No Go
I thought that it was going to be a "No Go" on the Foraging front today as a result of a couple of rain showers. As a result on Instagram I posted a picture of one of my favourite cookery books which I was looking through to see if I fancied anything new to make. In the end OH decided we were going and I was not complaining. Just means that the new recipe to make will happen another day.
Today have gathered 2 1/4 Kilos of Blackberries and I am going to turn these also into pudding/pie mix as well. The Berries are really nice and some of them quite large. The next batch we go for though will probably be turned into Blackberry syrup/Cordial. We will then take it from there as I also plan to do some more Blackberry and Apple jelly and then maybe some fruit leather. Last year I made Blackberry wine and also Blackberry Whisky. I have found a recipe for Blackberry Brandy as well; just depends if I have enough Brandy in the cupboard. Like the idea of it but I normally feed my Christmas cake with Brandy and so I want to make sure that there is plenty there for that purpose. Christmas word already. Fitting in one sense as a lot of my preserves are made to give me a really large choice of ingredients over the Christmas period. Beginning of September the Christmas cake and the Christmas puddings will be made so that they are done and dusted and out of the way with. The cake will keep in a tin and be fed and the puddings keep very well wrapped on the Pantry shelf. You can feed the pudding as well if you want to however I tend to not do this but I do check on the pudding from time to time. I make it in a stoneware bowl and it is well wrapped in foil and kept in my under stairs cupboard.
However, the initial decision did not stop me playing about in the kitchen.
The Chicken stock has now been processed and is cooling down. I have four jars of this. Not many but a start. As I have indicated I usually get a chicken each week and therefore it would be a change to preserve it for the Pantry shelf and I will build the stock little by little.
The Blackberries from yesterday have all been processed and I have five jars for the Pantry shelf. All of the seals have popped and I have taken the rings off, and held them by the seal and no movement. I therefore call that a "win-win" situation. I have since washed the bottles up and labelled them up in readiness for putting away. However will wait on this evening's efforts to finish that all off.
So a few more items for the Pantry/Fridge shelf. It is building little by little.
Tonight we have Gammon steaks, egg and chips for tea with Pineapple if he wants some. The Gammon slices have been soaked in water to remove some of the salt. Some Butchers use a lot more salt than others to preserve the meat so I have gone back to doing this rather than have the meal spoilt by too much salt. All you do is pop your joint or slices into a tray of cold water making sure that everything is covered in water and then changing the water every so often. A bit of faffing but worth the effort.
Right I have a hot date in the kitchen.
Hope everyone has a super evening.
Catch you soon.
Pattypan
x
Lovely! That's a right old haul of brambles. Tracy x
ReplyDeleteI was quite chuffed. Not going brambling today, if get chance may go on a recce exercise to see if they are ready further up the river, but want to give others a chance as well. That is around 8lb in weight so far roughly. Still have Blackberry and Apple jelly, Blackberry Syrup and maybe some more wine to do as well in the days to come. Taking advantage whilst I can. Then will go to the veg shop and bulk buy some cooking apples and do the same with them, so that I can mix the two varieties up. That is the idea anyway. Fingers crossed and the Elderberries are starting to berry up too.
DeleteI, too have started for Christmas, there's 3 boxes upstairs, that I put a food item in each week. One box for my Son and family, one for my Mom and one for us - the boxes soon fill up and every little helps towards that last large shop before Xmas.
ReplyDeleteI've also started making some Xmas gifts too, just hand sewing so far. I'm presently finishing off some embroidery on a book bag for a lady who looks out for my Mom, to say thank you. Again it all helps towards the expense of Christmas - I hope you're feeling better thus week - take care CraftyNan xx
Hello sweetheart, I have for many many years put up stuff from about August right through to December. It is something my Nan and my Mum always used to do, so that it was not such a draw on December money. I usually start with buying the dried fruit in August and the ingredients for the cake or cakes and puddings and then take it from there. Usually getting those baking items that tend to disappear quite rapidly in the run up to Christmas and then are charged a premium on. I had intended to make some pressies but with one thing or another have not been able to settle. I am hoping for a sewing day soon in order that I might put that right a bit. The embroidery you are working sounds lovely. Kindred spirits. I have been out in the garden, hoeing and weeding a border again and starting to tackle another one. Have really enjoyed myself in the peace and quiet. It has been a glorious day. It was too warm for me earlier on. I find gardening calms my sole. I am hoping to get out again first thing, and then again tomorrow evening. Am feeling much better than I was. When I get the fatigue it makes me cross, but it really does knock me for six and I am so used to being on the go. It is just my nature. Even when I am sat down have to be doing something. Have a lovely evening sweetie x
DeleteThank you Tricia, we are definitely kindred spirits, my Nan used to put a box up for Xmas just like your Mom and Nan used to, we follow their ways, dont we, you take care and carry on enjoying your garden xx
ReplyDelete