APRICOT & ROSEMARY

Apricot rosemary jam


*1.5kg apricots
*200ml apple juice
*1kg preserving sugar
*1 lemon
*finely chopped rosemary


Half, stone & chop the apricots.  Put in a large pan with the apple juice.  Bring to the boil then simmer for 10 minutes.  Stir in the sugar & lemon over a medium heat until dissolved.  Add the rosemary & boil 20 minutes until it reaches setting point.  Skim & stir in a knob of butter.  Cool for 10 minutes, then ladle into jars   

Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning, and the first thing that I saw

Was the sun through yellow curtains, and a rainbow on the wall,

(Joni Mitchell)

STAR ANISE & CHOCOLATE

Star anise brownies  (makes 16)


*125g chocolate, melted
*225g stoned dates
*125g butter
*1 egg
*1 ripe banana, mashed
*85g caster sugar
*1 tsp vanilla
*75g plain flour, sifted
*2tsp baking power, sifted
*1/2 piece star anise, ground


Preheat the oven 180C.  Grease a 18cmx28cm tin.  Put the dates in a saucepan just covered with enough water & put on a low heat for 10 minutes.  Drain & blend till smooth.  allow to cool then cream the butter and dates till fluffy.  Beat in the sugar, mashed banana, egg & vanilla.  Add the melted chocolate.  Lightly fold in the flour and baking powder.  Bake 30 - 35 minutes.  

A late night jazz singer in a smoke filled café; husky voice and a 50’s microphone.   

ROSEMARY & LAGER

Add a sprig of rosemary to a cold lager

He’s no longer a boy, he's just caught your attention with a wink.       

ROSEMARY & ALMOND

Salted rosemary & chilli almonds

* 1 cup raw almonds

* 2 tablespoons good extra-virgin olive oil

* pinch of sea salt

* pinch of dried chilli flakes

* 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped, extra

Toss the almonds in oil for a few minutes, add the salt chilli & rosemary

They fell for each other over an evening of sherry drinking.  Now an older couple full of stories of travel & worldly wisdom & still very much in love.   

CHEESE & PINEAPPLE

Comte, parmesan, wensleydale & pineapple sticks

“Did you know that every 22 seconds somewhere in the world a tupperwear party starts?”