TARRAGON & THYME

The following is not a specific advert for a specific company but are purely my own subjective views.  Kilner jars are some of my favourite preserving jars to use and I get updates from the Kilner website link here: http://www.kilnerjar.co.uk/ However I had not appreciated that they had a site on Facebook as well - which is a little different and highlights other things to do with and different recipes.  Lots of them and some lovely ideas for Christmas presents too like Candy Cane Vodka and mulled cider syrup.  You do have to scroll down the list but there is lots to look at.  Despite a later start than I would have liked I am eager to get as much done as I can on the food front and there are lots of ideas here. link here https://www.facebook.com/Kilner.UK/ Whilst nosying around the other day I also spotted a Rhubarb cordial recipe which I certainly am going to have a play with.  I love Rhubarb. http://blog.kilnerjar.co.uk/post/1190193374...

I am not sure what is going on at the moment with blogger and bloglovin but I am popping posts up and they do not appear to be manifesting on the feeds until quite some little while later on.  Take this morning for instance I popped up a post up about it being Mum's birthday.  Is it in my feed is it heck.  So really just to let you know that I am posting but there might be a delayed reaction from blogger or bloglovin.  Knowing my luck they have probably interfered with the settings again. Is anyone else experiencing any issues? Catch you later. Pattypan x

I have some pears so this is going to be made as well. This recipe is taken from Notes from the Jam Cupboard by Mary Tregellas.  This is a lovely little book and it has a lot of lovely recipes. I have been salivating over this particular one for months.   Not only is there the recipe for the jam there is a recipe for a Speedy Pear and Chocolate Tart, but I think this would be wonderful with pancakes and ice cream or waffles and might be lovely with meringue piped all over it as a decadent meringue pie. Ingredients: 2kg/2lb 4oz ripe pears Juice of 2 Lemons 800g/1lb 12 oz granulated sugar A pinch of ground cinnamon 150g/5 1/2 oz good quality dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids) Makes approximately 6 -7 x 227g (8oz) jars Peel core and dice the pears and roughly chop the chocolate. Put the pears with the lemon juice into a preserving pan with a splash of water and cook gently for 4 to 5 minutes stirring from time to time. Add the suga...

Happy birthday Mum today would have been your 81st birthday and it is our first birthday without you.  We miss you loads but know that you are looking out for us both. Love always x

....is all bottled and water-bath processed so that I have plenty to use through the year not only for drinking but making sorbet and home made ice cream and for adding in gooseberry tarts, pies and a little in whipped cream to add to a Victoria sponge with some homemade gooseberry jam - lush.  When you make your own preserves that is one of the perks playing around and finding different uses for the preserves you have prepared. Its also very satisfying seeing all the lovely things prepared on the pantry shelf.  Especially in the run up to Christmas and my stockpile. Next on the hit list is pineapple.  I am contemplating (no not my navel) but making some pineapple jam and also pineapple jelly. Might start the jam tomorrow evening - I can leave it running in the jam pan whilst I get on with something else.  I also have a few oranges to play with and so am going to soak them in the pectolase to see what happens.  If it works and I am happy with it, i...

Its a bit brighter here this morning although it has done nothing but rain rain rain.  There was a gathering of Magpies and Pigeons on the fence first thing all scuffling for drying out space on the top of the fence taking an opportunity of drying out their feathers.  I do not think that they are too impressed at the moment. I am glad that I went to bed early last night it has helped with the pain control and I think I have caught up on my sleep. I feel better for listening to my body.  Well I did do an awful lot of walking again yesterday. The strawberry jam has come up well and I have five jars (I managed to knock one over and break it).  The Elderflower cordial gets bottled tonight in my  pasteuriser. I need to liberate my bottles from the store cupboard later on and then start the process. I pasteurise or heat process to prolong the life of the cordial.  It is just basically heating up and taking out the air from the bottles.  It is the ai...

I have been very uncomfortable throughout the day because it has rained so hard and my joints are all inflamed again so I am a bit like the tin man out of Wizard of Oz except the oil can is not working. The best thing to do when I am like this is to have some paracetamol and just go and rest - I will be better for it. Hopefully normal service will be resumed tomorrow. Take care Pattypan x