Aaaaand it's almost over. I hope everything goes as you wished, that everyone is healthy and happy and full of hope for the New Year.

It's time to tidy up, put the decorations away safely for another year, and get ready for the new school term. Happy memories have been made, engagements announced, baby news congratulated, new recipes, new disasters ( those become the best memories of all - trust me. ), Lots of laughter, jokes, silly hats, and a few tears remembering those no longer with us.

Wishing everyone their very best Christmas and New Year - come back soon and explore grown-up serious preserving - first I will be taking you through the world of Marmalade Making - it's easy if you follow my method and I swear that you will never buy commercially made marmalade ever again.

Until we meet again,

Rosie

SHOW LINK:
https://preservepod.co.uk/ep013

#preserving #simplypreservedmagazine #gifts

Two - yes TWO recipes today - classic Peppermint Creams - simple, easy, a welcome change from chocolate and rich fruits- it's a real crowd pleaser. Also, the absolutely delicious Apricot Brandy.

You need to start two weeks before you actually want to drink it, but the upside is, it doesn't need any cooking, just soaking and bottling. It is just so, so apricot-y - it is always a surprise.

Makes a great gift, is a show-stopper after-dinner liqueur, a surprise hamper addition - try making the chocolate-dipped-apricot-brandy-soaked-apricots to nibble as you are drinking it. No brandy involved.

It's preserving magic!

SHOW LINK:
https://preservepod.co.uk/ep012

#preserving #simplypreservedmagazine #gifts #hampers #apricotbrandy #peppermintcreams

If you have a Leaping Lord in your life, maybe he would love some Wholegrain Mustard?

Another ancient preserve brought to us by the Romans - the soldiers carried it everywhere with them in the form of mustard balls, which had been dried in the sun and then carried them in a little leather pouch. At meal times ( to make the meagre rations taste a little better ), some of the dried mustard would be scraped off with a knife onto the meal to season it, or reconstituted with a little red wine.

Not that much different to today except for the soldier bit. When the Romans first came here, their main encampment was at Tewkesbury - and that area is still famous for wholegrain mustard to this day.

The recipes for Wholegrain Mustard are simple - no cooking required - just overnight soaking and then processing. Luckily, we've moved on from grinding the mix between two stones, so it is really easy to make. Just right for your own little soldier. Or difficult to buy for Uncle, or Grandad that 'doesn't want anything.'

N.B. Women eat mustard too.

SHOW LINK:
https://preservepod.co.uk/ep011

#preserving #simplypreservedmagazine #wholegrainmustard #gifts #hampers