Green tropical pear jam

 It's summertime in Northern New South Wales and we have tropical pear trees dripping with fruit.  I might have been a little early harvesting but, I was on a mission to beat my competitors (possums, birds, fruit bats just to name a few). Hence, I needed to convert these rock hard, tough skin pears into something edible.

The jam may have turned out a little thick and sticky so will rename jam to be pear compote, a cheeseboard accompaniment.

I have a dear friend "Fay" who keeps me supplied with clean small jars (labels expertly removed), ready to have them refilled and delivered with something delicious inside.

Ingredients

About 6 or more green tropical pears, peeled and diced

400d white sugar

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger or cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Method

Macerate

Place diced pears, sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl

Cover and rest 4 hours or overnight in fridge

Next morning, tip everything into deep jam pan, bring to a boil, gently stirring until sugar dissolves

Increase heat and boil for 30 to 45 minutes stirring often

Check to see if set

Stir in spices and vanilla

Remove from heat

Ladle into sterilised jars

Seal whilst hot

Enjoy

Mamma Marmalade

Sharing memories and chocolate cake

Our world at the moment could benefit from more kindness. Mamma Marmalade kindly gifted me a hamper of goodies including her Beloved Mother's Chocolate cake recipe This recipe is very special to her family because it was a regular favourite when her Grandchildren visited.  I was touched to receive this gift and made it with my own Grandchildren in loving memory of a very special and generous woman I I hope you enjoy making and enjoying - recipes shared are so very special .....  Love.

Super Easy Chocolate cake 

1  1/3 cups plain flour

1 teaspoon Bicarbonate Soda

1 cup Cocoa powder

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup buttermilk   OR

OR 1/3 cup milk, 2/3 cup greek yoghurt 

2 eggs beaten

125 gram butter, melted and cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

My add ins ... handful sultanas or chocbits

Method

Preheat oven 180 C   or  170C fanforced

Prepare 6cm deep, 20cm cake tin

Sift flour, bicarb and cocoa powder into large mixing bowl

Stir in sugar

Combine the buttermilk,  eggs and cooled butter then add to the dry ingredients 

Bake 40 to 45 minutes and allow to cool

ALSO

makes 12 mini muffins  , bake 11 minutes 

AND   13 muffins,   bake 19 -20  minutes 

OPTIONAL 

When cake has cooled…  CHOCOLATE  ICING

1  1/3 cups sifted icing sugar

1  1/2  tablespoons cocoa powder

Mixed with 20 gram softened butter 

Decorate with 125 gram blueberries