TARRAGON & THYME

I  am always on the look out for bits and bobs to add to my Pantry store. I on one hand like a store of stuff to go to when I need it rather than running off to the shop every few minutes.  I also like different things to other people, and so my Pantry is very much geared to what my family and I like. Some weeks it can be quite a few things that will be tucked away and another not so much depending on how many pennies are available for extras or what bargains come my way. Sometimes it is really interesting bits and bobs and others it is humdrum basic stuff which indeed plays its part. This is something that I have always done.  I do not consider myself a prepper, just realise from life experience that a good pantry stands you in good stead and future proofs you to any disasters or situations concerning you and yours.  Not that I would wish that on anyone. My Nan and my Mum both did the same.  Basically your Pantry will give you food security.  So only if yo...

  Blackberry and Apple Jelly for the Pantry Shelf.  A lot of work involved but so worth it at the end of the day, and of course you are making the most of that which becomes available to you. Very simple to make.  I follow for the best part traditional recipes that have been handed down.  I gathered 1 - 1/2 kilos of Blackberries, checking them over for stalks and bits of leaf.  I then added them to a deep heavy based pan. To them I added 1/2 a kilo of wilding apples I located on the floor.  These were cored  I left the peel on and then chopped into small pieces. I then added enough cold water to bring it level with the fruit and then set too and gently simmered this for about 20 to 25 minutes until all the fruit is soft. If too much foam erupts as you simmer the fruit, add a good knob of butter to the top, and the butter will disperse the foam.  I do tend to do this as the scum (which consists of little bits of impurities can often spoil the appea...

I have finally processed the Blackberry and Apple jelly.  I have managed to add six jars of Bramble Jelly (or Bramble Delly according to my s daughter) to the Pantry shelf which I am very pleased with. Six precious jars of preserve.  It has set very nicely as well which I am pleased about and a good clear vibrant colour.  I do like making jellies. When we walked the dog today, (and despite the fact that I had intended to leave it a couple of days) before I went and collected more blackberries, I took my trusty colander with me (Mum's old one) to see if I could locate any more ready Blackberries which I managed to do. I managed to pick another 1 1/2lbs of berries today. I have some pulp left over from the jelly and I wish to make use of it.  The intention behind this is I have a couple of recipes that I wish to try out in readiness for the pantry shelf.  I want to try them out first, before giving details as I have never made this version of it before.  Have...

The blackberries are starting to come out near where I live, so this evening when OH walked the dog, I went out with him to snaffle what I can of this most precious of berries as it makes so many wonderful things.  I want to bottle some again this year, make some Blackberry cordial, Blackberry syrup, Bramble and Apple Jelly all of which are very useful additions to the pantry shelf.  Lots of ideas and going to try and concentrate on one thing at a time. This first picking excursion has ended up with 1.25 kilo of Blackberries which I intend to make into Bramble and Apple jelly.  We picked up a few wilding apples which were on the floor and they will not be good for eating but good for putting a bit of pectin into the bramble mixture. It is a shame really as the skins were perfect on them.  Mind you my Nan always maintained that it was the fallers that were the best apples as they were nearer the sky.  She always used the fallers. All I do is chop them up and put ...

Before leaving for holiday, I managed to buy in a load of Rhubarb which I subsequently bottled in syrup for some puddings in the winter months.  I made too much syrup, and rather than waste it I decided to bottle it up, so that we could use it in fruit salads, or indeed as a spritzer, or just "squash". I subscribe to the "Waste Not, Want Not" mentality, and if there is any way I can use stuff up I will do.  If you bottle your our own goods,  i.e. fruits in syrup, you can always use the juices that are left over mixed with some Gin or Vodka, white wine, water, fizzy water.  Rather than waste it.  It has so much flavour and is the freebie or perk of going to the trouble of "bottling" (the English term) or Water Bath Canning (the American term and sometimes also erroneously referred to solely as "Canning).  "Canning to me, is when food is cooked under pressure in a pressure canner (not cooker) and these for the best part tend to be low acid foods su...

Hello again. Nothing for  months and then within the space of a few days a bit of a deluge.  Just to let you know, I not only have this Blog, but I am also on Instagram  @  https://www.instagram.com/tarragonnthyme/   As it is simpler for me when I am during the course of my day pop up items which I think will be of interest although albeit short.  This also shows up on Facebook too. Now I am back from my sojourn in Cornwall, I am starting to get a little bit more organised in doing things and I have decided that I am  going to take part in this challenge this year. which is hosted by Jessica at Three Rivers Homestead who has a presence both on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/threerivershomestead/   and You Tube.   Please have a look at this link on You Tube where Jessica explains more about what is going on in her life and also about the every bit counts challenge.  There is a direct link to the challenge. If you have acce...

We have been on holiday for quite a few weeks (13 I think in total and we have now landed back in Peterborough. Unfortunately, I could not gain access to my blog whilst being away. We did not have the computer with us, and I do not have access to the blog on my phone for the simple reason I tend to overshoot on the funding, so tend to do everything from the computer in any event. Please note this post is slightly photo heavy. It has been a lovely time away, and in all reality, I did not want to come back, as where we have been staying has been so peaceful I could just live down here.  Fingers crossed that one day I will.  That would totally be a dream come true for me. We were restricted on space, being as we bought Pussycat Towers down with us in the car and built it up on the site, and so I was not able to bring with me my sewing machine as planned to do some patchwork and sewing as well as various other items that I had planned on brining.  Perhaps next time we will se...