The British tea scene would not be where it is today without Homemade Strawberry Jam. What other condiment would have had the audacity to fill the sandwiches, sponges and scones at the same picnic? And, what’s more, do it up and down the country, over and over again? On top of all that, it’s more frugal and far easier than you might think.
Before we enter the blog proper, I feel it is important to make a couple of excuses. Firstly, I’m sorry that there have been no new recipe posts in the past week or so, but what I shall call a ‘negative life event’ took place and I haven’t found the time. However, we shan’t go any further into that since I’m not, as you may know, much of a sharer – I simply don’t feel the need. Secondly, this was supposed to be a post regarding a certain rhubarb, strawberry and orange compote. Unfortunately, the fates took time to collude against any honourable intentions I may have held and the photographing of the intended dessert fell flat on its face. I’m extremely glad to be back and I hope to bring you news of my recipe for individual rhubarb and custard galettes as soon as possible.
Since it’s coming to the end of the rhubarb season, I thought it best to give you lot a couple of recipes which include this fabulous vegetable. However, I’ve not always considered it fabulous; in my younger days it was looked upon, by me, as a most contemptible ingredient. To be fair, it is easy to see why, since rhubarb does have an inherently bitter component to its flavour; which is why it’s always cooked with sugar. Luckily, as I’ve grown older my tastes have come to love the tang which accompanies fresh, seasonal rhubarb. The less said about forced rhubarb, the better.
Describing an item of food as ‘de-constructed’ is a rather strange thing to do. In my eyes, prefixing something with ‘de-‘ suggests that it was constructed in the first place. Yet, if that were the case, the entire world of food bloggery would be a far messier place. Still, since ‘deconstructed’ is an accepted term in these parts it shan’t be done away with. Instead, let my protestation regarding its use be officially and permanently recorded. Besides, despite all of this pernickety prosing on the suitability of a single word, it does produce a rather stunning dessert.