As it seems that some (lucky) people still have apricots to make jam (like the gentleman who rang in this morning, here is the recipe for jam and some tips and tricks to get the best results. (I've also had some requests for the recipe since this morning) APRICOT JAM Makes 1.8kg, approximately 1.5kg apricots … Continue reading Apricot Jam recipe – more from this morning’s talkback

From the ABC talkback this morning, this is my Nan's recipe for Apricot Chutney. It's a real family favourite. Peaches or nectarines can be used instead of the apricots. APRICOT CHUTNEY 1.5 kg apricots (weight with stones removed) chopped 500g onions, peeled and chopped 500ml white or cider vinegar 750g sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 … Continue reading Apricot chutney – recipe from this morning’s ABC Jams and Preserves Talkback segment

Wednesday morning tea platter. Banana muffins filled with a swirl of rich egg custard. (They do so like custard.) I wanted to add a swirl of cream too, but although the bottle in the fridge was before its use by date, it smelled a little suspect. (Cilla our pig will enjoy it at least). Not … Continue reading A Platter for Friends – Banana Custard Muffins

I had a lovely chat this morning with Steven White (ABC Illawarra) – we talked about my new book (The Comfort Bake), which is about to be released. There was an extra interesting turn to the conversation.  You see Steven told me yesterday that he had asked listeners which pudding they thought would be good … Continue reading “Dead Man’s Leg”

Not really the weather for pasties I suppose, but made these nevertheless last night. The pastry was an issue- tried to thaw a piece in the microwave, didn't work too well! Oops! So I decided to make a quick shortcrust instead as we had a visitor coming for dinner. I almost ran around the garden … Continue reading Pasties

I've had quite a few request for this Apricot and Raspberry Slice so here it is. APRICOT AND RASPBERRY SLICE Ingredients For the cake batter: 3 eggs 1½ cups sugar Finely grated rind of one large lemon 1¼ cups milk or water Juice 1 large lemon 3 cups self raising flour 125ml vegetable oil or … Continue reading RECIPE – Apricot and Raspberry Slice

For the Wednesday morning tea platter yesterday, a rustic (i.e. done in a hurry) apricot and raspberry slice. Here, fresh from the oven, it's about to get its brushing with melted butter and sprinkling of sugar and cinnamon. The apricots were preserved halves, though of course you could use fresh or tinned, and the raspberries … Continue reading Apricot and Raspberry Slice – fruits of the season captured in a slice

There was much preserving to be done after an apricot hunt through the Coal River Valley on Thursday. Our first stop yielded 30 kilos of Moor Park variety, my personal favourite. However, we moved on seeking more, and at another orchard we found two varieties I'd not tried before - Avarine and Golden Sweet. How … Continue reading Apricot hunting

Three recipes were requested by people this morning - cherry plum chilli sauce, Asian-style plum sauce and Jostaberry cordial. With the cordial syrup, I have also included instructions that apply to berries of all sorts and also blackcurrants. Cherry Plum Sweet Chilli Sauce Ingredients 500g cherry plums, weight with stones removed, chopped 220g long red … Continue reading ABC Jams and preserves talkback to day – recipes

Today's bounty - this time a gift from another friend - lots of lovely ripe loquats. I just tasted one - what an under-rated fruit they are!! Now, how to best preserve them - make some jam and then bottle the rest. At the end of the day, here below are the loquats preserved so … Continue reading Loquats!!