TARRAGON & THYME

This is a bit long winded for which I apologise and there is another part to come but really you need to read the long winded version first and then I will give you an idiots guide right at the end. BOTTLING A little information to read for background information An Explanation An English term for preserving usually fruits in a syrup or tomatoes in brine where the fruits are placed into bottle and then a syrup added usually the neck of the bottle.   It’s a traditional way of putting up food in the pantry in times of plenty for use during the winter months.   The fruit is heated in special jars and bottles to sterilise it by killing off any nasty spoilage micro-organisms present in the fruit which in turn forms an airtight seal whilst the jars are hot.   It also stops any other nasties getting into the processed bottles.   It is important that the process is followed correctly – it might seem a bit faddy to start with but with time and practice you will be...

I love all the seasons they all have something wonderful to bring to us especially autumn usually with her glorious displays of colourful leaves and beautiful sunsets and we start to harvest for the winter months and pop stuff up on the pantry shelves.  A hive of industry but  a different season none the less.  Mornings when the mist re-appears and you end up getting some beautiful sights of mist swirling inbetween trees making it look ethereal an creepy.  As the poem profoundly says seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness.  And a time to find  mushrooms in the wild if it has been moist and damp enough. I was therefore slightly shocked to walk into the Co-op this evening to find that on 31 August they have put the Christmas sweets out or at least the sweet tubs of the well known brands out.  Oh well commercialism rules again.  And no  - I have not bought any yet give it another week or two at least.  The long stop dates were F...

Weather wise and I have been cooped in an office with air conditioning and have been frozen.  Its a good job I had my cardie with me.  Different story when I came out for dinner boiling hot did not need the cardie and enjoyed the sunshine.  Met a couple of friends had a good catch up really pleasant time. This afternoon I have struggled to stay awake.  This evening instead of coming home OH took me out to where he now fishes.  Charming little lake.  Very peaceful and quiet with lots of wildlife.  We bought some fish and chips and then went and had supper at the lake.  I found some sloes so hopefully will have sloe gin later in the year and then sloe chocolates.  yummy.  Also found another crab apple tree - am marking spots so that I can return.  Now very tired and struggling to stay awake so I think it is going to be an early night to catch up on some shuteye.  the most glorious of sunsets this evening on the way home....

Well the blackberry and apple jam has turned out alright despite me using eating apples.  I prefer Bramleys or crab apples with this recipe as it gives it a spikier sharper flavour but for a free pick of blackberries and using up some eating apples on a thrifty perspective it has not come up too badly.  The only thing with eating apples is that they really hold their shape where Bramleys go soft, so I just had to cut the apples up into tiny bits. But it is a wonderful colour and I have five jars out of this just for a little time and effort and being thrifty.  The jam will be lovely on scones with fresh cream.  Yum.  I am hoping to get more though as a great favourite in this house is bramble jelly. I also got five jars of Victoria plum jam as well.  I made a last minute batch yesterday before going to bed so quite a bit of jam made yesterday. This evening I have another batch of Victoria Plum jam to make and I also have Victoria plu...

Its that time again when thoughts turn towards popping up stuff in my case a very large red plastic box with a lid on it that is stored under my stairs in the house as it is not easy to get in and out of.  I popped round to get an ice cream earlier on as I was a little hot after being in the kitchen.  I was checking the shelves out whilst I was in there and I noticed that a lot of the stock already on the shelves has a long stop date of March 2017.  This particular shelf was biscuits, cream crackers etc.  Some of the items were on offer.  I bought a couple of boxes of some cream crackers and one or two other bits to start off my Christmas food box.  Basically where I can afford it I pop a few bits up on a regular often weekly basis where I can - its not always possible but buying a bit here and there in advance actually helps the budget and means come the beginning of December money will be available to buy those presents as part of the food is alread...

All done and dusted; 5 large jars Bottled cherry tomatoes 7 large jars Bottled whole medium sized tomatoes Outlay 5 x nets cherry tomatoes and 4 pots of tomatoes from the greengrocers total £9.00 6 jars mixed summer fruit in syrup 10 jars of mixed berry jam total outlay =£19.00 including sugar and fruit.  The jars of mixed fruit if you bought them in the shop and not the size I made them would probably cost you anywhere of £4.00 apiece or more so that six jars at £4.00 each = £24 just for the six jars. Will look lovely over ice cream like a sauce or drained and on top of a cheesecake or panacotta or even mixed with some fresh apple and made into a sponge pudding or drained and added to a home made chocolate or vanilla sponge with fresh whipped cream to create your own "gateau" or in a Swiss roll. There is so much potential there.   And do not forget the strained juice you can add some lemonade or soda to it and use it as a cordial. ...

The first pick there are not many blackberries this year where we walk Missy I am hopeful that OH will take me out next Sunday to an older stomping ground but which is not so easy for me to access unless he takes me and as he is fishing again at the weekend... Nevertheless today I have managed to pick about 1lb.  I have some eating apples and so I thought I would make apple and blackberry jam.  The berries themselves are real wildings very tiny but we have not had the rain just recently on a regular basis so I think the berries and the elderberries have been badly hit.  Not many berries in the bushes at all with either. Had a lovely walk in the sunshine down by the river.  I went armed with a couple of freezer bags in my pocket especially for the berries and my hands are now stained purple.  Well its a little bit of something extra for the pantry shelf and will be well used with pastry and cakes alike.  hopefully I will be able to source some more...