A Beginners Guide to Preserves, How to Make Jam, Jellies, Syrups Alcoholic Sips and Much, Much More
This book on preserving is a really great book. It is really well written and filled with how tos and easy to create but tasty preserving recipes.
My sister recently bought this fantastic book in hardback for me for my birthday present. She also got one for herself at the same time. Personally, I think it was the pear liqueur recipe mentioned on the jacket that drew her to it! Whatever the reason I am glad she did.
It is a very in-depth book that is clearly laid out with beautiful purple and green illustrations and headings and text. The book explains everything very well with clear and detailed instructions.
Although it is for beginners there is plenty in there for the experienced person who has some knowledge of preserving.
There are areas for preserving vegetables, fruit and even herbs.
Quantities of Ingredients
Another thing I particularly like is that Jill Nice has created recipes using quantities that are easy to manage – yay!
This is vital, one if you are a beginner as you don’t want to be making huge amounts, and two if you only have a small family or small house or are a couple or single. Besides it is often better to have several smaller batches of different things than one big batch one one thing. (Speaking as one who had lots and I mean lots of blackcurrant jam one year. OK it keeps. But there is only so much blackcurrant jam one person can eat. Especially when the blackcurrants were particularly sour and no one wanted any – sigh!)
Simplicity Is Key
Another thing she has done is keep the recipes and methods as simple as possible. This increases the chances of success, costs less and increases the chance of you making things again.
Make Something a Bit Different
If you want something that is different than what you can get on the supermarket shelves either for yourself or as gifts then it is great to make your own. Setting up isn’t so difficult and you can set up with the basic tools very quickly or just to start use what equipment you have.
So what Does the Book Cover?
It covers all the things like Jams, Chutneys, Curds Pickles, relishes and sauces and ketchup. It also covers spiced fruit and fruits in alcohol. A particular favourite with me since receiving home made sloe gin for Christmas one year. (Finding the sloe berries is a bit of a problem though unless they are growing wild).
What is a really good idea is that it covers the key ingredients you will need for all of your preserving and what types of each thing there are and they do and why you need them.
It also covers the equipment you will need. In fact virtually everything you will need to create some fantastic jams, chutneys or the occasional alcoholic drink if you want to.
What Recipes are There?
There are absolutely tons of recipes. They cover fruit, herbs and vegetables. Even a Marrow and Ginger recipe like the one I wrote about last year. It looks similar. There is an orange liqueur, lemon barley water, lemon and sweet orange preserve. rosemary oil, thyme Jelly, mustard and ketchup, to name but a few.
On the Downside
If there was one down on the book I would normally say it would have to be that it doesn’t have any coloured photos. Which is something I normally like. However, there is so much information and it is so well written that I feel that the photos don’t really matter.
If there were photos in the book, either there would be less in the book or it would cost a lot more to buy. It is a trade well worth it for such a good book.
In Conclusion
This is a beautifully written and illustrated book that is well worth the money. The book will help guide you into the world of preserving and help you to attain great results that will boost your confidence and give you some lovely preserves.
Now, I just have to wait for my Rhubarb to grow so I can try the Hot Rhubarb chutney. I’m not normally one for chutneys, but it does sound interesting. Grow Rhubarb, Grow!
Preserves: A beginner's guide to making jams and jellies, sauces and ketchups, chutneys and pickles, syrups and alcoholic drinks
