The apricot hunt today went extremely well. Excellent quality and lovely friendly people at Lowdina Orchards (both staff and other customers alike). It was great to talk with other jam makers and preservers. I bought 40kg for us (including 5kg jam quality, 35 kilos second grade for bottling), as well as 5kg for a neighbour … Continue reading Apricot Hunt 2023

Yesterday friends Michael and Roberto (owners of Explorers Lodge B&B) were able to purchase 17kg+ of Moor Park apricots from the local market. They brought them here to preserve - such an advantage having a big kitchen adjacent to our house, almost like colonial times! A happy couple of hours was spent preserving them together … Continue reading Let the Apricot Games 2023 begin!!

Cherry Plum Latticed Shortcake (Crostada) For the pastry 125g butter 125g sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten 125g self raising flour 125g plain flour Whisk butter and sugar together, add egg and mix well. Add the combined flours and mix with a metal spoon to make a soft dough. Wrap in cling wrap and place in … Continue reading Cherry Plum Crostada – recipe

And so to the last of the cherry plums..... Once the preserves were done, a goodly number were stewed and thickened. They needed a little sugar, to bring them back from super sour just to the cusp of a delightful plummy sherbert. Paired with sweet shortcrust pastry, this crostada is one of the ultimate baked … Continue reading Cherry plum baking and ice cream

For those who requested the recipe for cherry plum cordial syrup, here it is: CHERRY PLUM CORDIAL SYRUP 3kg cherry plums, washed and drained3 litres waterSugar2 teaspoons citric acid½ cup white or cider vinegar Place the cherry plums and water in a jam pan or large pot. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and … Continue reading Cherry Plum Cordial Syrup – recipe

A hugely wonderful gift - cherry plums from a friend's garden. My favourite preserves to make with these are cordial syrup, cherry plum sweet chilli sauce and jam. I don't bottle them (aka waterbath) as even with a heavy sugar syrup the skins remain bitter, (even after 2 years in the jar). So today I've … Continue reading Cherry Plums – includes recipe for cherry plum sweet chilli sauce

Bits and pieces came together in a cake to share with family and friends. I had a cupful or two of leftover ganache, 250g cream cheese that needed using before next week, ample limes from the tree and raspberries from the garden. Oh yes, and a bowl of whipped cream (probably a cup and a … Continue reading Bits and pieces = CAKE!

Almost time for apricot bottling again - hooray!! Therefore it's time to use up the last of the 2022 preserves. Pictured are three jars of stewed apricots I've had sitting on the bench for a while - in the light, so they have begun to darken, especially on the top. They are still fine to … Continue reading Apricots – old and new to come

I made this today for the Custard Club for morning tea. Not happy Nan (me). It didn't look at all like I'd planned. It consisted of a chocolate sponge flan layer, filled with rich chocolate custard, then small dollops of poached rhubarb (to add a little acidity), then was finished with a layer of whipped … Continue reading Chocolate Custard and Raspberry Flan

Gotta love Tassie weather. 32 degrees here the day before yesterday - at the same time the next day, a mere 12 degrees. That suited me just fine, I vastly prefer the cooler option. Besides, It gave me good enough reason to light the fire (Gourmet Cooker) to warm the house and cook our dinner. … Continue reading A Taste of Winter in Summer