I decided to make some mint & apple jelly this spring while I had lots of healthy-looking mint. I often look forward to using mint in summer only to discover that it has succumbed to rust. Cutting it right back solves the problem for a while as the new growth is rust-free but coinciding sufficient clean mint with my cooking requirements can be somewhat of a challenge. 1kg cooking apples Water Sugar Zest and juice of 1 lemon 1/2 cup firmly packed mint leaves, finely chopped (retain … [Read more...]
Whisky Orange Marmalade Recipe
If you make this recipe using Seville Oranges it will be the traditional bitter orange marmalade. I had lots of navel oranges on my tree and decided to try a couple of different variations to this recipe: one based on Whisky Seville Marmalade and another based on Mandarin Marnier Marmalade. I made the basic recipe and split it in half at the end, adding whisky to one half and cointreau to the other - you can make it all with one or the other or try another flavour altogether. 1kg Oranges 2 … [Read more...]
Cointreau Orange Marmalade Recipe
If you make this recipe using Seville Oranges it will be the traditional bitter orange marmalade. I had lots of navel oranges on my tree and decided to try a couple of different variations to this recipe: one based on Whisky Seville Marmalade and another based on Mandarin Marnier Marmalade. I made the basic recipe and split it in half at the end, adding whisky to one half and Cointreau to the other - you can make it all with one or the other or try another flavour altogether. 1kg Oranges 2 … [Read more...]
Preserved Figs In Syrup
Preserved figs in syrup is a wonderful way to enjoy your bounty throughout the year. Figs have such a short season and you have to fight the birds (and sometimes possums) to harvest your crop, so it is great to savour the harvest. This recipe is a quick and simple way to preserve them for later enjoyment - if you can wait that long. I pick my figs as soon as they start to soften and they continue to ripen inside. Then I put them whole into the freezer, gradually filling the bag until I have … [Read more...]
Can you freeze Persimmons?
I discover that the answer to 'can you freeze persimmons?' is 'Yes' and share the Persimmon Clafoutis recipe that I made with them. I had a good crop of persimmons on my tree last year but with unfortunate timing I was heading off on my trip to China just as they were ripening. I shared bags of them with my neighbours but suddenly thought 'I wonder whether you can freeze persimmons?' You can freeze many fruit whole, so on the day I left I put some whole in a bag in the freezer. Then I had … [Read more...]
Easy Tomato Puree Recipe
In this post I share my mother's fabulous tip for how to make a really easy tomato puree, and lots of ideas for using all those tomatoes from your garden. At peak tomato season you often get to a point when you've just got too many tomatoes to keep up with the preserving. You can freeze tomatoes whole - just put them whole into freezer bags (see Freezing Vegetables). This is very quick and easy, but if you have lots of tomatoes then there may not be enough room in the freezer for them … [Read more...]
Cinnamon Blueberry Jam Recipe
Blueberries are wonderful plants to have in the garden or just in a pot; they are incredibly healthy and nutritious - and they are wonderful in this Cinnamon Blueberry Jam Recipe. For other blueberry recipes, see the links at the bottom of this post. 1 kg blueberries (I used frozen) 2 tbsp lemon juice 4 cinnamon quills 1kg jam setting sugar (or use ordinary sugar and add 1 pkt pectin) I really like cinnamon so I added another 2 tsp cinnamon as well. You could add a tsp of cloves or a … [Read more...]
Blueberry, Blackberry & Grape Jam Recipe
I love combination jams because they are a great way to use fruit that you have (either fresh or frozen) but don't have enough of anything to make a single fruit jam. They also provide a wonderful range of flavours. This jam recipe is courtesy of Chelsea sugar who make a great Jam Setting Sugar that allows you to make a quick and simple jam. You can also easily scale the recipe up or down because you just use equal quantities of fruit and sugar. Juice and peel of 1 lemon, large pieces … [Read more...]
Chinese Plum Sauce Recipe
Plum sauce is something I like to make every year and I get lots of good feedback from those I give it to. But I decided to risk trying a different plum sauce recipe this year as I had found one that had the Asian flavours of ginger and star anise in it. I used frozen plums (see freezing fruit). 2.5kg plums, stone removed 2 cups chopped onion 1/2 cup raisins 1.5 litres cider or white vinegar 1 kg brown sugar 1/2 cup soy sauce 6 tbsp freshly grated ginger 4 garlic cloves, crushed 2 … [Read more...]
Orange Plum Jam Recipe
Whenever I have a bumper crop of plums, I freeze them for making jams and sauces later in the year. I decided to try some different recipes rather than just using my tried and tested ones. I know that citrus really brings out the flavour of berries so I thought "why not plums as well". 1 kg Plums, stones removed (I used frozen) Zest of 2 Oranges 1 kg Jam-setting Sugar 1 knob butter (10g) 50 ml Orange-flavoured liqueur (optional) Finely chop plums - use a food processor if you want. I … [Read more...]