2016... So far this year I have preserved.....

[Mrs Bee]

I have found a lovely blackberry BBQ sauce recipe too.

[vixylix]

I have found a lovely blackberry BBQ sauce recipe too.

Ooh Mrs Bee this sounds good! Could you possibly send me the recipe pretty please

[Small pumpkin]

Plum & whisky liquor (might be read for next Christmas)

[Guest]

3 batches of plum and apple mincemeat
Mirabelle jelly
Mirabelle cheese
Souper mix (veg stock to the rest of us)

[Mrs Bee]

Ooh Mrs Bee this sounds good! Could you possibly send me the recipe pretty please

This a recipe that I have adapted as I found the sugar level far too sweet. I usually reduce the sugar in American style BBQ recipes as they are all far too sweet and cloying.

1 tab flavourless oil
1 diced onion
2 garlic cloves crushed
3 canned chipotle peppers. I got mine from Amazon
180g tomato puree
230ml red wine vinegar
125 balsamic vinegar
500g blackberries
125g light brown sugar
2 tabs Worcestershire sauce
1 tab ground cumin
1 tab chipotle chilli powder or to taste
1 tab cayenne or to taste
1/2 tab ground allspice
1 tab garlic powder
1/2 tab sea salt flakes
1/2 tab freshly ground black pepper

I would suggest that you taste the mixture before adding all the chilli powder, cayenne pepper and salt you may decide that you don't want to use the cayenne or chilli powder if the chipotle chillies give enough heat for your taste. I would also add the salt a little at a time to make sure it isn't too salty for your taste.

Soften the onions, add garlic. Cook for about a minute.
Add tomato puree and chipotle peppers. Cook for about 25 mins until it begins to caramelise. Then add the vinegars and mix well.
Add remaining ingredients and cook until the mixture begins to thicken.

Liquidise, and sieve to remove the pips. Pot into an airtight container and keep in the fridge for a few days or freeze it in smaller pots.

I seem to remember I made half the quantity and cut down on the chilli powders as I had someone who couldn't take too much heat.

[SusieG]

My efforts making a HUGE batch of Tomato & Chilli Jam today - result: 1 medium-size kilner jar ...

(It was still very watery at the end of the 'simmering time' - so after almost boiling it until it 'thickened' - this was all I ended up with ........)

[Mrs Bee]

My efforts making a HUGE batch of Tomato & Chilli Jam today - result: 1 medium-size kilner jar ...

(It was still very watery at the end of the 'simmering time' - so after almost boiling it until it 'thickened' - this was all I ended up with ........)

Ah but reducing it gives a better flavour than anything you can buy. All the commercial brands are thickened not reduced. It is far better to have a smaller quantity with a great flavour.

[Mrs Bee]

5 apple and chilli cheeses
3 apple and black pepper cheese
3 apple and rosemary cheese.
2 jars of courgettes in walnut oil

[SusieG]

Ah but reducing it gives a better flavour than anything you can buy. All the commercial brands are thickened not reduced. It is far better to have a smaller quantity with a great flavour.

((I did have a sneaky taste this morning, and was pleasantly surprised ~ it was lovely..!!))

[SusieG]

Today's efforts:
(Front) Evil Chilli Chutney
(back) Spiced Runner Bean Chutney

[SusieG]

^^^^^^^^They actually don't look very appealing ~ but the aromas in the kitchen were amazing..!

[craftymarie]

I made runner bean chutney yesterday as well Susie. I was told that the kitchen smelled evil!!! I thought it was great - guess it depends how much you like runner beans or not Going to try a runner bean soup with the next glut.

[SusieG]

I made runner bean chutney yesterday as well Susie. I was told that the kitchen smelled evil!!! I thought it was great - guess it depends how much you like runner beans or not Going to try a runner bean soup with the next glut.

Well Marie, when young son came wandering into the kitchen ~ the simmering chillis made his eyes water and he was very dramatically coughing and spluttering...!!!
Whereas I, as I was working in there - didn't even notice ............!

[allyby]

I need to use up some Apache Chilli's and a couple of Red Peppers, I was in ASda earlier and they had packs of greengages for 25p (JUST ON THEIR USE BY DATE) so I got a couple and simmering on the cooker just now is, Greengage, Apple and Red Pepper Spicy Chutney, will hopefully post a pic later.

[allyby]

I got 4 jars, very pleased with the taste, very fruity and hot.