Pay Off Before Lay Off!

Habibiboo

muddywhitechicken wrote: »

:wave: Hbbb

Here's the pickled crab apple recipe:

300 mL cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
400 g granulated sugar
25 g fresh root ginger, bruised
5 cm piece cinnamon stick
1 tsp allspice berries
1 tsp cloves
1 kg crab apples

Makes 2 x 680 g jars

Put all ingredients except crab apples in a large pan over a low heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil. Turn down the heat to a simmer.

!!!!! crab apples all over with a needle or skewer (to prevent skins bursting).

Add to the hot vinegar and simmer until they are tender but not too soft. Remove with a slotted spoon and pack into warm, sterilised jars.

Bring the spiced vinegar syrup to the boil and boil for 5 minutes then strain it over the apples. Cover jars with vinegar-proof lids. Keep for at least a month before using. Eat within a year.

From RC Handbook No. 2: Preserves by Pam Corbin

Different spices can be used - she suggests cardamom and coriander with a flake or two of dried chilli.

:wave:

Thanks so much for this MWC, we still have quite a few jars left and an itch to do something productive with the fruits we have, will definitely try this with the crabs!

I love that the filter prevented the description of what needs doing to the crabs ... Can't have !!!!! and crabs in the same sentence, apparently! :rotfl:

What do you eat it with, by the way? Literally with savoury stuff, like a chutney? x

Habibiboo

hanging_on_in_there... wrote: »

Really don't know what to do with our book stash at mo...can't seem to offload then at a reasonable amount of cash anywhere :-(

:wave:

My mum doesn't want them for the boot sale either, she says she's still struggling to offload the last lot I have her! Hmmm, a sign of the times, has the world gone Kindle crazy do you think?

Hope all's well with you! x

Habibiboo

Watty1 wrote: »

Hope you are feeling much better and that the continental chocs did the trick.

:wave:

Thanks Watty, I suspect a full recovery may require more, especially the dark choc ones that had a subtle tang of brandy!

Hope you're all recovered now too? x

muddywhitechicken

Habibiboo wrote: »

:wave:

Thanks so much for this MWC, we still have quite a few jars left and an itch to do something productive with the fruits we have, will definitely try this with the crabs!

I love that the filter prevented the description of what needs doing to the crabs ... Can't have !!!!! and crabs in the same sentence, apparently! :rotfl:

What do you eat it with, by the way? Literally with savoury stuff, like a chutney? x

:rotfl:

Yes, serve with cold cuts

Sorry to hear that you've been under the weather

MWCx

BookWorm

Just popped by to say hello :hello: Sorry to hear you have been feeling below par. Hope you are on the mend now

Goldiegirl

Hello,hope you are feeling better soon...... It seems strange when you don't post!

Habibiboo

:wave:

muddywhitechicken wrote: »

:rotfl:

Yes, serve with cold cuts

Sorry to hear that you've been under the weather

MWCx

BookWorm wrote: »

Just popped by to say hello :hello: Sorry to hear you have been feeling below par. Hope you are on the mend now

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Hello,hope you are feeling better soon...... It seems strange when you don't post!

Awww, shucks everyone, visitors and thankers, you're very kind, it's kind of you to miss me ... my burbling plans, downshift deliberations and frugal fathoming! x

apple_muncher

And also amazing alliteration...

Habibiboo

:wave:

OK, little update to catch up on the days missed!

MFW actions:

* Several NSDs in a row, but not quite the 7 as is the ambition for some stage of September. I broke the run to make the most of the MSE mail bargain of the John Greed pearl jewelry on Thursday, to put into the Chrismtas present stash! Since then though 3 NSDs in a row.

* Budget for month sorted, but not sure about progress of AA as cash flow is a bit short as I've been unable to work for a few days. Mini shuffle tomorrow and hopefully a MOP. Pondering on this overall.

AA day 16 / 100 = £400 / £2,000

Grey Clouds:

Mr. Hbbb has hurt his leg (delayed reaction to shock of cycling, possibly)! He is soldiering on, bless him. He's also back at school. Enough said about that.

Silver lining:

Lovely sunny weekend, sloe picking yesterday was very productive ... 6lbs picked and now in the freezer, to get ready for sloe gin / vodka production for Christmas ... although I'm still a bit in the dizzy vomiting side and it was more slow picking from my end of the lane!

Daily Declutter:

* Several miscellaneous bobbins recycled from garage; a few things listed on Freegle; another charity bag started. Only the recycled bobbins have actually left the house so total stands at 282 / 365.

Simple Pleasures:

* Lots of fresh air with doggies and me man
* Sloes and blackberries
* Ongoing tomatoes and courgettes (cultivating one as a marrow)
* Menu plan for September all sorted, will update tomorrow
* Kind virtual friends checking up on me!

Truly hope everyone else is OK, especially with work and health!

tootallulah

Hi HBBBO I do hope that you feel better soon, what a bore. Sloes here are fantastic this year but I still have both gin and vodka from last year so no picking for me. Long may this September summer continue, making up for autumn arriving in the middle of August. I am trying to cut down on gas use etc so no heating here until Octoberish.