Some ribbons for wrapping gifts. They look so pretty even as a jumble in the box. It doesn’t take much to please me!
Talking of pleasing me … Sometimes when I can’t sleep I like to invent new recipes. Occasionally, I find it stimulating to read a cookbook to stir my imagination and then make my own recipes or tweak one from a book.
The other night I was looking through “Let’s Preserve It” by Beryl Wood, apparently a favourite of Nigella’s, and I noticed an intriguing recipe for date and banana chutney. I thought that sounded a bit different and exotic. A couple of ingredients didn’t appeal to me so I came up with alternatives and decided to have a go.
I was so pleased with the result. A spicy, sweet chutney that’s very good. Although it’s recommended to keep chutney for a while to develop the flavour I couldn’t resist tasting it. I tried it with lamb and it was a delicious combination. I’m sure it would be really good with chicken. Here is my version.
Date and Banana Chutney 225g Dates 6 Bananas 450g Onions 285ml Malt Vinegar Half a tin of Golden Syrup, approx 225g 4 or 5 lumps of Stem Ginger 1 teaspoon Chilli Powder Wash and rinse 4 jars and place in the oven on a low setting to dry and keep warm until needed. Put lids to dry somewhere warm. Stone and chop dates,peel and chop onions, peel and slice bananas. Simmer them in a pan with the vinegar for about 10 minutes. Chop ginger into small pieces. Add syrup, ginger and chilli powder and cook until thickened and light brown, stirring from time to time. While it cooks prepare a surface for the jars. I use a wooden chopping board covered with newspaper or kitchen paper. This prevents the hot jars from touching a cold surface which would crack them. While still hot ladle into warm jars and tighten lids.
The bananas I used were just ripe except for one which was a bit under ripe. Seemed to work alright. The ginger was from a jar of my home preserved but bought ginger is just the same.
If you make jam and chutney it helps to have a funnel which just fits into the neck of the jars. It keeps the jars clean and saves a sticky mess which might go mouldy if left on.
Sometime soon I’m going to try to candy some angelica. I have a lovely plant in the garden which is mature enough now and it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. Will post it on my blog when I do it.
The garden is looking a bit too green. Lots of bulb leaves without flowers but they have to be left to feed the bulbs for next year. The rain is encouraging the weeds to grow too. Been a bit wet so I’ve mostly been in the greenhouse and tunnels but still finding lovely things to photograph.
Even in the rain there’s beauty in a garden. The drops of water on flowers and leaves are lovely to see.
The hawthorn blossom is in bloom and smells so nice. If you look closely at the flowers you can see their delicate beauty. The stamens have lovely pink tips.
The sky has been fantastic. Fabulous clouds and a wonderful sunset.
If you look closely you can see the birds going home to roost.
I haven’t finished my latest painting yet. A lot of detail in this one and I need to paint carefully. I don’t like a messy picture. It should be ready next time I post so I will share it with you then.
Bye for now. Continue to stay safe. With you again soon.
Living a contented creative life. 
Thank you for your post, Freda. Good news! ….I made your banana loaf and it was delicious, just as you said, the texture is really good. I put a few walnuts in as well as the cranberries and that worked well.
Spring weather is still very disappointing up here, but we soldier on.
Maggie
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Glad you like the banana loaf. I’m eager to share my discoveries but don’t have a lot of feedback. Always good to hear someone has tried them. Our weather here in Cheshire is awful too. Pouring with rain today and so much to do in the garden. Mustn’t let it get us down but keep thinking it will be a short summer. Never mind. I will find lots to do indoors. Finished my painting today. Will post it next time.x
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