It has becone a bit of a Mummy Mishaps summer tradition now for me to take the boys to our local PYO strawberry farm in August. Why I only seem to visit once every summer is a mystery, because the farm is only a couple of miles from me but, I guess, despite the strawberries we get from there being juicy and sweet and the nicest ones around, I go for convenience, and get my fruit at the supermarket! (I know, I know!! I must try harder next year). However, when we go it is abit of an occasion and both boys always look forward to going and looking back at the previous two years, it is funny to see how much they have grown by how much closer to the strawberries they stand as each year passes!
This year was no different and we set off wearing wellies as it had been raining the day before, (which as you will see further down was a good idea!!) and filled 2 punnets up with the best strawberries. There *may* have been some sampling on the way round, but then that is part of the PYO perks of the job!
After all that strawberry picking, eating and carrying it was time for some muddy puddle fun! Afterall, what is the point in wearing wellington boots if you do not use them for what they are intended?
It is just aswell washing machines were invented, hey?
Once home with our luscious strawberries, most of them were eaten by the boys with yogurt, and I enjoyed some with cream and homemade meringues but with the remaining fruit I thought I would have go at making some homemde jam as it is something I haver never done before, and it did not seem *too* hard. I did not make a huge amount, just enough for 1 1/2 jars (the leftover half I used in baking).
To make the Strawberry, Apple & Elderflower Jam I took :
275g strawberries, hulled and cut into smallish pieces
1 apple, peeled and chopped into small pieces
1 tbsp elderflower cordial
275g light demerara sugar
Then simply, place all of the ingredients in a pan on a moderate heat to dissolve the sugar, then once dissolved turn the heat up and with a sugar thermomenter leave the mixture to bubble and boil to 106C. Then remove from the heat. I mashed mine a little to break down the lumps of fruit. Then place into your sterilised jar and leave for at least 1 week for the flavours to mellow.
With the leftover jam, the boys and I set about making some jammy flapjacks , an easy recipe which I thought would work well with the flavours from my jam.
Jammy Flapjack Clusters
175g unsalted butter
175g golden syrup
125g demerara sugar
350g oats
jam – any flavour you like
150g white chocolate
Then:
pre heat the oven to 150OC / 130oC (fan)
line a square baking tin with greaseproof paper
place the butter, syrup and sugar in a pan on a moderate heat and melt all of the ingredients into a sauce
remove from the heat and pour over the oats which need to be in a large mixing bowl
stir well to cover all of the oats with the sticky sauce
Pour half of the mixture into your tin and smooth over
spread some jam over the oats
Add the rest of the oat mixture and smooth over
cook in the oven for approx 35-40 minutes until golden brown
leave to cool for about 30 minutes
line a muffin tin with paper cake cases
then tip all of the flapjack onto a plate or board, and make into balls and place into each cake case – squashing together as much as you can
Melt the white chocolate and top each cluster with some
Leave for about 10 minutes and then transfer to a fridge to set for at least 2 hours before serving
These are really yummy and a great way to serve flapjacks that break when removed from your baking tin!
It was really satisfying picking our own fruit to make our own jam and then bake something with the jam too, and it was interesting for the boys to see how the strawberries we picked got turned into edible products which they then enjoyed eating. So, until August next year we will look forward to picking our own strawberries again, and getting mucky with all the mud and red juicy strawberry stains that our trips to the farm bring!
I was sent a box of goodies for making my own jam from Persil, which included a box of the new Persil Dual Action Capsules, which came in very handy for cleaning the muddy puddle stains from Burton’s shorts, and the strawberry stains from the tee shirts of both boys! Persil believe, as do I, that kids should be kids and be allowed to get messy while they play and the new Dual Action Capsules offer an even better removal of tough stains, and I can say that they honestly do!
I was sent these items for the purpose of a review and to make some jam, both of which I feel I have done honestly and in my own way!
This post was brought to you as part of Flashback Friday
Remember – a flashback can be from any time whether it be yesterday, last week, last month, last year or yesteryear! It can be a flashback of your own, your children, your partner or your friends.
Mummy of Two
Looks like a great time was had by all! I used to love visiting PYO’s as a child but haven’t gotten around to taking my two yet, I’m not sure why! Love the sound of your flapjacks too!
lauracymft
Looks like the boys had a great time. I used to love going to pick strawberries with my sister and cousins. Always had to taste on the way round of course! x