Is life too short to make relish and take a photo of it? Certainly not.
Now before we go any further, it has come to my attention that you may not think of this as relish, you may be thinking wholeheartedly that this is salsa. Be it as you will. This to me has always been relish.
And I do believe that the mere mentioning of the pottering about and filling of jars in the kitchen with the busy lives that we all lead, could lead you to think I am a bit off my rocker.
But contrary to the opinion that we no longer have any time for these domesticities, a quiet half an hour in the kitchen on a Saturday arvo, chopping and stirring sometimes is just what I need to take a break from all that busy, headless chicken stuff. Plus further there is some sorta self-indulgent satisfaction in a stash of homemade jars.
And even more decadent is that these little jars of red glory tick the BC Go To Recipe requirements…meaning firstly that they make you *look like you made a lot of effort when in truth you did a bit of chopping and threw around a few herbs, secondly this use regular ingredients that more often than not you already have and thirdly this is no harder than slinging things in a pan and stirring.
I have to say I love any kind of little homemade jar…it just says home and safe and comfort to me and the first time I made this, back in England, with a glut of tomatoes fresh from the garden I had wound myself up into a positively frazzled frenzy of all things relish. Envisioning a million and one different spices, ingredients from far flung lands and stressing over sterilizing the jars and setting…
I believe the recipe was from one of those 70′s type books…with a name such as ‘Jams & Pickles’ and I geared myself up for hours of complicated formulas.
What ensued was a mind-numbingly comforting and very short half an hour of chopping and mixing.
I mean even the cooking part you just throw it all together in the pan and turn the heat on full…it really couldn’t get much easier.
Which leads me to here and this recipe…I have to say this is rather more a guideline of what I have done over the years I have tinkered around in the kitchen pretending I am a housewife from the 50s with an allotment full of produce…you can add any number of flavours to the base recipe and I haven’t yet found any kind of herb growing in my garden that hasn’t worked or any spice that I’ve thrown in on a whim that hasn’t made it taste better.
So, if you find yourself, as I did recently, with a yearning for the time alone in the kitchen with the BBC on the radio, for a calm afternoon of domestic chopping and stirring then get to it and make yourself a pot of BC Go To Relish…
Anyway that’s it from me, thanks for all the feedback you’ve all been sending me on the BC Go To recipes, it seems that in particular the BC Muffins and the Green Bean Casserole have been huge successes…oh & if you would like to join in our Go To Talk on Facebook go here…
1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes (more or less as you like & optional)
1/4 tsp mustard seeds (optional)
3 cloves (optional)
Put everything into a pan and stir. Season to taste and simmer for 30 mins until consistency is like jam (you may have to turn it up to achieve this or leave it on for longer). Spoon into sterilised jar (I do this by standing them in the oven for 10 mins), allow to cool and transfer to fridge. Will keep for 3 weeks or so (tho I have to say it probably won’t be around that long)
*notes: you can add more sugar for a much sweeter chutney flavour…tho I prefer this not too sweet
add more chilli if you like to rock it
allspice is a great addition
**slap it on your fave bbq meat or delish served with a slab of Cheddar
These are some of my fave pictures of yours sweet Sarah;-) You often joke about you not being fancy in the kitchen BUT gurl, you are the bestest. I so look forward to your posts, we all do!!!
WOOHOO for salsa, relish, whatever that delish element in that little jar is, it looks YUMMO~~
Ok as someone who also likes to “pretend” to be domesticated…. what herbs do you normally thrown in as I’m thinking this would be nice on bbq sausages…. its good with cheddar?? – but is it as good as branston pickles??? Which is my all time favourite sandwich!!! – Have you bought the iPad yet – did you go into the city on the ferry as I suggested?? – probably not if you are still in your pyjamas lol
Hey Sarah! Thank you for the recipe!!! This is def relish. Sounds yummy and I’m going to try it, I have a real weakness for tomatoes. Thanks again, xoxo tami
Just fabulous! Makes me yearn for midsummer here in the states, about the time people start groaning, “please, not another tomato”… I love love love them, and this recipe looks fab. Have you ever done it with cilantro and garlic?
My favourite way to have tomatoes at the moment- take small cherry tomatoes/baby romas or even better the mini truss tomatoes- leave whole or cut in half (depending on the texture you’re after)- I’d leave the truss ones whole and on the vine, any others I’d halve. Pop them on a tray, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle some salt then add a very decent glug of balsamic vinegar. Put the tray into a hot oven and cook till caramelized, well colapsed and the balsamic has turned into delicious sweet sticky yum! So good on burgers, steak sandwiches or BBQed meats.
I will have to try this one as it looks easier than my relish. I am down to my very last jar and am now thinking tomatoes are going to be too expensive to make preserves for a long time! I like to buy a box when they are cheap and make stacks of tomato relish and tomato sauce- unfortunately because everyone loves them they don’t last long!
I am so trying this recipe….I love relish, my nan used to make it all the time.
Gorgeous photos as usual that leave me watering at the mouth
Thanks for sharing
x
Sarah, I’m addicted to relishes at the moment, just love cooking a budget priced beef roast in my Tagine, then cutting it up for Steak Sanwhiches Unless I find Relish at Fete’s, I tend to buy Supermarket brands, the fancy so called Gourmet Shop ones are way outside my price range, I’ve always been a little reluctant to making my own, but your Recipe sounds so Straight forward, I’m going to give it a try
I do love it when I’m given a bottle of home made relish, but have never made it myself. Until now : ) Lovely photos and styling in this post. Perfect. Looking forward to linking up with you tomorrow, I’m a big fan of embracing all the little things in life.
I just discovered your blog & loved it. I’m just new into blogging & have just finished off my own blog on fashion & interior design.
scrapbook-melissah.blogspot.com
I had a lot of fun putting it together. I would love your feedback on it if you’ve got a spare minute.
Cheers
Melissah
Relish? Salsa? It looks amazing whatever you want to call it. I love your photos and your blog. So fresh and clean and making me with for warmer weather. Thank you for sharing this! Have a wonderful day, Candace
I made something similar a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to use up my fresh tomatos. It was so good! I just ate it as is……then I threw it on top of a salad. LOVELY!!
I love quiet domestications in the kitchen. This is why most of our grandmothers were NOT in therapy!!
It looks so lovely. Too bad tomatoes are not really in season in Europe right now, I suppose it would be better with “summer tomatoes” than from a greenhouse. I will definitely save it.
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
Beach Cottage ladies, we have some vintage linen and some wood/twig washed up on the beach today here in Beach Cottage Land….don’t say I don’t keep you entertained now will you . Come on in. So, yep I have posted about colanders on this blog, about things sourced from the side of the road, about [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
These are some of my fave pictures of yours sweet Sarah;-) You often joke about you not being fancy in the kitchen BUT gurl, you are the bestest. I so look forward to your posts, we all do!!!
WOOHOO for salsa, relish, whatever that delish element in that little jar is, it looks YUMMO~~
**smiles**
Looks delicious! Those 70′s cookbooks are some of my favorites
those pictures are fabulous!!! they almost transport me to summertime:)
Mmm even though it’s the dead of winter here, you’ve got me longing for a juicy burger and some of your tomato relish! Roll on Summer! Lx
I love your photos; they are AWESOME!
Ok as someone who also likes to “pretend” to be domesticated…. what herbs do you normally thrown in as I’m thinking this would be nice on bbq sausages…. its good with cheddar?? – but is it as good as branston pickles??? Which is my all time favourite sandwich!!! – Have you bought the iPad yet – did you go into the city on the ferry as I suggested?? – probably not if you are still in your pyjamas lol
Absolutely nothing better than homemade relish/salsa ! I love it on eggs….toasted french bread with some fresh mozarella you name it !
Hey Sarah! Thank you for the recipe!!! This is def relish. Sounds yummy and I’m going to try it, I have a real weakness for tomatoes. Thanks again, xoxo tami
Just fabulous! Makes me yearn for midsummer here in the states, about the time people start groaning, “please, not another tomato”… I love love love them, and this recipe looks fab. Have you ever done it with cilantro and garlic?
Chutney?
Anyway yummy whatever the name!
My favourite way to have tomatoes at the moment- take small cherry tomatoes/baby romas or even better the mini truss tomatoes- leave whole or cut in half (depending on the texture you’re after)- I’d leave the truss ones whole and on the vine, any others I’d halve. Pop them on a tray, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle some salt then add a very decent glug of balsamic vinegar. Put the tray into a hot oven and cook till caramelized, well colapsed and the balsamic has turned into delicious sweet sticky yum! So good on burgers, steak sandwiches or BBQed meats.
I will have to try this one as it looks easier than my relish. I am down to my very last jar and am now thinking tomatoes are going to be too expensive to make preserves for a long time! I like to buy a box when they are cheap and make stacks of tomato relish and tomato sauce- unfortunately because everyone loves them they don’t last long!
I am so trying this recipe….I love relish, my nan used to make it all the time.
Gorgeous photos as usual that leave me watering at the mouth
Thanks for sharing
x
Sarah, I’m addicted to relishes at the moment, just love cooking a budget priced beef roast in my Tagine, then cutting it up for Steak Sanwhiches Unless I find Relish at Fete’s, I tend to buy Supermarket brands, the fancy so called Gourmet Shop ones are way outside my price range, I’ve always been a little reluctant to making my own, but your Recipe sounds so Straight forward, I’m going to give it a try
thanks so much, Gail xx
Those pictures look fantastic! (and I’m sure it’s yummy as well)
Make me wish it was already the season of tomatoes here in France!
I do love it when I’m given a bottle of home made relish, but have never made it myself. Until now : ) Lovely photos and styling in this post. Perfect. Looking forward to linking up with you tomorrow, I’m a big fan of embracing all the little things in life.
Love your photography! I’m glad I’ve found your site!
I just discovered your blog & loved it. I’m just new into blogging & have just finished off my own blog on fashion & interior design.
scrapbook-melissah.blogspot.com
I had a lot of fun putting it together. I would love your feedback on it if you’ve got a spare minute.
Cheers
Melissah
Relish? Salsa? It looks amazing whatever you want to call it. I love your photos and your blog. So fresh and clean and making me with for warmer weather. Thank you for sharing this! Have a wonderful day, Candace
Oh my goodness that looks delicious! Your photos are always so amazing!
I made something similar a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to use up my fresh tomatos. It was so good! I just ate it as is……then I threw it on top of a salad. LOVELY!!
I love quiet domestications in the kitchen. This is why most of our grandmothers were NOT in therapy!!
Hugs and God bless!
It looks so lovely. Too bad tomatoes are not really in season in Europe right now, I suppose it would be better with “summer tomatoes” than from a greenhouse. I will definitely save it.
Love the “Go To’s”, Sarah! Great photography, too. Thanks!
This recipe sounds delicious. And as usual, your photos are stunning. Thanks for sharing with us.
Angie
Linen + Verbena
I will certainly give it a try. The tomatoes in my balcony will be ready in a few more days. Have you tried freezing it?
Beautiful photos and a lovely presentation over all. I like relishes of any kind, so am happy to have a new recipe to try. Thank you.
This looks delicious! I’m bookmarking this recipe for when summer comes to this hemisphere! Thanks for sharing!!!