Guess what I saw today?

We've been to some meetings today (groan) but on the way back stopped at a farm shop we know of (hurrah) and they had some very young, very pale pink rhubarb - the first I've seen so
far. It will start to come in now more and more and I'm hoping to be able to use some for a new Jam Jar Shop video epic - making Rhubarb and Ginger Chutney. Hopefully May and I will be able to take the photos this week and I can get it onto YouTube so you can make some too. It's really exciting because it is the first home-grown crop of the year - next will be gooseberries married with the fantastic hedgerow Elderflowers and then, well it will all kick off early Summer.

Here we go!

Spring Cleaning

Well the snow has gone from round these parts and life is getting back to normal - or what passes for normal anyway. We're busy, busy, busy with our two great offers on jars to help you through the marmalade season cos' if you're anything like me, you always buy more oranges than you planned. Don't forget that they freeze well so you could spread out the making a bit.

May and I are going to be making mustard this week so we hope to bring you a new method pdf and YouTube slideshow - it really is ridiculously easy to make, and a jar of home-made wholegrain mustard makes a great present, especially if you team it with a bottle of flavoured oil -chilli or herb maybe. Great. I won a Great Tastes Gold award for my mustard the very first year I started making it, so it can't be that tricky!

It is also a good time to be making things like that whilst we wait for the first rhubarb and the early gooseberries. Or think about sorting out the freezer - all those odd bags of left-over fruit or veg could cook up into some tasty chutneys or relishes, making valuable space for the coming year's crops - or the seville oranges!

Don't forget the Marmalade Festival - you can all enter even if you can't visit the Festival and all of the proceeds go to the local Hospice.

Marmalade Method on YouTube - whatever next?

Check out the marmalade recipe and instructions on YouTube - and when you've seen how easy it is go to the website where there are some great bargains to help you make the most of your new-found knowledge.