| Morning morning, cant believe I have woken up so early, but clearly BL you beat me too it!! Is it possible they are ornimental pears?? take one to a local nursery and a pic of the tree, they might be able to tell you. I have heard stories of people putting brown paper bags on the pears whilst still on the tree and fastening them with elastic bands to cause them to ripen but it could just be urban legend. Coulis would be best frozen. it keeps forever that way. The Black and Blue sounds just brilliant!! The name tickles me entirely. Muffins sound amazing. I must go to Sainsburys because I have seen they have proper american muffin pans there. I have a really nice wholewheat and raisin recipe somewhere, that keeps in the fridge for up to a month, and you just dollop a spoon in and bake off when you fancy, Lol although all these things are far far away still. It is good to plan. I was really chuffed with the tea party. I think they enjoyed it hugely. Did feel a little bad though because Pat (the mom) hadnt seen us for 2 years and was so impressed with the weight loss, that she started having a go sort of at her son James and tellng him he needs to loose weight. Which is true he does, but I did explain that it has to be the right time for him. Sadly imho he has no real inclination.
I think you can cut the sugar and it would be a conserve, must look for a recipe, but on the shelf in the supermarket you can find the Bon Maman (at least i think it is that brand name) which is french and a very low sugar jam. Probably would need to buy some pectin though and up that to be able to reduce the sugar, which would help it reach a setting point. I have just been buying sugar at the local, but I am sure you can buy online from a preserving supplier and get it a bit cheaper and in larger quantities. Only prob is the weight of it all for postage!
Happy Jammin!
Jez
xx
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