So..... did I buy the Vitamix, darn right I did! When it comes to spending money on naff kitchen gadgets, I'm the Queen. However, I must report with all honesty, I am still (after all these weeks) pretty impressed with the thing. I am getting fresh fruit (and veg) ice-creams and smoothies; it does chop rather better than my Magimix, which is now reserved for pastry making as it makes rubbing in so much easier (as demonstrated frequently on TV by the Hairy Bikers); the hot soups are a marvel and the iced cappuccinos are out of this world. As you can see from the photo, it;s basically a very pricey blender, hey ho!
Not too much else to report this month, the weather has certainly scuppered a few of my plans. The strawberries are first year plants so I wasn't expecting much from them, hopefully next year I can replenish my jam stocks. The one preserve I am hoping to get done is Crab Apple and Chilli Jelly. I love this with roast pork (or any pork in fact), cold cuts and cheese. It keeps well and is oh so tasty. There are various recipes around, the one I like best is:-
Hot Crab Apple & Chilli Jelly
600g of crab apples washed and chopped
35g of medium red chilli peppers, washed and chopped with seeds in
1ltr of water
White granulated sugar, 500g to each 500ml of juice
Method:
1. Put chopped crab apples and chillies into a large heavy based saucepan.
2. Add 1ltr of water. Bring to the boil and simmer until the crab apples soften and become pulpy,
lid on.
3. Strain through muslin square or jelly bag overnight.
4. Measure the juice and put into a large heavy based saucepan with the appropriate amount of sugar.
Slowly bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the juice and sugar has come to the
boil take off the heat and skim well. Return to the heat and bring to a rolling boil until setting
point is reached.
5. Skim and pour into warm sterilised jars.
ENJOY!
When I started writing this morning, Grumpy had disappeared to the allotments. He came home with one or two tomatoes so I think my afternoon will be taken up with making a few batches of tomato sauce; and there's me thinking I could put my feet up, watch the Olympics and do a bit of knitting!
