How to Make It

With Christmas  just around the corner, I  have a few last minute gift  ideas for seasoned preservers as well as beginners. They can either  be bought in shops in the UK, online or given as invitations. What better time to suggest and support a brilliant pastime.   PRETTY JARS AND BOTTLES Unusual and pretty jars and bottles…
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AS I LOOK FORWARD TO THE START OF THE MARMALADE SEASON, I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE RECEIVED THIS POST FROM AMADORA GAHONA, the daughter of the owner of the AVE MARIA SEVILLE ORANGES FARM. THE OWNER is AMADORA FRAGA and pictured here ‘This is the story about our Sevilles oranges and it expresses the sentiments and…
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It is something about the fact that Thanksgiving is purely about the thanks and the receiving and enjoying  food, about the gathering as a family for the meal that it so appeals to me and I envy the Americans having such a holiday to celebrate. There is none of the commercialism to be found (I…
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      Well Mrs Patmore would be proud of me – even dewy eyed – as I get the mincemeat mix ready now  to enjoy later. I may not have the residents of Downton to feed although it sometimes seems like it. I chose the simplest of Beryl’s six mincemeat recipes just substituting vegetarian…
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I adore sun dried tomatoes and but feel very indulgent whenever buying a commercially made jar. Apart from the fact that they are annoyingly expensive, I kick myself for never having tried to make them myself. So this year, after having made plenty of tomato sauce, tomato and apple chutney and after Olivia added the…
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Earlier this summer I spent a blissful few days in Menton on the Cote D’Azur relaxing and having something of a reading orgy! Menton is next to the Italian border and has its own special micro climate. It is also known for the bright yellow lemons which grow in abundance, rich in acid and essence….
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*GIVE-AWAY* Throughout Autumn 2014, Square Peg will be giving away copies of Let’s Preserve It every Monday for the best photos of your preserving efforts tweeted @pegssquare with the hashtag #LetsPreserveIt! What a wonderful month to enjoy turning produce into your own jams and chutneys and Square Peg are wanting your best pics for Twitter. You will find more information…
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Some recipes call for the use of only  fresh herbs in a dish to complement the other flavours. However for many dried herbs can be used instead although it worth remembering that dried herbs give a more concentrated flavour to the recipe so when substituting dried for fresh herbs use about one third of the suggested quantity for fresh herbs….
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There is nothing simpler or more rewarding than growing your own herbs and when you start to cook to be able to stretch out for a handful of your home grown thyme or basil. Whether you are limited to a small garden or patio, to a balcony, hanging basket, wall planting or a window sill,…
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  I recently had time to visit Chelsea Physic Garden. It is a haven of peace and nature in a walled garden amidst the smart residences of Chelsea. It was set up in 1673 by the Worshipful Company of Apothecaries for their apprentices to grow and learn about medicinal plants in what was then considered…
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