Cooks' Corner

[Kristl Walek]

Has anybody cooked with Chaenomeles cathayensis, a Chinese quince?

Paddy,
My German friend who sends me the seed of this (very pretty in flower) species every year for my catalogue last year included in the mailing an additional small wrapped "present" for Christmas.

It was C. cathayensis fruit leather, which he had made---and it was fantastic!!!!

[Paddy Tobin]

Kristl,

"Fruit leather" was a term new to me and I had to check up on what it was, dried fruit. I don't think the quince I grow here become ripe enough to palatable when dry.

While I enjoyed the baked quince I mentioned above and finished off this year's crop in that manner, neither Mary nor John liked it and I will probably not repeat it. Next year, I intend using the  quince to make a jelly to serve with cheese.

Paddy

[Kristl Walek]

paddy....it's always interesting for me to hear about fruits/seeds not ripening in the UK....and i suppose the problem is somewhat similar to here in Nova Scotia----where SO MANY things don't mature properly or at all. notwithstanding the very mild climate and late frosts. not enough heat or sun during the growing season i assume.

in contrast, many plants growing in colder areas, but with significantly more warmth during the summer will produce much better quality seed.

my friend with the fruit leather lives in northern Germany---and he gets PLENTY of ripe Chaenomeles cathayensis each year (and I get kg of great seed).

[mark smyth]

Arykana what have you made?

[Arykana]

crape/pancake the filling is almond

[Arykana]

Christmas village for one of  my neighbor

[Anthony Darby]

Your neighbour is very lucky. My children have Ikea gingerbread houses to build. Alas, the packet only contains the gingerbread roof and walls and we have to get the icing sugar and smarties etc. separately to decorate it.

[Arykana]

here is no pattern, only your knife and fantasy  a house for sale near to me  so .........

[Anthony Darby]

Yours is much better than the Ikea one. I like plenty of icing! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FHCsFWf4uUo/TP2tz0eMGqI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/omWLWcG56j0/s1600/pepparkakshus-ny-2010.gif

[annew]

This is my Christmas gift for you - A good chocolate 'hit' without the guilt. In fact you could make a case for these being quite medicinal!
ANNE'S GOOD-FOR-YOU BROWNIES
500g stoned prunes
300ml unsweetened apple juice
Put into a small pan, bring to a simmer then remove from heat and leave to soak overnight.
Blend to a puree and measure out into ½ cup (4 fl oz) portions. Reserve I portion for this time, and freeze the others for later use.

2 large eggs (free range of course)
4 egg whites
90g light muscovado sugar
½ cup prune puree
4 tablespoons (60ml) oil, eg rapeseed, sunflower
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Combine these together in a blender, or beat well until well mixed.

150g wholemeal self-raising flour
100g good cocoa eg Green and Blacks
50g chopped nuts

Add these to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Line a 30x20cm tin with baking parchment and spread in the mixture. Smooth it over as it won’t spread while it cooks. Place in a preheated oven at 180C for about 10 minutes until just firm, don’t overcook or it will be dry.
Cool in the tin then cut into 24 pieces. Enjoy! (And don’t feel guilty)
Merry Christmas everyone!

[Arykana]

Yours is much better than the Ikea one. I like plenty of icing! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FHCsFWf4uUo/TP2tz0eMGqI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/omWLWcG56j0/s1600/pepparkakshus-ny-2010.gif

Thank you - I want to try a big church like this 

till it is for my other neigbour 

[annew]

It looks delicious!

[Lesley Cox]

I received a card from a friend today. (I hate her. She's skinny!) It said "I'm NOT fat, I'm chocolate enriched."

[annew]

I'm hoping to be, in the next few days!

[Arykana]

my last recipe for this year:
Christmas cake
Have bought 1 kg of warm affection,drizzle through the sieve of the
patience,in case if there is a gossip seed do not let it get involved into it!
Add 1 liter courage,3 deciliter of diligence,1 deciliter of goodness, knead it together then 1
egg with kindness it then with clear merriment.
If wake up,roast it at the fire of the perseverance,sprinkle it with maternal laughter and
place a couple drops of calm consideration upon it.
Cut it on warmth onto so many pieces that he should be more with one always,than you are as
many people around the table because there is somebody always,who yet not got.
I wish that you should get him from this cake,who you read that he is happier just let him be
your Christmas