As in the previous post - it was the fat, muddy bulbs of Beetroot that inspired the making of this. I wanted to pickle them but i came across the recipe in Lakelands Book. I wasn't sure about the orange to begin with, but the recipe wanted 3 and i happend to have 3 oranges sat in my fruit bowl that needed to be used up.... thrifty cookery is the best x
300ml of Malt Vinegar
200g Granulated Sugar ..... heated gently in a large pickling pan.
I added a little less Malt Vinegar and substituted with some Raspberry Vinegar and White Wine Vinegar so i had 400ml i think, all in.
350g/ 3 Raw Beetroot (from the Veg Box)
350g/3 Cooking Apples (scrumped from a neighbour if possible)
225g/ 3 Red Onions (Man sent to the shops to fetch)
Chop them all as small or big as is your preference. I like mine as small as i can, 1cm cubed on average. Add them to the liquid in the pan.
3 oranges - the rind and juice of (i just re-read the recipe and it says only 2, oop, i added 3)
1 garlic clove crushed
1tsp ground Allspice
1tsp Salt
... i added to the mix also: 1tsp Mustard seeds / 1tsp Corriander seeds / Celery Salt / 1tsp GROUND Peppercrons. Add whatever you like... oh and some fresh tiny cut Rosemary! (love that stuff)
Bring it the boil - just - then put it on a low setting and simmer away for 40mins. I put a lid on mine but you don't need to....
Give yourself a pat on the back and feel rather pleased with yourself :)
After 40mins - whack i gave mine a good mulch with a big potato masher as i don't like anything too chunky. Then whack the heat right up again and boil away the last of any liquids you dont want. I kept a bit of liquid in mine.
Oh IF ONLY this screen was scratch and sniff! This kitchen smells amazing x i am in love with my own culinary genius... or i love chutney / presrves / pickles x
This ingredients list made 2 FULL 1/2Litre Kilner Jars - so you are looking at 4 standard jam jars? or even 5 if you want to give away / sell jars that aren't too big?
A glass of chilled white wine to celebrate the fact it was now 5pm on a Friday and i had survived another week as an amazing Mum! tee hee (i have to keep saying it as one day, i'll believe it)
Decorate the jar a bit, of course! And i always put the dates on each jar as i will never remember, come Nov / Dec when they were made or how long they will keep:
"Made in beg. August 2009 - use in Nov 2009 - once opened, keep refridgerated and use within one Month"
So there you have it - open it mid November and you'll have a sweet and spicy preserve to accompany meats and cheeses and it will take you right through Christmas festivities from Mid November into the New Year x
Do i sound like Nigella yet? I hope I am a little more real than that x
We are all interested in shopping local, to have food that has traveled the smallest distance to reach our tables. It is not all convenience and cheapness anymore. Food and how we buy it has a connection to our communities, our families as well as to our traditions and memories.
This is an easy, convenient, only pennies more, simply joyous way of doing this.
Such simple pleasure to be had in opening the door and finding your fresh milk on the doorstep.
Such convenience in a new swizzy email supported ordering process...you can change your delivery right up to nine o'clock the night before! Such variety....milk, eggs, juice, fruit boxes and even pet food! Such a sense of tradition, a pride in supporting millkman and not the local GIANT!
