Cooking With Richard

A medlar (similar to an apple or a quince) that I borrowed from Hatfield House today. These have to be rotted down slightly (a process called bletting) before we can eat them, and then they are supposed to taste of apple sauce and cinnamon.

Snails might have a homing instinct …

Better not “home” here, coz I’m going to eat you.

These ones are headed for the freezer …

We went to the Dacorum Steam Rally again on Sunday.

Previously …

Thanks Netherbury and P for all these lovely cherries.

We stoned the whole lot of them. It took 1 hour with both of us:

The gammon recipe was one by Nigella which was pretty tasty, particularly cold the next day:

Recipe for gammon, and for swede.

Some broad beans from the garden:

Nom nom …

Previously …

Previously and previously.

Potted shrimp and potted mackerel.

This was very simple to make:

1. Take a whole pack of butter [makes two ramekins as shown], and melt on a low heat. Add garlic.
2. Grill the fish, or use a pre-cooked or smoked fish.
3. Clarify the butter (filter out all the “bits” in it).
4. Then put the clarified butter back on the heat and add chilli / cayenne pepper / paprika / thyme / rosemary to taste.
5. Put the fish into the ramekins and cover with the hot butterfat.
6. Place in the fridge overnight.

You can “pot” just about any meat or fish.

It’s a baby blackbird, I think. He was a bit shaken up for a few minutes, but eventually flew away, so I think he’ll be OK.

The swedes in the garden have been a great success:

… but the potatoes, oh dear:

I’m wondering if they will eat the umeboshi in the middle …

Previously …

Me finishing off six kumamoto oysters from Neptune Oyster in Boston (recommended!)

We are growing the cayenne variety of chilli peppers. Here is my scientific test of the first pepper from this season.

Some random photos from Cholesbury today …

versus

(More …)

This is my bathroom, not your house!

Previously …

Strange old day at the “village day”.

Wonder what they’re running away from …?

Some honey from a decent bloke on Langley Hill whom I suspect is called Michael:

It is said that local honey is good for hayfever, although a study at U. Connecticut found no evidence for this.

It’s been a great day in the garden. Look, I mowed the lawn!