Elderberries are in abundance at this time of year. We have been picking them from the hedgerows and have so far made elderberry jam and cordial.
To make the jam, all you need is a pound of berries and nearly a pound of brown sugar. Boil them up with a little lemon juice for 20 mins or so. You can add pectin if you want to make a thick jam, but we like it runny.
To make the cordial boil up a pound of elderberries with 200 grammes, or just under half a poud of sugar add boiling water to taste as it is cooking. Strain, bottle, cool, then chill in the fridge.
They are well known as an anti viral, so great for the flu season. What are you waiting for? Enjoy!
Check out this site for more info on how to pick and more recipes.here
Saturday 26 September 2009
Saturday 19 September 2009
My top time saving tips
1) Don't iron what you don't have to. I find that a lot of things don't need ironing, by hanging straight, the creases drop out naturally. Also, if you can line dry, you will get less creases.
2) Only sort your washing into 2 different sorts, whites and coloureds. Makes life a lot simpler and I haven't had any runs doing this, only when I accidentally put in red with my whites. Many modern washing machines have a mixed fibre wash anyway, and I always do this at 30 degrees.
3) Always plan your meals out a week in advance before you write a shopping list. This saves time, money and you can write a list of what you need when you go shopping.
4) When cooking, especially for a large brood, keep it simple. I like to always cook simple but healthy things. I see it unnecessary to spend hours in the kitchen, when there are so many other things to be done.
5) Use a breadmaker. I have 2. It mixes the dough for my currant buns, while I go and have a cup of tea. Also, I can have 2 cakes baking in them while I am out and come back to freshly baked cakes. I can't burn them and don't have to watch them as it is timed. Using a breadmaker also enables you to have fresh bread ready for the morning. You can't beat that smell, Mmmm!
2) Only sort your washing into 2 different sorts, whites and coloureds. Makes life a lot simpler and I haven't had any runs doing this, only when I accidentally put in red with my whites. Many modern washing machines have a mixed fibre wash anyway, and I always do this at 30 degrees.
3) Always plan your meals out a week in advance before you write a shopping list. This saves time, money and you can write a list of what you need when you go shopping.
4) When cooking, especially for a large brood, keep it simple. I like to always cook simple but healthy things. I see it unnecessary to spend hours in the kitchen, when there are so many other things to be done.
5) Use a breadmaker. I have 2. It mixes the dough for my currant buns, while I go and have a cup of tea. Also, I can have 2 cakes baking in them while I am out and come back to freshly baked cakes. I can't burn them and don't have to watch them as it is timed. Using a breadmaker also enables you to have fresh bread ready for the morning. You can't beat that smell, Mmmm!
Apple picking
Now is the season for apples, pears, and plums. Above is a pic of me checking the apples that I have picked. The ones shown are a variety of eating apple. We have been picking a lot of different varieties, all growing in the wild. We eat the eaters and cook up the cooking apples. What I do, is blanche a whole load in a saucepan and cool and store in tubs in the freezer. That way, when I want to make pies, or sponges it is already done.
Here is a recipe we like for apple sponge-
1)Chop the apples and put them in a dish which is oven safe.
2) Cream 4 ounces of margarine with 3 ounces of sugar.
3) Add one beaten egg.
4) Fold in 4 ounces of selfraisng flour. I use wholemeal.
5) Spoon over your apples and cook at medium heat for about 40 mins, or until a fork comes out clean.
This recipe will serve 4-6. We double it for our family and cook in 2 seperate bowls.
Here is a recipe we like for apple sponge-
1)Chop the apples and put them in a dish which is oven safe.
2) Cream 4 ounces of margarine with 3 ounces of sugar.
3) Add one beaten egg.
4) Fold in 4 ounces of selfraisng flour. I use wholemeal.
5) Spoon over your apples and cook at medium heat for about 40 mins, or until a fork comes out clean.
This recipe will serve 4-6. We double it for our family and cook in 2 seperate bowls.
Sunday 6 September 2009
Fire!
Just over a week ago the children were able to film a fire which had broken out at a plastics factory. It is the biggest fire Lincolnshire firefighters have had to deal with. At one point there were 100 firemen at the scene. Plumes of toxic black smoke were emitted into the air, but fortunately most of it avoided the people living nearby.
A beautiful rainbow!
It was a couple of days before it finally went out. The cost is expected to run into millions of pounds. A real blow to the area, considering we are in times of recession. Work is expected to start as soon as possible to rebuild the factory as soon as the cause is established. It is thought the fire started in the fan room.
My husband filmed this video and put it on youtube:
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