Basic Basics Jams, Preserves and Chutneys Handbook
Basic Basics Jams, Preserves and Chutneys Handbook is Marguerite Patten’s guide to making a wide range of home preserves. It covers equipment and techniques alongside recipes for jams, marmalades, jellies, curds, pickles, relishes, chutneys and ketchups, with traditional favourites and less familiar examples.
At a glance
- Covers jams, marmalades, jellies, curds, pickles, relishes, chutneys and ketchups.
- Introduces equipment, basic techniques and troubleshooting for home preserving.
- Recipes include family favourites and less familiar preserves, with seasonal produce and foraging as possible sources of ingredients.
Often bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- Broad coverage makes it useful as a reference across several kinds of home preserves, rather than only jam.
- The description includes guidance on equipment and techniques as well as recipes, which can help newer preservers get started.
- Recipes draw on both familiar British favourites and less usual traditional preserves.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Grub Street Publishing |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 1 Jun. 2001 |
| Edition | Revised ed. |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 192 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1902304721 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1902304724 |
| Dimensions | 13.34 x 1.91 x 23.5 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 1.05 kg |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Home cooks looking for a broad reference to jams, marmalades, pickles, chutneys and related preserves.
- Beginners who want explanations of equipment and basic techniques alongside recipes.
- Experienced cooks interested in traditional preserve recipes and seasonal produce.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a guide focused exclusively on one preserve type or a contemporary canning method.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
74% 74% - 4 stars
16% 16% - 3 stars
8% 8% - 2 stars
1% 1% - 1 star
1% 1%
Customer feedback describes the handbook as informative, comprehensive and easy to follow, with recipes reported to work well. That combination may suit both newer and experienced home preservers, especially given the book’s range of preserve types and its introductory technique guidance. The overall rating distribution is mostly five-star, though it also includes lower ratings, so experiences are not uniformly positive.
Positive themes
- Customers describe the recipes as comprehensive and easy to follow.
- Feedback presents the book as a helpful reference for both novice and experienced cooks.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of recipes does the handbook cover?
The listing describes recipes for jams, marmalades, jellies, curds, pickles, relishes, chutneys and ketchups.
Does it explain preserving techniques as well as give recipes?
Yes. The description says it covers equipment and basic techniques, including what to do if things go wrong.
Is the book suitable for beginners?
Its equipment and technique guidance may help beginners, while customer feedback also describes it as a useful reference for more experienced cooks.
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