How to make strawberry jam using gooseberries as a setting agent

It's strawberry season

and it's gooseberry season too so here's another recipe given to us by one of our customer's this time it's making strawberry jam using gooseberries to help it set rather than commercially produced pectin. The gooseberries do the trick brilliantly, we can testify to that as Christine gave us a rather lovely jar of this jam to try for ourselves and it was scrumptious!

How to make strawberry jam using gooseberries as a setting agent

2 1/2 lbs strawberries
1/2 lb gooseberries
2lbs granulated sugar
Juice of 1 lemon

Cook gooseberries until soft.
Add the strawberries and slowly bring to the boil.
Add sugar and lemon juice stirring until all the sugar dissolves.
Boil rapidly for about 10 minutes until setting point has been reached. (220F)
Allow to stand for 30 minutes then stir to disperse fruit evenly.
Jar.

We have locally grown strawberries and gooseberries for sale in our farm shop on Redmoor Lane, Wisbech and we're open 7 days a week 10-4.


The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Begdale 
Elm
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN
Telephone: 07527 046184
 Website: theorchardtearoom.co.uk Twitter: @OrchardTeaRoom Facebook: The Orchard Tea Room

2015 Elm and Friday Bridge Scarecrow Competition at The Orchard Tea Room

On Saturday the Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop took part in the second annual Elm & Friday Bridge Scarecrow Competition. Our entry comprised of scarecrows made by some of the little people who regularly visit the tea room.

Baby Scarecrow

Little Girl Scarecrow

Father Scarecrow

Mother Scarecrow

Pet Cat Scarecrow

The scarecrows all gathered around our orchard table for a tea break, because even scarecrows need a tea break!

But wait a minute it looks like another scarecrow not made by the children has joined the group. Who could it be?

I expect regular visitors to The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop have guessed the identity of the extra scarecrow. That's right it's

JIM

Elm & Friday Bridge Scarecrow Competition Sat 13th June helping Billy Lee "Get back on his own two feet"

On Saturday 13th June the villagers of Elm and Friday Bridge will be having yard sales and displaying scarecrows in their gardens all in aid of charity. This year funds raised will be donated to the Billy Lee "Back on my own2feet" fund. Twenty year old Billy has had to have a leg and half hip amputation due to a rare form of bone cancer, the NHS are unable to fund a prosthetic limb of this kind but they are available privately. The initial cost of the "Helix 3D" leg is £70,000.

The Orchard Tea Room and Farm Shop is actually in Begdale Elm so we're going to be taking part in the scarecrow competition. Some of our junior guests have been very busy making our scarecrows for the Elm and Friday Bridge Scarecrow Competition which we will be displaying on Saturday 13th June. It would be great if you'd come along and see the children's handy work we'll be open 10-4.

The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Begdale 
Elm
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN
Telephone: 07527 046184
 Website: theorchardtearoom.co.uk Twitter: @OrchardTeaRoom Facebook: The Orchard Tea Room

Rhubard and Orange Chutney

I love it when customer's share their Family recipes with me. Here's a seasonal one from Lionel ~

RHUBARB AND ORANGE CHUTNEY
2 Oranges,1 Kg Prepared Rhubarb,3 Onions, Skinned and chopped,900 ml Malt Vinegar,900 gms Demerara Sugar450 gms Raisins,1 tbsp Mustard Seed1 tbsp Peppercorns1 tsp Allspice.
Squeeze juice from Oranges and finely shred peel. Place in a large preserving pan with the Rhubard, Onions, Vinegar, Sugar & Raisins. Tie the spices in a piace of muslin, and add ot the ingredients in the pan. Bring to the boil and simmer until thick and pulpy - about 1&half hours. Remove bag, pot and cover.
Makes about 3.6 kg, ready in about 3 weeks.

Fun Dog Show Saturday 4th July 2015 at The Orchard Tea Room Wisbech

The Sunshine Centre for Therapeutic Riding CIC (reg. no. 8189896) Dog Show

Saturday 4th July

The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop

Redmoor Lane

Begdale

Elm

WISBECH

Cambs

PE14 0RN

Open 10am Judging starts 11am

Class 1 Puppy
Class 2 Best Bitch 14" and under
Class 3 Best Bitch over 14"
Class 4 Best Dog 14" and under
Class 5 best Dog over 14"
Class 6 Veterans award split best / small / best large breeds
Class 7 Heinz 57 open to cross breeds only
Class 8 terrier open to pure bred and pedigree breeds
Class 9 Working Terrier open to both x bred and pure breeds ~ sponsored by PD Carpentry
Class 10 Gun Dogs
Class 11 Utility
Class 12 Toy
Class 13 Pastoral
Class 14 Working
Class 15 Companion dogs
Class 16 Hounds
Class 17 Prettiest Bitch
Class 18 Most Handsome Dog
Class 19 Best mover
Class 20 Dog the judge would most like to take home
Class 21 Best Junior Handler awards for handler 10 years and under and over 10 to 16 years old

Break for Raffle and to prepare for Fancy Dress

Class 22 Fancy Dress
Class 23 Championship ~ Award Best in Show, Veteran and Puppy

Enquiries by text please to Mel on 07717 553 778

Stall holders welcome to pre-book please text 07717 553 778 for full details.

Sometime in apple country you may see

Sometime in apple country you may see
A ghostly orchard standing all in white,
Aisles of white trees, white branches, in the green,
On some still day when the year hangs between
Winter and spring, and heaven is full of light.
                                                                         "The Land" Vita Sackville West

Our orchard is in full blossom, you're welcome to visit, we're open daily from 10am to 4pm.

The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN

Telephone: 07527 046184

 Website: theorchardtearoom.co.uk Twitter: @OrchardTeaRoom Facebook: The Orchard Tea Room

Mothers Day at The Orchard Tea Room Wisbech

We've got lots of treats for Mum this Mothering Sunday at The Orchard Tea Room Wisbech:

Obviously there will be cake and at £2.00 a slice you don't have to wait for Mother's Day to treat your Mother, a pot of tea and a slice of cake for Mum will cost you £3.20.

Does she like cream? A cream tea, that's a freshly baked scone with jam and cream plus a pot of tea, is £3.95.

If your Mother prefers savouries we have lots that she will enjoy, sandwiches from £3.50 served with crisps and a salad garnish, jacket potatoes, soup, pork pie or cheese platters ...

And what about a traditional afternoon tea; a selection of dainty sandwiches, cakes, scone with cream and jam all served on an old fashioned three tier cake stand plus unlimited tea for £12.95

Or maybe just treat your Mother to the best coffee this side of Venice


We're open daily 10-4 so you don't have to wait until Mothering Sunday to treat your Mother, or yourself...

The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN

Telephone: 07527 046184

 Website: theorchardtearoom.co.uk Twitter: @OrchardTeaRoom Facebook: The Orchard Tea Room