Kenilworth & District Horticultural Society

Last night was our main show of the year. This year I entered. Staging started at four o'clock, so Mr S passed the car to me, so this year I was able to enter a few more things.
This is a picture of my runner bean wigwam taken a few weeks ago, and now
it has come up trumps!

In the afternoon I went out to pick some runner beans and sorted through, to find sufficient to stage 6 similar ones. I was so pleased when they not only won first prize, but also Certificate of Merit, and The Barnet Cup for best in the Vegetables Section...... I had been competing with people with large gardens and allotments.

Two pot plants: flowering and foliage also won prizes.

In the Home Produce Section, the Marmalade won first, best in section for preserves, and the Kenilworth Horticultural Society Cup. I also had first prizes in the jam and scones section. My lemon drizzle got 2nd prize.....I baked mine according to schedule....the one which won first had been told that the recipe had typos, when I was baking I was not sure of the recipe, but I have been given 'not judged - not as per schedule' so I stuck in there.....oh well....nice for others to win a prize too! Its actually very good. Except for the scones which I gave a friend, and also the runner beans, the cake in now in the freezer, ready for a later date. I brought the marmalade home for the photo shoot, and because I need my stash to last till January.

There were so many people entered, they had to put up extra tables compared to the previous year, and squeeze exhibits in. The mayor and mayoress: Mr and Mrs D Shilton were there to present the prizes.

Summer Holidays - Leek

In between everything, we have been staying in the Peak District. The first time we stayed in Leek. We went there on because Mr S wanted to have his first experience of driving a steam engine...he wanted me to come, but he wanted to start small. It was a great day, he said he had the most fun day since he was a child!

Here I am reversing into the coaling station for a refuel. I hope you notice the beautifully polished brass. The start of the day consisted of cleaning out the boiler with long rods, adding water, and getting the engine up to steam. Afterwards Mr S and I took turns driving up and down Rudyard Lake.
 Even though it was not a normal working day we took on a few passengers! Mr S has just told me that Rudyard Kipling's parents loved the area so much, they named their son after the place...

As for Leek itself, it was full of interest.....from medieval buildings to attractive domestic, industrial and civic architecture, every single walk out from our Town Centre house, was interesting. This is just one of the many pictures I took, here one can see the wonderful coloured glass window which looks to the rear of this upper room of a house on Stockwell Street.

If great interest to me were the wonderful hand embroidered items, the quality of which is close to those of Opus Anglicanum.

The silks are still vibrant, and it was also interesting to learn about the group of ladies who worked on these. William Morris is closely associated with the town and his influence can be seen frequently.

Whilst we were there we had time to spend the day in Macclesfield, where the Museum of Silk, and Paradise Mill were the highlights. During the week, we explored the area, and as usual I did a little foraging. A little way out of Macclesfield we walked along a trail and I spied some wild bilberries. All I could pick was a small handful, until Mr S made me a small paper cone from a guide leaflet he had in his pocket.
.

I poached them gently when we got back to our holiday house, and they were a treat with cereal and yogurt for breakfast....we also had a few on the Congleton Oat cakes too...local holiday food or what?

Jam, Chutney and Mustard Club

I want to share my passion for preserves with like minded people, make small batches of tasty and individual jams, chutneys, mustards etc, so have come up with the idea of recruiting up to twelve people. I had thought of selling through a local outlet, but would prefer to make small batches, with jars priced reasonably, without another person adding a further component to the pricing. I've opened a new blog: Mrs Mace Preserves, and have an different email specific to that topic, so do have a peep..and if you are interested, or know anyone who may, please get in touch.

New Bakery Opens in Kenilworth

Crustum opened recently in Kenilworth. I happened to be cycling past, having heard about this new venture, and with all my interest in things yeasty, called in.



Nick is a charming person, and our paths had crossed before. I was delighted to find that he is using Shipton Mill flour. I used to visit the mill when I lived in Wiltshire, and bought my sacks from there. Their range of flours is top quality. I've tried Nick's Monkey Bread and also his Sour Dough, both excellent





Its great to have an Independent Craft Baker with whom I can chat.



Crustum is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.





Whilst we were chatting, I mentioned my love of things doughy, and have been invited to go and bake with him...also I mentioned my passion for preserves, and have been invited to sell my produce there. These past few weeks, I've been researching this proposition, have contacted the Local Authority, and am working on this project....so watch this space!





Sorry Nick, although I am recommending you to all and sundry, I love baking too much not to continue at home....

Pineapple Chutney

In and around Kenilworth, I've noticed the best and cheapest pineapples I can remember. So about six weeks ago, I looked through all my notes to find a recipe for preserving pineapples. Except for some beetroot chutney, the chutney stash was non existent, so I went ahead and the result is delicious.

The chutney is golden speckled through with whole mustard grains, and delicious with curries, cold meats, and in this hot weather, a slice of nicely toasted spelt bread, with goats cheese and pickle with large side salad has made a nice meal. Usually I start with some freshly made soup. With a fresh bunch of watercress from the market I add courgettes, peas etc, and Mr S thinks he is getting watercress soup, and I do not mention the courgettes!

Golden Pineapple Chutney

1 Medium Pineapple
500g cooking apple
250ml water
350ml organic cider vinegar
300g white sugar
1tsp each of black and white mustard seeds
1 tsp salt
2tsp caraway or fennel seeds

Peel the pineapple and chop into small pieces the size you want them to be in the chutney, as they retain the size and shape. Peel, core and chop up the apple. Add the fruit to a large pan, with the water, and simmer gently till soft.

Add the vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, and salt and simmer, stirring frequently for about 1 hr, until thick. If you like your chutney hot you can add some finely sliced green chili before potting. Add the caraway seeds which you have just 'roasted' quickly in a pan. Ladle into hot sterilized jars and seal.

On our way to Stratford on Saturday I popped a copy of this recipe into Jenny's, and realised that several other people had asked for it, and also since it is written on a card, which I may loose, and this is a firm favourite with Mr S....I needed a place where I would find it easily...here!

When I was in Stratford, I popped into Lakeland to get some new jam jar lids, and was disappointed to find they do just one size. Being a little bit of a recycler, I often ask people for jars, and there are many now which are not the old 1lb size....but I have found a wonderful on line specialist: the Jam Jar Shop....and am very tempted to get a preserving pan too. At the moment I use my Stainless Steel Pressure cooker bottom. I shall think on this, sleep on this, and if in a few weeks time, I have not found one in one of the many local charity shops, then perhaps it will be a present to myself time.......