Harvesting Wild Poppy Seeds
As autumn whispers its arrival, it's time for a cherished ritual: harvesting wild poppy seeds. Before we collect these tiny treasures, we gently shake each pod, releasing some seeds back to the earth to ensure future blooms. With careful snips, we gather the pods and take them home, where we tap out the plentiful seeds — a delightful, edible bounty that adds a nutty crunch to breads and desserts alike.
The Lovable Enigma of Cherry Plums
In the late summer turning to autumn, our woodland orchards bursts into life with the bounty of cherry plums - a gift from our much-loved Prunus cerasifera trees. These small, juicy fruits, as irresistible to us as they are to our kids, Ronia and Bear, embody the seasonal shift in all its generosity.
Creamy Chantarelle Pasta
Featuring freshly foraged chantarelles, our creamy pasta is a delightful fusion of woodland bounty and homey comfort food. This dish shines with versatility, easily accommodating vegan dietary needs or even the inclusion of stored ramson leaves for added depth of flavor.
The Secretive Art of Chantarelle Picking
Dive into the hushed rhythm of the forest as we unveil the mysteries of mushroom picking, specifically the golden treasure - chantarelles. Our post illuminates the unwritten rules of this secretive pursuit, elucidates the tradition of leaving some fungi behind, and shares a glimpse into how Bear and Ronia learnt to identify these bright, uniquely shaped delights.
The Harvesting and Drying of Our Homegrown Herbs
From the first snip of garden shears to the last aromatic sip of tea, join us as we walk you through our herb harvesting journey. Experience the vibrancy of mints, lemon balm, thyme, and oregano at the peak of their readiness, and learn the delicate art of drying that not only preserves their essence but also enhances their flavor. As these herbs sway from our chandelier, they fill our home with fragrant whispers of the summer that's been, and the cozy autumn meals that lie ahead
Homemade Mini Peppermint Patties
Experience the delight of crafting your own candies with our rustic mini and micro peppermint patties. Infused with homemade peppermint oil, these sweets provide a uniquely satisfying experience, as each bite is a testament to the labor of love that went into their creation. From forming your sugar-peppermint dough to coating each piece with tempered chocolate, embrace the joy of making treats straight from the garden to your table.
Mint Oil and Floral Water Extraction
Embarking on this mint distillation adventure isn't just about crafting your own homemade treats - it's an immersive sensory journey. Picture this: the rich, intoxicating scent of mint wafting through every room, wrapping your home in a vibrant aroma so potent it's as if the very walls are exuding freshness. This isn't just about scent; it's about an experience that's minty beyond belief
Wild Raspberry Jam
Embrace the simple pleasure of homemade raspberry jam with our delightfully uncomplicated recipe. Made with just raspberries and sugar, our slightly runny jam captures the pure essence of summer berries. Enjoy it hot and fresh over buttered buns, or add a dollop to pies, cakes, or ice cream. A luscious and versatile treat that will surely brighten your day!
Crafting Raspberry Cordial - Two Ways: A Simple Soda Syrup & A Gentle, Cooked Beverage
Dive into the essence of summer with our two variations of raspberry cordial. One is a simple soda syrup, capturing the pureness of fresh raspberries, and the other, a lightly cooked cordial that embodies the gentle complexity of the berries. Delight in the timeless raspberry soda made from our overnight-macerated syrup or evoke 'Anne of Green Gables' with a cordial crafted from a lightly simmered mixture. Savor the simple pleasures of the season, just as Anne would.
Wild Blueberry Muffins
In our homestead, baking blueberry muffins is more of a joyful dance in the kitchen than following a strict recipe. Inspired by a surprise visit from some French travellers, we're sharing our recipe with you. The freshly picked blueberries, a handful of nuts, perhaps a dash of caramel - all are added until the mix just feels right. The end result? Delicious, warm muffins that are a bit of a delightful mess to extract from the pan. Each one is a unique, flavorful joy just waiting to be savored.
The Changing Seasons: A Raspberry Tale
Embrace the changing seasons with wild raspberry foraging, and savor the fleeting sweetness of these delicate fruits. Journey with us as we transform our fresh harvest into aromatic cordials and jams.
Mastering the Blåbärplockar for Blueberry Harvests
Venture into the wild with us, where we arm ourselves with traditional Swedish Blåbärplockar and bring home a bounty of delicious blueberries! Discover the art of efficient berry picking and the joy of family time spent sorting through our haul!
Strawberry Preserve Topping for Vanilla Ice Cream
Dive into the delightful flavor of summer with our homemade strawberry preserve swirled into creamy vanilla ice cream! This easy, nostalgia-filled recipe is a trip down memory lane - a taste of childhood summers and grandma's loving kitchen.
Dark Cherry Delight: Unveiling the Shadow Morello
From our hefty Morello cherry trees hang clusters of inky cherries, ripe and ready for juicing. With flavors reminiscent of the Nordic Stevnskirsebær or Italian amarene cherries, these Morellos make a sweet, potent juice that's perfect for a cozy bedtime drink. And the process? It's as simple as grind, strain, and sip. But beware, its deep, dramatic color can be deceiving - it's a deliciously fresh drink with a secret sleep-inducing benefit
Raw Strawberry Soda Pop
Discover the joy of homemade strawberry soda pop, created with raw, homegrown strawberries and nothing else. Bright and flavorful, this soda is prepared using a novel method - macerating strawberries with sugar, and then straining the syrupy result. The pectin that can impact texture in cooked strawberry sodas is sidestepped here, leaving you with a vibrant, zesty beverage. Even more delightful is the magic behind serving this treat from our whimsical 'soda tree,' a hidden delight in our woodland garden. It’s a bottle of pure, fizzy joy that's sure to impress visitors of all ages!
The Curious World of Witch Eggs: Unearthing Phallus impudicus
Unearthing the secrets of nature, we discover 'Witch Eggs,' the young stage of the stinkhorn fungus. Camouflaged in the undergrowth, these spherical wonders taste surprisingly like hazelnuts and cucumber. Shrouded in folklore and trolls' tales, these peculiar fungi offer a fascinating, if slightly odd, foraging find.
Scandinavian Blueberry Butter Cake
Infuse your next gathering with the sweet taste of summer with our Blueberry Butter Cake! A simple yet irresistible dessert that's buttery-rich and dotted with handfuls of fresh, tart blueberries. Cut it into pie slices for a casual backyard picnic, or top individual squares with a quick blueberry whipped cream for an elegant touch. Whichever way you choose to serve it, this cake is a celebration of the humble blueberry in every delightful bite.
Blueberry Bliss - A Nordic Foraging Adventure
A journey through the forest reveals the quiet charm of foraging wild blueberries in Scandinavia. Whether it's the intense flavor of Vaccinium myrtillus or the subtly sweet Vaccinium uliginosum, these tiny berries paint our summer days with shades of blue. Hidden within the dappled shade of the trees, they're nature's secret treats that stain both fingers and lips, and serve as delicious additions to our breakfast and baked goods.
A Bicycle Trip Turned Cornflower Picking Adventure
On a routine bicycle trip to the local ice creamery, an unexpected detour led us into a field of cornflowers. The sight of their blue petals amidst golden wheat was irresistible. Before we knew it, an impromptu cornflower picking session began, a bounty perfect for adding a whimsical touch to our Earl Grey tea.
Cherry Jubilee: A Foraging Adventure & The Joy of Sharing
Awaiting the ripening of our homegrown cherries, both sweet and slightly sour, we commenced a race against our avian friends to pluck them from their towering branches. After feasting and packing jars of our bounty, we set out on a sun-drenched journey to share the fruits of our labour with our distant neighbours.. Despite our mission of giving, we returned home richer, with hands filled with cherries from an unexpected find on our way home.
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