| How to Make Mango Jam Posted: 31 Jan 2020 04:00 PM PST Making jam is a great way to capture the natural sweetness and delicate flavor of mangoes. Chop the mangoes into small pieces and cook them with lots of sugar, lemon juice, and pectin. You can even customize your mango jam to come up with completely unique flavor combinations. Once the jam is as thick as you like, transfer it to sterilized jars and enjoy the jam on toast, waffles, or pancakes. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Basic Mango Jam - 6 to 7 large mangoes
- 1 cup (200 g) of sugar
- of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons (25 g) of powdered pectin
Makes 2 cups (650 g) of jam [Edit]Cooking Basic Mango Jam - Slice the flesh from 6 or 7 large mangoes. Rinse the mangoes and put them on a cutting board. Hold a mango against the board and carefully cut down 1 side of it. Try to cut as close to the seed in the center, so you're able to remove the most fruit. Then, slice down the other side of the mango. Scoop the flesh from both pieces and chop it into pieces.[1]
- Use a small knife to trim the flesh around the seed itself.
- You should get around 4 cups (660 g) of mango pieces.
- Put the mango pieces in a pot with sugar, lemon juice, and pectin. Place the chopped mango in a large pot on the stove. Add 1 cup (200 g) of sugar, of lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons (25 g) of powdered pectin.[2]
- The pectin helps the jam set up. If you prefer a looser jam, you can leave the pectin out.
- Stir the mixture and cook it over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Stir well so the mango pieces are coated with the sugar. Continue to stir the mixture every few minutes until the sugar dissolves and becomes liquidy.[3]
- It should take about 3 to 4 minutes for the sugar to dissolve.
- Bring the jam to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn the burner up so the liquid becomes syrupy and starts to bubble vigorously. Stir the jam occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pot or boiling over.[4]
- It's important to use a large pot so the jam doesn't bubble over as it cooks.
- Cook the mango jam until it reaches . Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot or occasionally insert an instant-read thermometer into the jam to see if the jam has reached the setting temperature of . Stir the jam occasionally as it bubbles and thickens.[5]
- Skim off foam that floats to the top of the jam and discard it since becomes rubbery if you leave it in the jam.
- Spoon the jam into sterilized jars. Get out 2 sterilized half-pint jars and place a funnel on a jar. Carefully spoon the mango jam into the jar and leave headspace. Place a sterilized lid on the jar and screw on a band until it's finger tight.[6]
- Although you can soften the lids in hot water before pressing them on the jars, you don't have to in order to get a good seal.
- Process the jars or store them in the refrigerator. For long-term storage, place the jars in a water bath so they're covered by at least of water. Boil the jars for 10 minutes and then set the jars aside until the jars are at room temperature. If you don't want to can the jam, put the jars in the refrigerator and use them within 3 weeks.[7]
- If you process the jam, store the jars at room temperature for up to 1 year. Press down on the lid to check that the seal doesn't pop back up before you open the jar and eat the jam.
[Edit]Trying Variations - Swap half of the mango for peaches or nectarines. Although pure mango jam is delicious, it's also fun to add another fruit to the jam. Use half of the mango called for in the recipe and replace the other half with peeled peaches, nectarines, or stonefruit. Mango also pairs well with any of these fruits:[8]
- Strawberries
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Plums
- Substitute honey or alternative sweetener for the granulated sugar. If you don't want to use white sugar, add as much of your favorite sweetener as you like. Try honey, agave, or a low-calorie sweetener. Keep in mind that since sugar acts as a preservative and you're leaving it out, you'll need to refrigerate the mango jam and use it sooner.[9]
- Store jars of the mango jam in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
- Add 1 teaspoon (2 g) of your favorite ground spice for a unique flavor. Customize your mango jam by stirring in dried spice halfway through the cooking time. You can use a single spice or a combination that equals 1 teaspoon (2 g). Consider using any of these spices or seasonings:[10]
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla paste
- Leave out the sugar and pectin to make a loose mango spread. If you want the natural sweetness of the mango to really come out, don't add any sugar, honey, or sweetener. Cook the mango with of water over medium heat until the mango breaks down and thickens.[11]
- If you'd like smoother spread, push the mango spread through a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl.
- Because there's no added sweetener to the spread, store it in the refrigerator and use it within 2 weeks.
- If you can't find fresh mangoes to use, buy frozen mangoes that have already been peeled and chopped. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before making the jam.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Large pot
- Spoon
- Small plate
- Candy thermometer or instant-read thermometer
- Funnel
- Jars with lids
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Paper Straw Posted: 31 Jan 2020 08:00 AM PST Paper straws come in all sorts of colors and are a great way to add a unique touch to any event. They can get expensive, however, and sometimes you just can't find the exact color or pattern that you need. Fortunately, it's possible to make paper straws at home. All you need to get started are dowels, scrapbooking paper, some glue, and paraffin wax. [Edit]Cutting and Rolling the Straws - Cut patterned scrapbooking paper into wide strips. Find some scrapbooking paper in a pattern that you like, then use a paper slicer or paper guillotine to cut it into wide strips. How many strips you cut is up to you. Each strip will make 1 straw.[1]
- Don't use scrapbooking cardstock; it's too stiff and heavy to hold curls, which is vital to making straws.[2] You can also use printer paper for plain white straws.
- Look for standard, patterned scrapbooking paper. It's a medium-weight, paper.[3]
- Apply glue to the back of a strip, from a long edge. Flip a strip over so that the back is visible. Next, draw a line of liquid glue along 1 of the long edges. Rather than having the glue touch the edge, however, apply it from the edge. The glue should still touch the narrow edges of the strip, however.[4]
- In most cases, the back of the paper will be white. If you're using double-sided paper, work on the side that you don't want to be visible.
- Any type of liquid glue will work as long as it says "non-toxic" on the bottle. Make sure that you make the line as thin as possible.
- Set a thick dowel at a 45-degree angle at 1 end of the strip. One end of the dowel should be sticking out just part the corner that has the glue on it. The rest of the dowel should be facing the un-glued edge of the paper.[5]
- Choose a dowel that is about long. This will be much easier to work with than a long dowel.
- If you can't find a dowel that short, cut a longer one down with a hand saw or heavy-duty gardening shears.
- Roll the paper around the dowel, overlapping it with each wrap. Make sure that you overlap the paper enough so that the glued edge touches paper—not wood. A little over would be good. This is sort of like making a candy cane, except that you aren't leaving any gaps between the "stripes."[6]
- Keep the paper snug so that it holds its shape, but don't roll it too tightly, or it will be difficult to remove.
- If the end of the paper doesn't stay down, secure it with a drop of glue.
- Slide the paper off the dowel and allow it to dry overnight. The paper should stick together on its own, even after you slide it off the dowel. If you're worried about it coming unrolled, however, wrap painter's tape around each end before you pull the paper off.[7]
- Painter's tape is a great choice because it's easy to remove and doesn't leave residue.
- Once you have removed the first straw, you can use the dowel to create more.
- Trim the ends of the straws to make them flat. Because of how you rolled the paper, the ends of the straws will be pointy. This won't be very comfortable or convenient when it comes to drinking from the straws, so use a pair of scissors to snip the points off.[8]
- If you made more than 1 straw, measure the straws against each other to ensure that they're all the same length.
- How short you cut your straw is up to you. Make sure that both ends are flat and not angled, however.
- The ends of the straw may get dented as you cut them. Use a chopstick, knitting needle, or other tapered tool to push them back into shape.[9]
[Edit]Coating the Straws - Break some canning paraffin wax into a jar. Find a large glass jar that's deep enough to fit your straw all the way in. Break some paraffin wax into smaller pieces, then add them to the jar. Use enough wax to fill the jar 1/2 to 2/3 of the way; how much you end up using will depend on the size of the jar.[10]
- Don't use candle-making wax as it may not be food-safe. If you can't find canning paraffin wax, use beeswax. Be aware that it will have a slight fragrance.
- Do not use soy wax. It melts at low temperatures and will give your straws a sticky, greasy feel.
- Melt the wax in a pot of hot water over low to medium-low heat. Place the jar into a pot, then fill the pot with a few inches/centimeters of water. Turn the stove on to low or medium-low heat, and wait for the wax to melt. This can take 10 to 15 minutes, so be patient.[11]
- As the wax melts, you may need to add more pieces of paraffin wax; it needs to be deep enough to fit your straw 1/2 or 2/3 of the way in.
- Paraffin wax is flammable, so don't be tempted to speed the process up by turning the heat up. Slow, low, and steady is the key.[12]
- How much water you use will vary. The top of the water needs to be level with the top of the wax in the jar.
- Dip the straw into the wax then pull it out. Don't leave the straw in the wax for too long. Just dip it in and pull it out. If you leave it too long in the wax, the glue may dissolve and the straw may come apart.[13]
- You won't be able to dip the straw all the way in, which is fine. As long as you can get it 1/2 to 2/3 of the way into the wax, you're good.
- Let the wax drip back into the jar then wipe the rest off with a towel. Hold the straw over the jar of melted wax until it stops dripping. Next, run a paper towel across the waxed portion of the straw to remove the excess wax.[14]
- Don't remove all of the wax—just the excess. A light sweep of your paper towel should be plenty.[15]
- If the end of the straw is clogged with wax, stick a chopstick into it, twist it 2 to 3 times, then pull it out.[16]
- The wax shouldn't stick to the paper towel. If it does, use a paper towel with a smoother texture. Don't use tissues or toilet paper; they're too soft and will stick.
- Dip the other side of the straw into the wax, then wipe that off too. Rotate the straw by 180 degrees, then dip the other end into the wax. Pull it out immediately, then let the wax drip back into the jar. Use a paper towel to wipe the excess wax off.[17]
- The wax should already be hard by the time you rotate it and dip it. If it's still wet, however, let it dry first; otherwise, you'll get fingerprints.
- Dip the straw a little more than 1/2 or 2/3 of the way so that the wax overlaps onto the already-waxed portion. This way, you won't have any gaps.[18]
- Let the straw finish drying on a plastic bag. The wax layer is very thin, so it should harden almost instantly. The inside of the straw may still be wet however, so set the straw down on a plastic bag and let it dry for a few minutes. Once the straw is dry, it's ready to use.[19]
- The straw may look translucent once it's dry, which is normal. This is due to the nature of the paraffin wax.
- If you have other straws to dip, now is the time to do so.
- If you don't have access to a stove, heat the wax in a jar on a candle warmer or mug warmer.[20]
- If you can't find paper that you like, print out your own designs. Since you'll be coating the paper with wax anyway, you don't have to worry about the ink bleeding.[21]
- If the hot water is generating too much steam, turn the stove off. The wax will remain in a liquid state long enough for you to be able to dip at least a couple of straws.[22]
- Don't pour the leftover wax down the drain. Let it harden, then discard it in the trash. Alternatively, use it to make candles.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Scrapbooking paper
- A paper trimmer or paper guillotine
- Non-toxic liquid glue
- Scissors
- wide wood dowel
- Paraffin wax
- Glass jar
- Pot
- Paper towels
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Write a Research Statement Posted: 31 Jan 2020 12:00 AM PST The research statement is a very common component of job applications in academia. The statement provides a summary of your research experience, interests, and agenda for reviewers to use to assess your candidacy for a position. Because the research statement introduces you as a researcher to the people reviewing your job application, it's important to make the statement as impressive as possible. After you've planned out what you want to say, all you have to do is write your research statement with the right structure, style, and formatting! [Edit]Planning Your Research Statement - Ask yourself what the major themes or questions in your research are. Outline the main questions that drive your research and that you strive to answer. Write these questions and topics down so that you'll be better able to articulate them in your research statement.[1]
- For example, some of the major themes of your research might be slavery and race in the 18th century, the efficacy of cancer treatments, or the reproductive cycles of different species of crab.
- You may have several small questions that guide specific aspects of your research. Write all of these questions out, then see if you can formulate a broader question that encapsulates all of these smaller questions.
- Identify why your research is important. Do this for academics both inside and outside your field, even if the position you're applying for is in your field of study. Additionally, expect your audience to have a basic understanding of your field, but don't assume they will be an expert in a particular discipline. This might includes ways that your research can be applied to future problems or simply how your research addresses a knowledge gap in your field.[2]
- For example, if your work is on x-ray technology, describe how your research has filled any knowledge gaps in your field, as well as how it could be applied to x-ray machines in hospitals.
- It's important to be able to articulate why your research should matter to people who don't study what you study to generate interest in your research outside your field. This is very helpful when you go to apply for grants for future research.
- Describe what your future research interests are. The reviewers who read your statement don't just want to know what you've researched in the past; they also want to know what you plan to research if they give you the job or fellowship you're applying for. Think about what new questions you would like this research to answer or what new elements of your topic you'd like to explore.[3]
- Explain why these are the things you want to research next. Do your best to link your prior research to what you hope to study in the future. This will help give your reviewer a deeper sense of what motivates your research and why it matters.
- Think of examples of challenges or problems you've solved. These can be questions that your previous research has answered or problems that have emerged during the course of your research that you had to work around. This will serve not only to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, but also to highlight how your past research has been successful.[4]
- For example, if your research was historical and the documents you needed to answer your question didn't exist, describe how you managed to pursue your research agenda using other types of documents.
- List the relevant skills you can use at the institution you're applying to. Mention these skills throughout your research statement and describe how you were able to use them to achieve a goal. This will help the committee assess how compatible you are with the research undertaken at the institution and how likely you are to succeed in the future.[5]
- Some skills you might be able to highlight include experience working with digital archives, knowledge of a foreign language, or the ability to work collaboratively. When you're describing your skills, use specific, action-oriented words, rather than just personality traits. For example, you might write "speak Spanish" or "handled digital files."
- Don't be modest about describing your skills. You want your research statement to impress whoever is reading it.
[Edit]Structuring and Writing the Statement - Put an executive summary in the first section. Write 1-2 paragraphs that include a summary of your research agenda and its main focus, any publications you have, your plans for future research, and your ultimate career goals. Place these paragraphs at the very beginning of your research statement. Treat this section as a concise summary of the things you plan to talk about in the rest of the statement.[6]
- Because this section summarizes the rest of your research statement, you may want to write the executive summary after you've written the other sections first.
- Write your executive summary so that if the reviewer chooses to only read this section instead of your whole statement, they will still learn everything they need to know about you as an applicant.
- Make sure that you only include factual information that you can prove or demonstrate. Don't embellish or editorialize your experience to make it seem like it's more than it is.
- Describe your graduate research in the second section. Write 1-2 paragraphs that detail the specific research project or projects you did in graduate school, including your dissertation or thesis. Be sure to describe why your research was important, what challenges you overcame in carrying out this research, and what skills you developed as a result.[7]
- If you received a postdoctoral fellowship, describe your postdoc research in this section as well.
- If at all possible, include research in this section that goes beyond just your thesis or dissertation. Your application will be much stronger if reviewers see you as a researcher in a more general sense than as just a student.
- Discuss your current research projects in the third section. This is especially important if you're applying for a position after you've already graduated from graduate school. Write about research you've carried out since your graduation to give the reviewers an image of you as a professional researcher.[8]
- Again, as with the section on your graduate research, be sure to include a description of why this research matters and what relevant skills you bring to bear on it.
- If you're still in graduate school, you can omit this section.
- Write about your future research interests in the fourth section. Describe in 1 paragraph the different themes, questions, and topics you'd pursue in your research if your application is accepted. If you have multiple different projects you're interested in pursuing, use more than 1 paragraph to make this section more organized.[9]
- Be realistic in describing your future research projects. Don't describe potential projects or interests that are extremely different from your current projects. If all of your research to this point has been on the American civil war, future research projects in microbiology will sound very farfetched.
- Acknowledge how your work complements others' research. Take every opportunity you can in your research statement to point out areas where the work being done at the institution you're applying to is similar to your own research. This will indicate to your reviewers that you've researched the institution and you've actually thought about your future there.[10]
- For example, add a sentence that says "Dr. Jameson's work on the study of slavery in colonial Georgia has served as an inspiration for my own work on slavery in South Carolina. I would welcome the opportunity to be able to collaborate with her on future research projects."
- Discuss potential funding partners in your research statement. Talk about the different research grants, fellowships, and other sources of funding that you could apply for during your tenure with the institution. This will help the committee to see the value that you'd bring to the institution if they hired you.[11]
- For example, if your research focuses on the history of Philadelphia, add a sentence to the paragraph on your future research projects that says, "I believe based on my work that I would be a very strong candidate to receive a Balch Fellowship from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania."
- If you've received funding for your research in the past, mention this as well.
- Aim to keep your research statement to about 2 pages. It's okay if your statement is closer to 1 page or 3 pages, so long as it isn't too short or too long. If you can't fit everything you're trying to say to around 2 pages, cut some of the less important sections or use more concise language.[12]
- Typically, your research statement should be about 1-2 pages long if you're applying for a humanities or social sciences position. For a position in psychology or the hard sciences, your research statement may be 3-4 pages long.
- Although you may think that having a longer research statement makes you seem more impressive, it's more important that the reviewer actually read the statement. If it seems too long, they may just skip it, which will hurt your application.
[Edit]Formatting and Editing - Maintain a polite and formal tone throughout the statement. Use language and phrases that you would use in a formal setting and that speaks to your professionalism. Remember, the people reading your statement are assessing you as a job candidate.[13]
- For example, instead of saying, "This part of my research was super hard," say, "I found this obstacle to be particularly challenging."
- Avoid using technical jargon when writing the statement. Write your statement so that a person outside your field can understand your research projects and interests as well as someone in your field can. The reviewer can't get excited about your research if they can't understand what it's about![14]
- For example, if your research is primarily in anthropology, refrain from using phrases like "Gini coefficient" or "moiety." Only use phrases that someone in a different field would probably be familiar with, such as "cultural construct," "egalitarian," or "social division."
- If you have trusted friends or colleagues in fields other than your own, ask them to read your statement for you to make sure you don't use any words or concepts that they can't understand.
- Write in present tense, except when you're describing your past work. Use present verb tense to talk about your current and future research projects, potential collaborators, and potential sources of funding. Only write in the past tense when you're writing about research and accomplishments that actually took place in the past.[15]
- For example, when describing your dissertation, say, "I hypothesized that…" When describing your future research projects, say, "I intend to…" or "My aim is to research…"
- Use single spacing and 11- or 12-point font. Since your research statement is fairly short, there's no need to double-space the text. If your statement is physically difficult to read because of a very small font, the reviewer may develop negative feelings towards it and thus towards your entire application. [16]
- At the same time, don't make your font too big. If you write your research statement in a font larger than 12, you run the risk of appearing unprofessional.
- Use section headings to organize your statement. Use descriptive headings like "Current Research," "Future Research Projects," and so on that delineate the different sections you used to structure your research statement. If any of your sections are particularly long, consider using subheadings within these sections to make your statement even more organized.[17]
- For instance, if you completed a postdoc, use subheadings in the section on previous research experience to delineate the research you did in graduate school and the research you did during your fellowship.
- Proofread your research statement thoroughly before submitting it. Even if your research sounds very impressive, a spelling error or grammatical mistake on your research statement can seriously undercut your application. Have a friend read over your statement for you to make sure you haven't overlooked any simple mistakes.[18]
[Edit]References |
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