Food & Cooking Recipes Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes Hot-Pepper Jelly Be the first to rate & review! By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 16, 2017 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Christopher Testani Prep Time: 45 mins Total Time: 5 hrs Yield: 2 cups Pepper jelly makes a spicy-sweet match for soft cheeses, such as goat or Camembert (or even cream cheese) -- especially when served atop crackers or crostini. You can also use the jelly as a glaze for chicken or pork: Melt it, then brush it on the meat before roasting or after grilling. Ingredients 2 pounds unpeeled, uncored apples, cut into 1-inch chunks ½ cup apple-cider vinegar 1 ½ teaspoons coarse salt ½ cup diced bell pepper 2 tablespoons minced seeded hot chile pepper, such as habanero or serrano 1 ½ cups sugar Directions Place a few small plates in freezer. Combine apples and 2 1/2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, mashing occasionally with a potato masher, until fruit is very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer fruit to a fine sieve set over a heatproof bowl; let drain without pressing on fruit, 4 hours. Strain again through sieve lined with damp cheesecloth. (You should have 2 cups.) In a saucepan, bring juice, vinegar, salt, bell pepper, and hot pepper to a boil. Add sugar; return to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cook, stirring, 11 minutes. Turn off heat. Place a small spoonful of jelly on a chilled plate; return to freezer 1 minute. Remove and push your finger through mixture; if it wrinkles, it is done. If not, return to a boil for 1 to 2 minutes, then check again. (Or cook until a thermometer registers 221 degrees.) Skim foam from top. Ladle into clean containers, leaving 3/4 inch of headroom; let cool completely. Cover, label, and refrigerate up to 1 month, or freeze up to 1 year. Rate it Print