Newness

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What a lovely Jam, and all in a Pickle

What a fabulous day I had on Saturday at Tresillian House at the Summer Preserving Workshop with Pam "the jam" Corbin and Liz "the pickle" Neville.

I watched with pure pleasure, for over 4 hours (albeit 3 fabulous food breaks), whilst these 2 absolute joys enthused, nattered, stirred, boiled and informed us lucky 25 of many recipes and generously shared their vast experience.

The course was well planned, we all recieved pamphlets of the recipes, but the full "Jam Packed" recipe book by Pam was available to buy at a special price. Pam 'the Jam' Corbin kindly signed and personalised my book.
Truely inspired - we even were provided with discount voucher for the on line supplier of jam paraphenalia www.jamjarshop.com

Having a special view of the walled garden, with gardener John - an authority on lunar planting, was a real pleasure

Loads more information to follow....soon!

Food festivals

word of mouth is slightly delayed ( I've been busy!) , but is a great summary of all major food festivals this summer.

Tennessee dish with a Scottish twist .....can I find cornmeal in Jedburgh?

I'm trying to get a Tennessee dish with a Scottish twist, by looking at recipes on line and in books and adapting my experience of Texan/southern cooking from years ago - all because of the music of McIntosh Ross!

Tennessee is the centre of the southern states of America – bordered by, amongst others - Kentucky; Mississippi and Alabama. The influences of Creole and Cajun are omnipresent, as are the indigenous ingredients such as corn (sweetcorn), and cornmeal plus styles of cooking such as Barbeque.

As the Home of Elvis it may not have the best name in sophisticated cuisine, but has a great music heritage.

Research is showing up family favourites such as Spoonbread (made with cornmeal and I think is not bread as we know it, more like a soufflé); Corn fritters; Collard greens; Barbeque Pork all finished off with Pecan Pie.

I'll give those recipes a go over the weekend after my food shopping trip to Jedburgh farmers market tomorrow.