So how are your gift preparations going?
My vanilla extract is still macerating away in a dark place but there is plenty still happening in the kitchen.
Elders are in bloom here now and the last of my late winter lemons have gone into the Elderflower cordial. Truly it is the nectar of fairies.
Here is the recipe I use.
On Sunday I foraged for spray free rose petals of divine fragrance.
It's that time of year again for making rose petal jam.
I have previously posted here.
I'll not lie to you. It took me a couple of hours to collect the petals and then FOUR hours of sorting, cleaning (read: de-bugging) and snipping before allowing the mass to macerate in sugar overnight.
I then had the crazy idea that I could whip this jam up before work this morning....
54 jars later....
not really but almost....
8litres of jam people!!!
What was I thinking. Before work. Really?
Just finding lids to match that many jars took forever let alone the sterilising.
But it's done.
TRULY WORTH THE EFFORT!
Food of the fairies
Can't you just imagine fairies sipping elder flower nectar from acorn cups and licking rose petal jam from velvety petal bowls.
I've already made my preserved peel last month. This year I also used orange peel and I have bought some special couverture chocolate from the famous Tasmanian House of Anvers and I'm going to half dip those. The bitter orange peel and rich chocolate will be a divine Christmas treat.
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So get to gathering and foraging and cooking to make some unique and magical gifts from the kitchen. You still have four weeks to go.
Those gifts sound wonderful! I've been to Anvers...beautiful quality chocolate. Those bitter orange peel dipped in chocolate will be quite decadent :-)
ReplyDeletelook at you tanya! what amazing productivity..you've reminded me to pick some of my elderflowers and have a go at some cordial..x
ReplyDeleteOh what awesome gifts you are making. I have just been crocheting christmas ornaments, and also made some out of felt, a bit fiddly, but they will appeal to the kids. Later on I will do some baking - picked up some lovely coffee mugs that I will fill with biscotti, gingerbread men etc, and wrap in two with a dish towel.
ReplyDeleteThe chef in our kitchen is the one for making such delights..:)) Today he will be making our Christmas cheese... Yesterday we harvested our garlic for preserving in jars for giving :))
ReplyDeleteI have crocheted a few items .. Always like to give something home made.. Thanks for sharing your ideas today :))
Now that is just impressive.....
ReplyDelete