Microwave Apple Jam

          Homemade jams are always more special than the store bought ones and I had always wanted to make some, but kept putting it off since my family is not the 'jam' kind, they like savory sandwiches better. But this time I had so much apples at home, I had bought some and then a visiting friend had got some more, and I knew I had to do something with it. This apple jam, it's from a cook book that came with my microwave oven. It's such an easy method, I followed the original recipe, except for the amount of sugar and I added some ginger which gave a nice flavor and taste to the jam. My daughter who's not a big fan of jelly sandwiches, loved this jam and I was so happy, that my maiden attempt at jam making was a success..

Need To Have

• Apples - chopped, 21/2 cups
• Sugar - 1/2 cup
• Grated Ginger - 1/2 teaspoon
• Lemon Juice - 2 tablespoons

Method

          In a deep microwave safe bowl, take the chopped apples, sugar and ginger, mix and microwave it at 100% power level for 5 minutes. At the end of 5 minutes, it would look slightly cooked, cool it and blend it. Don't make a very smooth paste, it's okay to have a couple of pieces here and there, it gives a nice texture to the jam.

          Take the mixture in the same microwave bowl and this time microwave it at 60% power level for 10 to 15 minutes, mixing it in between after every 2 to 3 minutes. The final product should be thick and should have a jam consistency, remove it from the microwave, mix in the lemon juice, cool and refrigerate.

Note
I cooked the jam, the second time for 15 minutes, but this is a general guidance and it could be more or less, depending on your microwave model.
The amount of sugar you add depends on the sweetness of the apples, taste the ground mixture, you can always add more sugar at this stage.