I have a love-hate relationship with the birds in my garden and have written previously about feeding the birds and stopping the birds from eating all the plums. This year I have been fighting a losing battle between the birds and my berries, particularly my blueberries. There must be something special about blueberries or maybe it is that blackbirds really like a challenge. I'm tending towards the challenge explanation and have evidence that they keep learning new tricks to get to the netted … [Read more...]
Strawberry & Fig Jam Recipe
I love new twists on my 'old favourite' recipes for preserving fruits and vegetables, and Strawberry & Fig Jam is now firmly on my list of new favourites. My strawberries are producing copiously this year and, now that I've figured out where the birds were getting in, I'm harvesting a good supply. Any that are surplus to requirements at the time, I just hull them and freeze them whole (see also Freezing Fruit). Also in my freezer were some figs that really needed to be used before the … [Read more...]
Four Berry Jam Recipe
I grow as many different berries as I can in my garden because they are so easy to grow, freeze really well, and are great for cooking right throughout the year. Sometimes I end up with only a small amount of each of the different types of berries left in the freezer, not enough to make anything specific with any of them. This year I tried making a Four Berry Jam recipe with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. The amount of each doesn't really matter and the end result is … [Read more...]
Healthy Banana Icecream Recipe
I couldn't believe that a delicious recipe for icecream could be this simple. Even more amazing is that whipped up frozen bananas do actually have the consistency of traditional icecream. And it is healthy! Slice bananas and freeze until solid. Place frozen bananas in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy (thawing the bananas for 5 minutes first makes it easier to blitz). Eat immediately or refreeze if desired to use later. If using later, remove from freezer a few minutes … [Read more...]
Strawberry & Feta Salad
A glorious salad with strawberries, feta, cashews, cucumber and greens, drizzled with avocado oil. Suitably festive-looking that you could serve it on Christmas Day. Lettuce, spinach or any combination of salad greens you like Strawberries (preferably fresh from the garden) Feta (preferably home-made) Cucumber (preferably fresh from the garden) Cashews Avocado or Olive Oil Spread salad greens in a dish. Top with strawberries, feta, cucumber and cashews. Drizzle with … [Read more...]
Strawberry Jam with Grand Marnier
Strawberry jam is perfect with scones and cream. This recipe has a bit of a citrus twist with lemon juice and Grand Marnier that makes it even better. 2kg strawberries (can use frozen) Juice of 2 lemons 125g Grand Marnier 2kg sugar Place strawberries in a bowl and marinade in 75ml Grand Marnier, lemon juice and sugar for about 2 hours, stir regularly. Transfer strawberries & juice to a pan and simmer over a low heat until fruit is soft. Bring to the boil and boil for … [Read more...]
Spiced Strawberry Syrup
Strawberries and citrus is a flavour match made in heaven. Add some spices and you have this absolutely delectable syrup that will definitely have you coming back for more. It also makes a perfect gift if you can bear to share some. 500g chopped strawberries (frozen is fine) a large knob of grated ginger zest and juice of 2 lemons and 1 orange 1 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt 1 cup caster sugar 1 tbsp cardamom seeds Cinnamon stick Star anise To the bowl of a … [Read more...]
Home-made Strawberry Gelato
When you are fortunate enough to have fresh (or frozen) strawberries from the garden, making a strawberry gelato helps extend the summer and makes you think of travelling to Italy... 2 cups milk 1 cup cream 4 egg yolks 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and pureed (frozen and defrosted works) 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp lemon zest Combine milk and cream in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer, stirring constantly, for about 4-5 … [Read more...]
Strawberry Champagne Cider Punch
In earlier posts I have talked about home brew cider making and some different flavour ciders. More recently I have made the Pear & Strawberry Cider. It is a really fruity and refreshing summer drink and not at all sweet (I left out the optional sweetener). As well as being delicious on its own, it also makes a wonderful punch base. You can make a punch with bubbles and lots of berries for festive occasions or replace it with soda water and use just strawberries for a refreshing … [Read more...]
Delicious & Versatile Strawberries
Summer wouldn't be summer without strawberries. This year I planted lots more strawberry plants so that I could have more than just a handful each day to put on my muesli or in my breakfast smoothie. This meant that I could pick them by the punnet-full or more and use them for desserts and in drinks as well. You can of course just rinse and hull the strawberries and eat them fresh on their own, sprinkled with a bit of icing sugar or with yoghurt or icecream. Macerating enhances the … [Read more...]