Foraging Challenge

Possession

Is this already on here? (If so will delete it)
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=11568769&postcount=968

kerrypn

Well I have had a foraging recon trip today

Very excited to find Wild Cherry trees, Hawthorn trees, thistles in abundance, watercress, Dog Rose, Goose grass and what I think may have been scurvy grass

Really hoped to see some mushrooms, not to pick but to have a go at identifying them(I wont be doing that until I am confident I know which ones are likely to kill me lol) but there wasn't a single one to be seen-there are normally a few dotted about and I thought the wet weather might have encouraged them to grow.

Also found a really healthy looking bramble, which I am earmarking for jam in autumn

splodger_seedswapper

jumblejack wrote: »

I've been after IDing this for ages so I really hope it is. I have a picture of the blanket of growth. I will upload it on a larger image as there is the odd white flower still evident....
Cheers

re chickweed - i took a load of pictures today - so that you can compare my chickweed with yours

there are too many to post - but hopefully you can view them via this link

http://www.seedswappers.co.uk/plant%20gallery.html

pics 3 to 10 - with 3 being an overview of the carpet it creates (in this instance through a strawberry bed) the last few pics give an indication of size / scale

hope that helps

jumblejack

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

re chickweed - i took a load of pictures today - so that you can compare my chickweed with yours

there are too many to post - but hopefully you can view them via this link

http://www.seedswappers.co.uk/plant%20gallery.html

pics 3 to 10 - with 3 being an overview of the carpet it creates (in this instance through a strawberry bed) the last few pics give an indication of size / scale

hope that helps

Thanks a gazillion!!!:T

I wil have to look on the laptop tomorrow as I don't have updated flash on the pad to see them! That will be extremely useful!!!

Thanks so much, splodger:A:

Edit:
What a terrific site! Great idea:T

DebtFree2012

Fast action yeast added - fingers crossed - distinctive smell coming from it though!

splodger_seedswapper

debtfree - if you've added bakers yeast - i should be fine (if liquid is at right temp) - it will smell more yeasty and the wine won't have a nice bouquet and won't be quite as good as if using a wine yeast - but it will still work ok

bakers yeast - once it's got going - will probably be more frothy too, so make sure you have plenty of head room in your dj or bucket etc

Aldahbra

Hi all sorry I have been missing, I have been really poorly this last week. My Dr identified it as gall stones yesterday so hopefully things will get sorted soon.


JJ I have added your lettuce and nasturtiums and lavender biscuits to list on post one. I have been talking to my Dad about elderflower champaign. I use his recipe, he says that he only ever leaves it in the bucket for 24 hours, so I have been doing it wrong. His is always fantastic.


Possession - I've put a link to that page on post 1

ScarletRaven

Got my copy of 'Food for Free' today (28p used on Amazon, yet arrived in practically new condition - bargain!). I realised upon looking at some of the recipes that you need a lot less elderflowers than I thought for elderflower cordial, so I may pop down to the tree I found over the weekend to gather some before they're all gone. Just need to locate a bit of citric acid first, hoping our local Tesco stocks it (meant to be 19p for 20g sachet).

Now just hoping for some better weather to go out with my 'bible' and do some even better foraging!

Becky_2

This is a great thread which I have enjoyed reading. I found it by searching for lavender sugar.

Does anyone know when the best time is to pick lavender? We have loads of lavender in our garden. They currently have a lovely lilac colour but don't smell much, I know from last year that later on they will have an intense smell.

With the lavender I want to make lavender sugar. How much sugar would I use with the lavender? When would I pick the lavender?

I also want to freeze loads of lavender since I have found a recipe for lavender infused creams. Again when is the best to harvest it to freeze?

jumblejack

Becky2, welcome :wave:
Not sure about the lavendar. I have used some of mine for biscuits recently. They were a very delicate flavour. I wasn't aware that flavour can vary depending on where we are in the season.
Lavendar sugar seems a nice idea:T. Might try that. What dishes do you reserve it for?
Cheers
JJ