I came across what might turn out to be a very useful book this morning. It was on top of the pile in the 20p box in the charity shop. There are all sorts of unusual recipes in it, all made from plants and flowers you can find in the countryside. I love the idea of making cowslip mead or honeysuckle wine, they sound the type of thing Fairies or Pixies would drink. Or making my own crystallised violets or a violet souffle - how lovely does that sound?
There are instructions and recipes for herb teas, wine making, fruit syrups, bottling fruit, jam making, salads, soups, sauces and mayonaise, and all from ingredients that are growing wild in the UK. It was originally published in 1973 so I suspect it might have been written on the wave of self-sufficiency, back-to-nature, and 'The Good Life' that was around in those days. Even if I never cook a single thing from it, the book was well worth 20p for the unusual recipes and happy foraging ideas it gives me.
20p well spent. I often enjoy picking up cheap books just for browsing through. Hey, and once or twice I've even tried to make things from them.
Enjoy your foraging ;-)
Posted by: sharie | 01/18/2011 at 05:56 PM
Food and drink for free!
I'd love to see some of the recipes you've tried out.
Perhaps you'll post some?
Posted by: Maureen | 01/18/2011 at 07:04 PM
great buy , flower wines are so nice too especially gorse :)
I have a few older books about jam ,pates and brewing and they are so much better than the new ones i have bought , they knew a lot about homemaking in the 70's :)
Posted by: shaz | 01/19/2011 at 04:24 PM