I went crazy today...

[StripyPixieSocks]

... well... crazier

Had a day making chutneys and pickles and in no particular order made: Pickled Garlic, Carrot Chutney, Tomato Ketchup, Sweetcorn Relish and some Limoncello

I've always wanted to make Limoncello because it's so expensive in the shops and after making this one which was really easy I am going to make some Orange and Lime versions too as the colours are absolutely amazing!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skyblue1971/4078197183/

... and of course lots of jars of... stuff...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skyblue1971/4078954186/

Very exhausted now but very happy I got it all done

[Milims]

Well done you! I must be the season for it - I went off and bought 4 pumpkins today specially to make chutney!

[StripyPixieSocks]

I really enjoyed today, myself and my OH in the kitchen chatting, laughing and making loads of stuff that we will enjoy for a few months to come in the happy knowledge there's nothing nasty lurking in what we are eating!

Would have loved to have grown all the stuff myself but until I have a garden I can't but one day lol

[Milims]

It is a really lovely thing to do. I find it really theraputic chopping stirring and watching the magic! So much so that my jam/chutney/tomato ketchup cupboard is now beginning to be 2 cupboards! As you say, it will keep us going for ages, there's no nasties in there - and it makes great gifts!
As the halloween pumkins are being reduced to clear in the shops - would you like the spiced pumpkin chutney recipe?

[Trace45]

Here, here...i make jars and jars of chutneys and jams from foraged stuff, what i've grown or what people give me. I too find it relaxing and therapeutic. Although my daughter and i don't eat all of it i give loads away or sell them at charity coffee mornings.
Keep it up everyone

[Odsox]

I managed a smile today no easy task in the morning.
I have never heard of pickled garlic before and rather than asking Stripey I though I would go all independent and Google it.
Found it (just like pickled onions) but what made me smile on this American site is that they explain that it comes in 8oz jars and costs $5 - $8.
Then they mention in passing <quote> For those who are particularly adventurous in the kitchen, pickled garlic can also be made at home
Wow, now there's a radical thought.

[StripyPixieSocks]

It is a really lovely thing to do. I find it really theraputic chopping stirring and watching the magic! So much so that my jam/chutney/tomato ketchup cupboard is now beginning to be 2 cupboards! As you say, it will keep us going for ages, there's no nasties in there - and it makes great gifts!
As the halloween pumkins are being reduced to clear in the shops - would you like the spiced pumpkin chutney recipe?

Could it be made with Butternut Squash? I tried a Halloween type pumpkin a few weeks ago and I wasn't overkeen although it has to be said our oven wasn't working too well so perhaps it wasn't cooked enough so I'm willing to give it another try if you would share your recipe... thanks

The pickled garlic recipe I used was from here: http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/pickle.htm scroll down until you get to pickled garlic and use that recipe, can't vouch for the taste just yet though!

The other recipes were:

Carrot Chutney: http://www.indianfoodforever.com/chutne ... utney.html makes about 1 1/2 x 500ml jars and you have to simmer it for around 45 minutes

Tomato Ketchup: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/datab ... 8882.shtml It says 20 minutes to thicken but I really don't think mine is anywhere near thick enough. I made a quarter of the amount specified and it made 2 x 500ml jars BUT I might have to boil it again to make it thicker so maybe a quarter of the recipe would make1 1/2 x 500ml jars... we will have to see

Sweetcorn Relish: http://www.gourmetbritain.com/recipes_e ... p?item=296 I made one third of this recipe and it made 3 x 500ml jars

Limoncello: http://www.italyum.com/italian-recipes/ ... cello.html I love this stuff but it's really expensive so I made my own... I LOVE the colour already and am going to make an orange and a lime version also for Xmas!

All in all a very interesting day yesterday

[MKG]

SPS - you DID use vodka for the limoncello, didn't you?

The reason I ask is that the fact that most of the lemon rind is sitting on top of the liquid, although there appear to be a few "passengers" going up and down in the liquid, plus the slightly cloudy appearance makes it all look like it's fermenting - which isn't possible in vodka.

Mike

[StripyPixieSocks]

SPS - you DID use vodka for the limoncello, didn't you?

The reason I ask is that the fact that most of the lemon rind is sitting on top of the liquid, although there appear to be a few "passengers" going up and down in the liquid, plus the slightly cloudy appearance makes it all look like it's fermenting - which isn't possible in vodka.

Mike

Yep I used 40% Vodka which makes all the bits sit at the bottom but when you put the sugar syrup in it changes the gravity and makes the lemon all sit on the top, it's not fermenting and it gets a good shake every day... or will do

[Martina]

WOW, SPS. Way to go.

All I got done today was sitting in the office doing sh*te interesting. . Except when I snuck in here and read the posts, and make a few of my own. So Good for you! Just asking, what I am sure is dense question, but what is Lemoncello? A liquor?

Thanks, and have a good rest----you've earned it.

Martina

[StripyPixieSocks]

WOW, SPS. Way to go.

All I got done today was sitting in the office doing sh*te interesting. . Except when I snuck in here and read the posts, and make a few of my own. So Good for you! Just asking, what I am sure is dense question, but what is Lemoncello? A liquor?

Thanks, and have a good rest----you've earned it.

Martina

Hee hee, Limoncello is a Lemon Liqueur basically Lemon zest steeped in Vodka and then sweetened with a little simple sugar syrup to taste. You do eventually filter the zest out and are left with a sweet alcoholic lemon drink!

[Martina]

[/quote]

Hee hee, Limoncello is a Lemon Liqueur basically Lemon zest steeped in Vodka and then sweetened with a little simple sugar syrup to taste. You do eventually filter the zest out and are left with a sweet alcoholic lemon drink![/quote]

Well that sounds easy! Now I know what to do with all the left over lemon zest when I bake. I loooove vodka with pretty much any type of fruit. I don't know why I never thought of lemons

Thanks, SPS.

Martina