New Recipe Day!

So this week winter arrived in Kent, there's been a touch of frost on the ground for the last couple of days... how did that happen? Last week it was warm, I was still wearing my t-shirts but now I've cracked open the jumpers.

Anyway the onset of the cold weather means I want to try out all my lovely winter recipes. I've got a few in my book which scream warming winter delights. The first is an Orange & Whisky marmalade. I love marmalade... a bit like Paddington Bear I like nothing better than a Marmalade sandwich, I always have done. As a kid I made it with the whitest cheapest bread but now I'm a grown-up (in age if not mind) I've upgraded it all. The bread is now a lovely crusty seeded bloomer from the village bakers and the marmalade has a touch of whisky to pep it up. It's not strong, there's just enough to make me feel all warm inside. I love the chunky shred as well... it must mean I'm getting one of my five a day (surely)?

Once that was made (and tested) I set to a new recipe that I discovered a while ago but I've had to wait until the season changed to find cranberries in the shops. They don't arrive until November presumably because they are synonymous with Christmas and my Red Wine and Cranberry Chutney couldn't be more perfect. It has a beautiful deep ruby red colouring and the dried fruit and mixed spice made the kitchen smell like Christmas but more importantly it tasted of Christmas. It's got me in the mood for getting the decorations out!!!!! I will hold off though - I hate a dead tree! The chutney needs a month to mature so it will be absolutely perfect for Christmas dinner... or turkey sandwiches... or Boxing day Bubble & Squeak... or New's Eve Cheeseboard... basically it goes with anything and adds a bit of the seasonal spirit to whatever you eat.

Why not visit the shop to order a jar or two... they make the perfect christmas presents!

Enjoy!