Homemade Lemon Jam (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 4 juicy, ripe lemons (large size).
02 - 2 cups white sugar.
03 - 1 cup fresh water.
04 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (if desired).

# Instructions:

01 - Clean lemons thoroughly under running water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
02 - Grate the outer yellow skin of the lemons to get zest, then squeeze them to collect all the juice, removing any seeds you find.
03 - Put the fresh lemon juice, zest, sugar and water in a cooking pot and stir until sugar melts completely.
04 - Turn heat to medium and bring everything to a nice bubbling boil.
05 - Lower the heat and let it cook gently for 30-40 minutes, giving it a stir now and then.
06 - Drop a small spoonful on a cold plate - if it stays firm, it's ready. If it runs, cook it a bit longer.
07 - Take the pot off the heat and let the jam cool down a little before pouring it into clean jars.
08 - Close the jars tightly and wait for them to cool completely.

# Notes:

01 - Pick bright, heavy lemons for best flavor.
02 - Always use clean jars to keep jam fresh longer.
03 - Try adding fresh herbs while cooking for extra flavor.
04 - Change sugar amount to match your taste.
05 - Jam gets thicker as it cools down.

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