread

Goji (Rework) Spread

Yield: 1 Jar
Author:
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

  • 1 Jar of Your Favorite Strawberry Jelly (room temperature)
  • Ball Canning Jar (larger than your original jar)
  • Dried Goji Berries-----1 Cup
  • Hot Water----2 Cups
  • Heavy Bottomed Pot for Simmering
  • Heat Resistant Emersion Blender
  • Wire Whisk

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, cover goji berries with 1 cup hot water. Allow to hydrate 15 minutes.
  2. Once goji is hydrated, discard water and re-top with just enough water to get the mixture moving.
  3. Puree goji with emersion blender until well blended.
  4. Spoon jelly into the pot, and slowly bring to heat stirring frequently to avoid scorching.
  5. Add goji berry puree to jelly and whisk well.
  6. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
  7. Carefully pour mixture into the final jar and allow to cool at room temperature.
  8. Store refrigerated for later use, or can for dry storage.
  9. Note: Goji berries are pretty “seedy”, so if you prefer a smoother jelly, you can loosen the puree us a little bit more with water and force it through a fine mesh strainer.