Instructions: Wash basil and dry in paper towels. Finely chop by hand or in food processor. Immediately put basil into a large saucepan, and use the bottom of a glass to crush leaves. Add water, bring slowly to a boil, and oil for 10 seconds. Remove saucepan from heat, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes.

Pour 1-1/2 cups of liquid from saucepan through a fine strainer into another saucepan. Add vinegar, salt, and sugar, and bring to a hard boil, stirring. When the boil cant be stirred down, add pectin. Return to a hard boil that cant be stirred down and boil for exactly 1 minute; then remove saucepan from heat.

Skim of foam and pour hot jelly into hot, sterilized 8-ounce jelly jars.

Leave 1/2 inch head space and seal at once with sterilized 2-piece lids or melted paraffin.

Makes 4 8-ounce jars

This recipe for delicate, easy-to-make jellies comes from the Shepherds Garden Seeds catalog. The clear jewellike colors of these jellies - rose-pink, deep-garnet, and champagne - are quite beautiful. And the jellies themselves are delicious with cream cheese and crackers or bagels. They make wonderful presents for others - or yourself!

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