Autumn is my favourite season; cool misty mornings warming up to bright afternoon sunshine. This week I have been contemplating my first year at University. I was near the University on my way to work this week. I experienced a huge wave of nostalgia; as I got off the bus. Something about the weather; the new freshers jostling for space on the buses; took me back 27 years to my Fresher's Week.
I had already started making pies and crumbles - autumn puddings - a couple of weeks ago; when the weather was less warm. Our apple tree has provided us with the sweetest apples ever; our blackberries have been abundant. I was trying to calculate how many raspberries I have picked this year and I think it is probably well over 4 kilos. I have run out of jars for jams; no room in the freezer for anymore fruit or sorbet; so I made raspberry cordial.
It was a Good Housekeeping recipe - very simple; 400 g raspberries; 400g sugar 300 mls of water and a lemon. Boil and the simmer for 5 mins - strain through a sieve and you have a rich red cordial; which absolutely captured the fragrance of summer.
Our veg box has also started echoing the change of season. We had swede; and beetroot this week. The children asked for stew - although it seemed an odd thing to be making during such a hot week. I was short of time; so I roasted the carrots; beetroot and swede; made a Hungarian goulash style tomato sauce. (Paprika and fennel for flavour) Topped the tomatoes with simple dumplings and fried up some curly Kale to go on the side. All that was lacking was some pickled cabbage or gherkins!
Our lovely cat is making herself at home - she has discovered lots of tiny spaces around our house that we didn't know existed. She is looking out of the windows longingly - I think she will enjoy being able to go outside in a week or two.
This is her in her favourite place - the top of the wardrobe
