foraging for Sloes to make our Sloe Gin

So its that time of year where we must venture out in the beautiful Autumn sunshine and forage for some sloes to make our must have hip flask drink - Sloe Gin.

This year we decided to share the love - a jar for us, a jar for my dad and a jar for friends (a homemade house warming gift)

Its very straight forward... pick a bunch of Sloe berries add sugar and gin and your done.

the berries 

our harvest - a little over board we latter find out, a whole bowl and half too many 

prick the berries with a needle several times - this takes a while i have since read on the world wide web that you can freeze the berries and smash them this would be a lot quicker but some how feels like a cheat to me

once all in the jar shake to mix

the final product - just got to wait 4-8 weeks with a little turning and shaking in between 

Another new opening for London West End

Opened only 1 week ago "Fornata" on Kingly Street is yet another cool counter top relaxed dinning experience.

Lovely food excellent service and not too pricey but a little. I have a few little images below for you - go check it out for yourself - its well worth it.

Duck Soup new kid on the block in soho

amazing - tomato with soggy bread, basil, garlic and chunks of parmesan 

perfectly cooked lamb perfectly seasoned very very good but no greens?? 

glad i didnt order this not my bag. and i latter noticed missing a langoustine also the artichoke was a great touch in theory sadly not in practice best left alone in my opinion  

great counter top dining - tiny venue and we saw two men lunching on their own. which is always a good sign 

wine list written on white titles quite cool - its all very cool but possibly a bit try hard cool ??

This place only opened its doors two weeks ago is is the brain child of some guys that worked at Hicks.

Good job I say, keep up the good work.

few tiny gripes - looks like they spent minimal money (which I think is the look they are going for) even down to loads of spider plants everywhere and unfinished looking flooring and brick work - it seems to be popping up everywhere at the moment. Any way sorry, my point is its all been done on the cheap but its far from cheap 14 quid for 4 lamb chops! I ask you, really...

We sat at 1 of the 3 tables along the wall - note to all, DONT. My friend thinks they should have an actual note posted on arrival 'fatties be advised the tables are NOT made for you, we suggest you sit at the bar'.
Needless to say they are rather snug and not ideal if you are not of a slender frame

They seem to have a daily menu which I think is fab! hand written and kept on a meat hook??? make of that what you will.

http://ducksoupsoho.tumblr.com/

Blackberry Jam

Yesterday my dad and i went foraging for blackberries, first in the garden then in the near by hedge rows. We managed to pick a kilo of them! I have been thinking/wanting to make blackberry jam all summer as there has been such an abundance of them. So on possibly the hottest day of the year i did!


Its very simple... however i didnt have pectin which as far as i understand gives the jam a firmer finish and longer life so i guess mine is more of a compote?

Any who - i went to Tesco to buy some of those lovely old jars but they had none so ended up buy Tesco value jam  just for the jars.

Recipe ....


1kg sugar
1kg blackberries
1 pinch salt
2 table spoons lemon


bring to the boil for 20mins stir a lot!

pour in to jars and leave in a sink of cool water


Thats it!

Now as far as i understand this jam needs to be eaten within a week of opening and kept in the fridge.

Also this recipe made 4 and a bit jars of jam.

And the verdict ....
very runny but very tasty!