Honey Lemon Marmalade

Just stopping in to share something sweet from my Recipe Pile (yes, it really is a pile rather than a file these days!). 

I was searching for simple gifts for Christmas and this recipe looks perfect. 

It will be lovely in half-pint jars decorated with dried lemon slices and a sprig of lavender.

I may dress it up a bit for the holiday by using lavender infused sugar and infusing the honey with lemon balm or lemon verbena.  But, even plain, this is sure to be tasty on biscuits or scones ... which reminds me, I have a recipe somewhere in that pile for Lemon Verbena Sweet Biscuits ... I'll share that one with you when I find it!

 

Honey Lemon Marmalade

 

Makes 6 pints

8 cups chopped lemons (14 lemons)
2 cups honey
4 cups cane sugar
1 1/2 cups water
2 packets liquid pectin (6 ounces)

Sterilize your jars.

Combine lemons, honey, sugar and water together in non-reactive pot. Bring to a boil, reduce temperature and let simmer for 30 minutes.

Add pectin to the fruit and let it gently boil for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and fill jars. Apply lids and rings and process in a water bath for ten minutes. Let the marmalade sit overnight, to give the pectin time to fully activate.

Read more...

Scents of the Season (and a recipe)

I love this time of year.  Cool breezes, warm sweaters, a cup of hot tea or spiced cider; and I especially love the warm, spicy fragrances of autumn- apple pie with cinnamon and just a touch of cardamom, pumpkin bread, gingerbread muffins,  chicken stuffed with sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and garlic baking in the oven (or the crockpot) ... so many delicious herby smells coming from the kitchen to delight the senses. 

If baking isn’t your thing, warming up the senses with a spicy autumn fragrance can be as simple as simmering a couple of cinnamon sticks, a few cloves, and the peel from an orange in a pan of water on the stovetop.  It will create a welcoming scent to warm the hearts of all who enter your home.  For a treat that tastes as good as it smells, simmer those same items in apple cider. 

And since it is apple season, here is a very simple recipe that will make breakfast extra tasty:

Simple Apple Syrup

1 cup apple juice (I prefer organic, not from concentrate)

2 cups sugar (I use organic cane juice crystals)

Dash of cinnamon (to taste)

Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes.  Do not stir (I don’t know why- that’s just what my recipe card says!) 

Remove from heat and cool 15 minutes before serving. 

This is great with waffles or pancakes.

I’ll be sharing more of my favorite fall recipes in the coming days.  Please tell me your favorite scent of the season or share a recipe you like to make this time of year!

November Blessings

Read more...