Christmas at Snowdrop Cottage

Christmas has arrived at Snowdrop Cottage!

We've been really busy at Snowdrop Cottage HQ over the last few weeks planning, prepping and tasting our new range.  We've a few new marmalades for you - a wonderfully boozy Orange and Whisky as well as our Ruby Red Grapefruit and Vodka for those wanting a little extra oomph!  Of course we have our traditional marmalades too for those who like a traditional offering or feel they have enough Christmas mojo without the need for extras!

Back by popular demand we bring you our delicious Christmas Puddings. Our Traditional pudding is made with butter, bramley apples and of course lashings of Brandy. We also have our 'Gingerbread & Cranberry' Christmas pudding with cranberries, toasted pecans and oranges.  Each one it goes without saying is made with Shipton Mill Organic Flour and our free range eggs.  Deliciously light and moorish they've become a must for many Christmas tables over the last few years.  This year we've even had new labels designed which I hope you'll love as much as we do!

Of course Christmas is a hectic time for so many of us, so with this in mind we offer some fabulous gift ideas.  Our gift boxes can be filled with a choice of three preserves, chutneys or honey or if you're looking for something a little larger we can also offer you our hamper, complete with bow and gift tag, wrapped and ready to give. These proved very popular last year and are very versatile.

Please come and see us at any of our events we're attending up to Christmas, or if we're not local to you we're happy to post - just drop us a line!  We're kicking off our first event at Henleaze Festival on Wednesday 3rd December so come a long and say hello!

New Event - Temple Quay Market

We're so excited to be attending this established market based in the business district of Temple Quay.  We'll be busy cooking on a Wednesday to make sure all our goodies are as fresh as can be to satisfy hungry office workers.  Our Christmas puddings will also be available as well as our other award winning preserves and chutneys.  

Hedgerow Foraging

Foraging it has to be said is in my blood.  My mother as a young girl would climb into a cart pulled by the family farm horse and with friends and relatives and an ample picnic would set off on the annual Autumn 'nutting party'.  It was an event which was eagerly anticipated by both young and old although keen eyes were needed to spot tricky nuts hidden under leaves.  

We don't have 'nutting parties' anymore unfortunately (boo, hiss), but that's not to say our countryside isn't bursting with berries and other delectable goodies waiting to be discovered.  With my children at school, a beautiful warm and sunny day and a few hours to spare, the hedgerows started calling.

Hiking boots on (stinging nettle defenders in my case), with bags at the ready it was time for the off. Walking along the country lanes, the sun on my face with peace and quiet, I felt quite simply - happy.  This year the hedgerows were almost groaning under the weight of the fruits and within a couple of hours I'd picked 3kgs of the most beautiful, dark jeweled berries, a handsome reward for the odd sting I reckon! 

That evening I strained the berries which had been cooked until soft, a wonderful mix of blackberries, elderberries and sloes and then started the jelly making process.  For my efforts I was rewarded with 4 jars of jelly, not a huge amount but the fun certainly made up any shortfall!  In the back of my cupboard I'd noticed a rather dusty bottle.  Closer inspection of the label read 'Sloe vodka, 2007, Solsbury Hill, Bath', so if you happen to bag a jar of this jelly you'll notice a slug of this ruby offering has been added to each jar!!  Next week I'll be venturing into the fields again to pick some more, what a fantastic way to spend a morning!

Summer has arrived at Snowdrop Cottage!

With building work continuing with our new kitchen build the only tranquility we have is in our lovely kitchen garden,  the one space I'm determined to keep tidy and build free!  The children have their sandpit in one half of the raised beds and can play happily whilst I weed away or simply enjoy a cheeky G&T in the shade of the grape vines. We're trying out a few different varieties this year and although our rainbow beetroot has been a bit of a failure, our early apricot hued flowers of our runner beans are already providing some meals on the table.

 

A good friend bought me this vegetable trug for my birthday last year so I couldn't wait to try it out!  We've sampled the runner beans in our salad tonight and my daughter who grew the beetroot will be sampling some of it roasted in a risotto for dinner tomorrow. The children love growing vegetables and the raspberries are eagerly put into hungry mouths - we've yet to try any of them!

We're trying to grow some squash and kale this summer and so far so good!  The slugs and other bitey vegetable lovers are staying at bay for now.  If any of you have suggestions how to keep the aphids at bay I'd love to hear them!  We try not to spray anything in the garden.

As you can see my rhubarb plant has excelled, one of our customers has put a request in for some rhubarb preserve which will soon be on the stall ready!  Keep your eyes peeled for an update!  Hope everyone out there is managing to enjoy their gardens too!

Pretty Nostalgic Photo shoot - Part 2

Photo from Pretty Nostalgic magazine, taken by Jonathan Rapley greenfieldphotography

I believe in a simple life really.  I find beauty in all kinds of things from the simplicity of a rose, my daughters faces and of course in my home made preserves.  It wouldn't be unfair to call me a 'preserve geek', in fact I'd smile inwardly and glow with pride.  These photos made me smile, in fact several days later having been sent them I'm still smiling.  

Photo from Pretty Nostalgic magazine, taken by Jonathan Rapley Greenfieldphotography

  Of course we stock some little shops, the ones which are quirky, with lovely assistants that make you want to stop and share a cup of tea with them, who know who you are.  To see the shelves lined with our preserves and chutneys is such a privilege.

Photo from Pretty Nostalgic magazine, taken by Jonathan Rapley Greenfieldphotography

If you'd like to stock our preserves, chutneys or pastries please do email us at snowdropcottagefinefoods@gmail.com or telephone 01453 520112 and we'll be delighted to talk with you.  Finally a huge thanks to Oldbury Community Village Shop for inviting us to their photo shoot, to Sarah at Pretty Nostalgic magazine and the amazing Jonathan  who was the man responsible for making me smile for several days after seeing such wonderful photos!

Rode Post Office - award winning business stock Snowdrop Cottage Fine Foods

Photo courtesy of fromestandard.co.uk

Whilst at The Frome Independant market we met the lovely Elaine and David Walsh who run the successful Rode Post Office and Village Shop.   Recent finalists of the 'Rural Oscars' run by the Countryside Alliance they were looking for fresh local produce to stock in their shop and stopped by to taste our pies, pastries, chutneys and preserves.  Impressed they placed an order straight away and now order from us on a regular basis.

Freshly packaged and ready for delivery

We work closely with Elaine and David to ensure their customers receive a good selection of our produce on a weekly basis, always freshly made to order and delivered at a time which suits their busy shop.  It's been so nice to get to know Elaine and hear the feedback she receives from customers.  We're thrilled to be part of their very successful business.  If you'd like to stock any of our produce please email us snowdropcottagefinefoods@gmail.com

Bristol Good Food Awards 2014....... 'Best Preserve' winner

Photo courtesy of Bristol Bites

Humbled, shocked and elated are only some of the emotions we felt when we found out we had won, for the second year running the category of 'best preserve' at the 2014 Bristol Good Food Awards.  There was fierce competition and with some of the most well known and respected food judges out there blind tasting our produce we were nervous to say the least. 

Thank you to all those who voted for us, we wouldn't have got this far without you.