I decided in the end to boil the vinegar before pouring it over the onions, to soften them a bit (and to help with sterilization). This was just one kilo of onions, I still have another kilo to do, which I may give as some Christmas presents, as part of a hamper. Need some more pickling vinegar first though. When they have cooled I will put some labels on and pop them in my store cupboard until they are ready to use, 6 to 8 weeks. Delicious.
This morning I also gave my Christmas cake its weekly feed. I have no brandy, and don't feel inclined to buy another bottle unless I absolutely must. I do have some rum however, and so used a tablespoon of that. Has anyone ever used rum to feed a cake before? Or any of you horrified at the thought? Wouldn't want to ruin it. I have some vodka too, but not sure about that.
I fed it from the bottom this time and will store it upside down this week so that the juice can settle in the other direction.
My cauliflower cheese was gorgeous for dinner yesterday. Whenever I make a cauliflower cheese I wonder why I don't do it more often, such a lovely warm and comforting dish. Had it wish some kale, some chicken from the freezer and a miserable looking potato I found in the fridge, which was transformed by a bit of chopping and oil.
Watched Nigella shimmy around her kitchen on tv last night, made me laugh after my post last week. Still, she immaculately made a nice pasta with courgettes and spring onions. Her roast chicken looked good too, but ice-cream in a brioche sandwich? really? I prefer Nigel Slater as I find his approach of modifying recipes and encouraging you to change whatever you want is refreshing, so am looking forward to his new series in a couple of weeks. He drifts around the kitchen making things up rather than shimmying.
It is still cold here and I am still wrapped up warm, but i am feeling cosy. I am off to France at the end of the week, for my final performance of this particular opera, glad to see the back of it to be honest.
Yes Rum is good! You want to keep the moisture high and the flavour rich, so any liquor is good for that. Last year I used Cassis (during baking and feeding) which was lovely and the year before that, Iceland had some £3.99 fortified Dark Velvet wine that I used. I tried it as it said it was chocolatey but it wasn't great for drinking. I used double the amount in the cake and it was one of the best I've made. This year I felt very traditional with good ole Brandy. P x
ReplyDeleteThank you, nice to know I am not ruining it. I bet the cherry brandy I made would be lovely to use, but that won't be ready until December which is a shame. Will continue with the rum for now.
DeleteThe St Lucian and probably Carribbean in general way to make fruitcake is to soak the fruit in dark rum before you make the cake, so I'm sure what you're doing will be fine. The first time I saw fruit being soaked like this, I opened the box and the aroma practically leapt out and bit me; delicious!
ReplyDeleteI've made my piccalilli which has been packed away ready for Christmas. I too am thinking of doing hampers for friends and will do my green tomato chutney, and vegetable chutney soon. I may take a leaf out of your book and do some shallots.
ReplyDeleteFeed it with whatever you have got. I bought a small bottle of brandy as I needed it for other things but in the past have used, rum, sherry, port, vodka, Cointreau and Grand Marnier for example. We have very little alcohol in the house usually and these are what we have been given over the years (and I mean years). I smell it first before using it. Also might add some of the remains of my sloe vodka from last year!
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas cake looks delish! Good luck on your performance! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Dan, have i missed a blog with the cake receipe on as i was thinking of making one myself.
ReplyDeleteRum sounds just as good to me and I agree Nigel Slater, absolute genius.
ReplyDeleteYour pickled onions look very appealing packed up in those jars,you're going to have some very lucky give recipients this Christmas. What else are you thinking of putting in the hampers? The year before last I gave some friends gift hampers stuffed with foodie treats and they said that it turned out to be like a Red Cross parcel to them as they both got flu and didn't leave the house for a week, just lived off the hamper instead!
ReplyDeleteThat looks yummy! How exciting. Can't wait to hear how wonderful they are. And that cake, wow. Nigella and Nigel have nothing on you! Nice job. The rum will be nice, don't worry.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been watching Nigella - she gives me the heeby jeebies - like you I much prefer Nigel - his food is so 'do-able'.
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