The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Food & crafts => Recipes => Topic started by: Sunnybank on December 26, 2011, 12:44:50 pm
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Hi everyone, I am hoping to start making jam, marmalade and chutneys in the new year. Can anyone recommend a good book of recipes. i have got some great ideas from this site, plus a few of my late mums recipes which i am starting with.
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Go with your Mum's or others old recipes for chutneys. I guess that they are tried and tested and may be more authentic to the time when the UK had people returning from India with the tastes for chutney.
We made about 4 different types this year and have just had a thick plum base dark spicy chutney with cheese.
Courgette pickle !!!!!! for the VERY BEST pickle we and visitors have ever had.
Courgettes !! Yep grow about 8 plants ( assuming that you do not have to use metered water on them) so that you have to pick every day and still have enough "missed" marrows to feed to the animals. Collect medium to large fruits then simply slice the courgettes and some onion on a mandolin - salt or soak in brine for 1 hour - wash - leave in the sun to dry ( or if you live in Scotland dry with a T towel) - then bottle with cider vinegar,sugar,mustard powder, crushed yellow and brown mustard seeds and some turmeric.
I have the full recipe if you need it . All the family love it and everyone is prepared to walk 100 yards to the store if we serve lunch and have run out. Odd as my kids would go without ketchup rather than walk to the fridge to get a bottle!
:wave:
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I use a lot from old war time/ mothers union type books. They are simple and easy to find goods as times were frugal back then, they also contain a lot of recipies that you no longer find. The River Cottage book is also a must.
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hi, thanks for your quick replies and suggestions, going to have a look round some of the book shops and charity shops next week.
Yes please Mak, would love the recipe for courgette pickle as i love them and grew my first courgettes this year so going to do more next year
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Sonia Allisons Book of Preserving is fabulous! There are chapters on bottling, chutneys, drying, freezing, fruit cheeses,butters and curds, fruit syrups, jam, jelly, marm, mincemeat, pickling, salting and sauces. Part II of the book is an A to Z of fruits and veg and advises which method would be most suitable and also gives simple no fuss recipes.
Unfortunately it is out of print now but I have found a couple of copies on Amazon, that I have given to friends. Worth looking on other used book websites.
Will be using it shortly again for Seville Marmalade!
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I have Sonia Allisons book of preserves and agree its very good. It's my bible when I am making chutneys or jam. Last year I made orange and rhubarb chutney from it which was very good, but my main standby is plum and apple chutney which has just the right amount of sweetness.
I found a River Cottage book in a charity shop recently so carry on looking.
Sally
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Just checked Amazon, there are copies available 1p plus £2.80 p&p! well worth it.
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thanks for that info, just ordered it on amazon for 1p plus postage, what a good start to the New Year :)
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I hope you have lots of jars ready. Seville oranges are in the shops so you could start with marmalade. :)
Sally
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The best book I have for preserves is Oded Schwartz Book of Preserving. It makes your mouth water just looking through it. I think it is out of print now and I got mine at a car boot sale for £1 but think you would have to pay a fair bit for one from Amazon or similar but would be worth it.
Mine is so well loved that I have actually had to mention it in my will, leaving it to my elder daughter!!
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thanks Sylvia, will keep a look out. Had an email confirming book Sonia Allisons book has been posted. family are collecting jars and i am shopping next week for seville oranges :)
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Anyone need jars in my a.rea S. Devon. I have loads that need to be re-homed
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Just got mine for £1.78 from Amazon....happy days..