It’s Showtime!

As summer gets up a little later each morning, she still bring a smile to our faces and a sense of celebration as we show just how much we’ve enjoyed her stay.

Whilst there are many events and festivals to delight and entertain over the warmer months, there will always be a place in my heart for the shows that put the good old outdoors centre stage.

Last weekend, I was delighted to have been invited to the Kew Horticultural Show, and whilst the marquee was full to bursting with every fruit and vegetable that could possibly have been grown in London, along with heaving tables of homemade cakes and bakes, I was ‘Judging the Jars’ and sampling every homemade jam, chutney, marmalade and pickle. Many were absolutely delightful – who would have thought to put lavender in a blueberry jam? but my favourite pot on the table was this lemon curd. ‘What was so special?’ asked my husband that afternoon, and I started to describe the perfect balance of sweet verses tang and emphasised how smooth and creamy it was. ‘I bet they bought it from a supermarket and peeled the labels off the jar…’ the skeptic continued. Oh no, I protested – you can’t get it that good from a shop…

Here you go, the very jar itself – a very homemade lemon curd that won itself first prize!

Gardener’s World Live

This weekend, we’re off to join the team again at Gardener’s World Live – Autumn at Audley End House from Friday 30th Aug – Sun 1st Sep, we had a fabulous time last year and are looking forward to encouraging visitors to grow more food, preserve it safely and celebrate how this reduces our impact on the envionment.

I’ll be on the Get Growing Stage each day with TV Chef Marcus Bean = talking about fermenting and then chatting to the magazine team in the Subscribers Lounge in an interview that focussing on getting out in the garden and growing your own food.

If you live in Essex/East Anglia or simply fancy a lovely day out (tickets to the show include visiting the English Heritage House and Gardens at Audley End) – do come and say hello!

Coming up at Hen Corner:

September

• Making New Cheeses – Wednesday 4th
• Full Day Making Sourdough – Tuesday 10th
• Introduction to Making Bread – Thursday 12th
• Introduction To Making Cheese – Wednesday 18th

October

• Introduction to Making Pasta – Wednesday 9th
• Introduction to Scandinavian Baking – Tuesday 15th
• Full Day Making Sourdough – Thursday 17th
• Cheese Together (Families) – Wednesday 30th

Don’t forget – if you’ve been on a course before, email for your 20% discount!

Other news:

• I picked 10kg of Greengages from the allotment and they are safely stored away from the squirrels in the freezer
• The grapes are looking amazing, nearly sweet enough to eat
• Our famous Apple and Chilli Jelly was the star of another photoshoot this week

Jobs for the week:

• Get the last of the honey in and start preparing the bees for winter
• Keep watering at the allotment
• Chop some apples to soak for another batch of fruit wine

Have you gathered in any harvests this month, home grown or foraged?

Make sure you store it well to enjoy in weeks to come.

Sara