I've been making stuff in the kitchen

[ladylouise62]

I just bought (cheaply) a pile of small flip-top preserving jars, so thought that I should really 'christen' them. So I did some lemon curd (because I was about to buy some), some salt-preserved lemon (as I had lots of lemons from the big bag I got cheap in the market, and had always fancied trying this rather expensive but simple delicacy), and some preserved peppers (because i got a large bag of chilli-sized peppers in the market for 75p, and had never done this before).

I tried the curd and the peppers on some French bread, and they were very nice (even though I say so myself!). I have to wait a month or 2 to try the lemons though.

[WD-40]

Looks very tasty Louise.

[Catherine]

Good for you, Louise! It looks very professional!

When I was young, we had a largish orchard behind the house, and in it we grew cooking and eating apples, plums and pears.

Every year my mother prepared the plums and pears to be bottled in tall Kilner jars. There were a similar idea, with the glass stoppers sitting on top of the filled jars being sealed when a metal, collar-type top was screwed down tightly over it. That way, the bottled fruit lasted for many months, and the apples sat in rows on tidy tray-type drawers in the apple loft. I can still imagine the cidery smell which emanated from the loft.

[ladylouise62]

That's a lovely memory - there's something so comforting about storing your own food. Last year I planted quite a few berry bushes so should have quite a harvest by next year, and last autumn I discovered a purple eating-plum and a yellow cherry plum to add to an already discovered set of Damson trees and Sloe bushes. At the weekend I finished a bottle of Damson Brandy, and had Damson jam on a chocolate cake... and I forgot to mention, I also baked 2 types of cake and a rather interesting flourless peanut butter cookie.
I was busy

[dig deep]

Yes, would love to have a bite of it (all of them that is)

[dig deep]

While we talk making a cake (sorry for hijacking)

anyone know how to make an Amerikan Chocolate Cake ????

Fell in love with it but forgot to ask how to !

[Catherine]

Sorry, I can't help you personally, Crister.

Maybe an emergency jaunt to the US is required?

Unless, of course this would do instead!
Cooks.com - Recipe - American Chocolate Cake

Of course, it would be necessary for you to send each of us a sample so we could verify you'd done it properly!

[ladylouise62]

I am sure that it would survive being posted

[dig deep]

Well, looks good so I will give it a shot (and post results after) Thank´s for the link !!
If it is good then there will be nothing to post
and if it is not, then You don´t want it (even in the post)

Murphy´s Law section 10 part3

After reading I must ask ?? Oven heated to 350 degrees Is that F ? If it was C then iron would melt lol How much is that in Celsius ??

[dig deep]

GOOD
I made one (a first test) this weekend. The temp in the oven was set to 190C and 35 mins.

It was very good, sorry guys - there is nothing left for posting.

This cake was better and better by the day if You get the grip. So, today I had the last bit Yummy it was.


You should try it out !

[Catherine]

It's a pity we have to take your word for it - not a picture - not even a crumb!

Glad you enjoyed it - though apparently terrible things will happen to you if you eat some (without sharing any) several days running!