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Post by Lancashire Lass on Sept 18, 2020 18:09:50 GMT
As the summer fades into autumn it’s time to turn to jam making etc. Jazzy mentioned picking sloes which I have never ever done or conscientiously seen. I’ve been watching a crabapple tree going red with all the fruit on it and as always, they had to start drOpting off the tree to get me into action. So I’ve picked what I could reach and with 3lb have made 5 jam jar size crabapple jelly pots. The other 2lb were bruised or had bug holes in them. I used a recipe that included cinnamon sticks which my OH says is too strong. Rather disappointed!
What have you picked and made?
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Post by Bellatrix on Sept 18, 2020 19:24:49 GMT
I love the sound of your makes LL and I was thinking of Jazzy too. I really must do some this year as they would make nice gifts for people at Christmas. I'm way more into giving food gifts now as they are a practical gift, instead of things that get put in a cupboard and forgotten about.
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Post by magggzzz on Sept 19, 2020 11:36:29 GMT
I love this idea. I don’t have many people to give Christmas presents to anymore. We just give the boys money as that’s all they want. I usually give them some sweets and little things but it’s parents who are so difficult to buy for. None of them really need or want anything. I enjoy buying for friends so that’s not really a problem.
So give me your best ideas for homemade gifts ( with recipes) please. This sort of thing would be ideal for my dad and my in laws.
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Post by trisha on Sept 20, 2020 17:51:53 GMT
Maggzz, peppermint creams, chocolate truffles and brownies would be simple to make. Sloe gin is also easy, best left to mature for a couple of years though.
There are some simple recipes on line.
I still have bramble jelly left from a few years ago, so I haven't bothered this year.
Trisha
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Post by magggzzz on Sept 20, 2020 18:04:34 GMT
I like the idea of these. Thanks for that. x
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Post by Lancashire Lass on Sept 21, 2020 7:26:20 GMT
The crabapple jelly was easy peasy to make. Much easier than making marmalade!
You could buy some damsons and make damson jam. That’s a bit different from the normal raspberry and strawberry that tend to be store cupboard favourites.
Mint jelly is easy too.
You can buy some jars with pretty lids and labels from shops like Lakeland. I guess they sell nice boxes to for the brownies and sweets that were mentioned. Before you know it, you will have a lovely hamper!
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Post by vwcamperfan on Sept 22, 2020 7:47:15 GMT
I've made some blackberry and apple jam - only a couple of jars - but I make it in the breadmaker, so much easier and less messy lol
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Jazzy
Winter
Jazzy
Posts: 1,453 
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Post by Jazzy on Sept 22, 2020 10:12:18 GMT
I've made some blackberry and apple jam - only a couple of jars - but I make it in the breadmaker, so much easier and less messy lol We have made some too VW, it’s delicious, I’m wishing I had a pantry so that I could admire all those jars lined up on the shelves 🤣 |
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Post by Lancashire Lass on Sept 24, 2020 7:50:59 GMT
We saw two women picking blackberries at the side of a busy A road yesterday. We both said they were nuts. Firstly the danger from the traffic hitting them and secondly the exhaust fumes on and in the blackberries.
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Post by Bellatrix on Sept 24, 2020 12:24:58 GMT
Cookies are easy to make too Mags, I use a crumble topping recipe but use half flour to oats (rough oats) also add a little honey and cinnamon for a christmas feel, 10 mins to prep, 10 mins to bake. I make a ball then flatten out on the baking tray, so they are chunky cookies. Then stack them and wrap then in greaseproof paper with a ribbon or string to secure. You can get a mini hamper going  |
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Post by magggzzz on Sept 24, 2020 16:09:49 GMT
I used to make cookies quite a lot. Everybody’s favourite was Snickerdoodles which is a cinnamon cookie. It’s very very sweet so I don’t make them any more as I wouldn’t be able to resist eating them.
I’m now planning 2 hampers for my dad and my FIL. My MIL is difficult to buy for. We always end up with DVDs but that’s what she likes.
She used to be very difficult but she’s mellowed a lot as she’s got older but if I ever get them food then I can guarantee she’ll find something wrong with it. I bought them some butchers sausages a while ago as she was complaining about the Tesco ones but they didn’t go down well so never again.
I can easily put together a nice hamper for FIL though and he’ll love everything.
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Post by Bellatrix on Sept 24, 2020 17:48:58 GMT
I'll share something I do but this may not be useful until next year. In January Morrisons sell off all their unsold Christmas Hampers, you know the ones that have lovely baskets with them. There's usually finest selection goods in there. So we eat the contents and end up with the lovely baskets which we start building hampers with in October, buying a couple of things a week for them and making some stuff and hey presto, you have a beautiful Hamper without noticing the cost  |
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Post by magggzzz on Sept 24, 2020 18:21:57 GMT
What a great idea. I was just going to find 2 sturdy boxes and cover them inside and out with Christmas paper. If they go down well though I’ll probably be heading to Morrison’s right after Christmas.
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