Botanical blunderings on a budget - good life starts here.

vl2588

Hoping bunnies can swim

Triciaxx

I don't suppose the Cheerys are sobbing their hearts out. :rotfl::rotfl:

vl2588

Orkneys on Countryfile tonight, BBC1 8pm

Uniscots97

Glad your ok Pippi. Wrap up warm and stay indoors. Hope the weather improves soon. Poor hens as well.

chevalier

recipe alert! I am about 5 pages behind, but need a bit of help. Have got a medium large size bag of small oranges and lemons, and want a orange and lemon marmalade recipes that isn't too much of a faff, and that will set! as last year mine didn't.

Will ask moo2moo too so I get the best people on the job! Thanks
chev

Lemon_Tree

hi, glad you're safe if a little soggy Pippi,
I've had a lovely catch up with a friend this morning whilst OH was at work and i may be taking up a sewing course. I've made clothes before but have thrown away more than i've finished at times, and i'd really love to have some nice clothes. My friend and i will probably go together as we've realised that our lives are becoming very insular.

Triciaxx

vl2588 wrote: »

Orkneys on Countryfile tonight, BBC1 8pm

:j:j Just watched it. :j:j

DH is saying we should take the caravan up there - it looks lovely. :T:T:T

vl2588

It was very windy

Uniscots97

Chev, Orange and Lemon marmalade with a kick:-

Ingredients
Makes 4 jars

Prep: 20 min plus soaking
Cook: 1 hr 30 min

2 lemons
4 oranges
white granulated sugar (see recipe)
2tbsp good whisky
4 x 300ml screw-top jars, sterilised


METHOD

Scrub the fruit well, and dry. Cut off the rinds and cut them into thin strips. Finely chop the fruit, placing the pips in a small muslin bag tied with string. Place the fruit, rind and pips in a large bowl and cover with cold water (about 1.5l). Cover and leave to soak overnight. Transfer the mixture to a heavy-bottomed pan, and bring to the boil. Simmer gently until the fruit is soft, about 30 minutes.

Weigh the fruit mixture, then measure out three quarters of its weight in sugar. Add to the fruit, stirring enthusiastically until dissolved, and boil rapidly for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until you reach setting point (place a little of the mixture on a plate and freeze for 2 minutes — if set, it will wrinkle when moved). Add the whisky and stir well, cool slightly, then ladle into warm sterilised jars and seal.

OR (This one a friend has made):

Ingredients
3 pints of cold water
4 large unwaxed thin-skinned lemons
4 unwaxed oranges
1 1/2 lb White granulated sugar
1 1/2 lbs Brown Sugar

Method
1. Scrub the fruit and halve
2. Squeeze the juice and pips into a basin
3. Cut up the peel into thin strips or chunks, as preferred
4. Put the peel, any soft pulp and the water in a large heavy-based pan
5. Strain the juice
6. Put the pips in a muslin bag and tie to the handle so that it hangs well down in the water
7. Cook the fruit gently for 2 hours, or until the peel is tender
8. Lift out the muslin bag and squeeze it between two spoons over the pan before discarding
9. Add any citrus juice and sugar – stir until the sugar has completely dissolved
10. Bring to the boil, and boil rapidly until setting point is reached
11. Remove from the heat and skim off any impurities, ie scum, cool for 10 minutes and then stir well to distribute the peel
12. Pot, seal and label
13. Store in a cool, dark dry cupboard, larder or pantry
Important Notes
To check to see if a marmalade has reached setting point. I tend to check this every five minutes or so, because once marmalade is overdone, its really overdone. Put around 4 saucers or small plates in the fridge before starting the marmalade, or in the freezer for 2-3 mins just before you reach this final boiling stage. When you are ready to test the marmalade remove one of the saucers and place a teaspoon of the mixture onto the saucer. Whilst you are doing this make sure the marmalade is off the heat. When the mixture on the sauver is reasonably cool to the touch, push your finger through it slowly – if it wrinkles its done.

Uniscots97

LT, the clothes making classes sound great. I might have some patterns still left in the loft if you'd like them? Think its only women's clothes patterns though, no mens.