It can be no coincidence that the short season for Seville Oranges coincides with what feels like the longest most grey, cold month of the year. These sharp aromatic oranges never fail to bring sunshine into my kitchen. Despite still having a cupboard full marmalade from last year, I couldn't resist a morning spent juicing and slicing, bubbling and boiling. The house was filled with the scent of citrus and I could imagine sun baked orange groves.
And while the cut peel simmered I managed to file my tax return... Another January ritual completed!
And now I have another eight jars of marmalade waiting for labels. Sunshine in jars!
Despite loving the stuff, I don't really get through much in a year. I'm the only one who eats it but as I rarely eat toast I might use a couple of jars at most. Since Christmas we've been trying to eat more healthily and so far there has been no baking this year (do not fret on our behalf, we've only just finished the Christmas cake) so the occasion of a friend's birthday gave the perfect excuse to bake a cake... And use up some of the marmalade of course.
Nigel Slater's marmalade cake... A wholesome cake that is good all year round but especially in January.
Not really what I would call a celebration cake but it's amazing what a few candles can do.
And because someone indoors was having a moan that I hadn't made cake for him... There was a marmalade bread and butter pudding this evening too. Not only did it use up marmalade but also some hot cross buns that I found lurking in the depths of the freezer.
It seems like our healthy eating regime has fallen by the wayside but it's worth for a bit of sunshine in January.
That all looks delicious! We're not big marmalade eaters either, yet I love to make it ... maybe I should take a leaf from your book and use it for cakes and puddings instead of on toast.
ReplyDeleteSounds healthy enough to me. Food cooked from scratch and enjoyed in good company, I'm sure is good for the soul and what is more healthy than that?
ReplyDeleteLove that marmalade! I had a go at making a batch a couple of years ago and bought a proper preserving pan (which is huge) but the mixture stuck to the bottom. Had to go out and buy a jar of Golden Shred!
ReplyDeleteI have to confess that I just don't have the knack of making jams and marmalade, I've tried and tried but no, it just won't work for me! Yours looks gorgeous. Hubs loves marmalade, whereas I don't but I'm being given 24 brand spanking new jars with lids....can't say no to them now can I! Should I try again? They'll probably end up being used for storing bits n bobs. Suzy x
ReplyDeleteI'm not fond of the stuff on toast but I do like to bake with it. I often wonder if that lovely glowing colour encourages us to make it at what can be a dark & dismal time of year.
ReplyDeleteDo you know I've just finished a slice of toast and marmalade, Bonne Maman though, not homemade!
ReplyDeleteIt really is sunshine in a jar ! Sun baked orange groves are a lovely thought, definitely something to lift the January spirit!
V x
I never eat marmalade, but I don't know why. Hubby gets through about a jar every 5 or 6 weeks it seems. Yours looks delicious in the jars with the sunlight shining through it, a real jewel. The cake looks delicious, and surely any cake is a reason to celebrate!!! Hope that the pudding was yummy too! xx
ReplyDeleteIf it's homemade it's healthy Gina! Even if I didn't eat toast I would start doing so with a cupboard of that delicious marmalade.
ReplyDeleteI have still never made marmalade and still get through almost a jar a year. This time I got one made in Spain of Seville oranges, it is so beautifully tangy.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of your bread and butter pudding, yum!
So sunny, I love the jars and the cake looks so yummy xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm declaring a marmalade break this year while I catch up on what's in the cupboard.
ReplyDeleteGina, I love mamalade, on toast, have never made it myself, but am very fortunate to have a NYC friend who kindly give me some of what she does male.
ReplyDeleteLucky!
I like the idea of a marmalade cake, but marmalade bread pudding might be an ever better treat. Have your shared that pudding recipe before? I can't remember, but I would love to try it.
xo
Ooo! I love marmalade and I've spotted the Seville oranges in the supermarket. I think I must get making! Your marmalade cake looks delicious too.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a marmalade lover but my husband loves it! I've made that Nigel Slater cake many a time and sent him off to work with a slice in his lunchbox. Your post serves to remind me that I haven't made it for him since he retired and that's nearly two years ago! Time to make reparations and do the right thing although I can't stretch to making such a luscious bread and butter pudding as well. You treat the men in your life so well Gina!
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ReplyDeleteYour marmalade looks wonderful, I made some for the first time this year and will never look at the shop bought stuff in the same way! As you say, sunshine in jars :)
ReplyDeleteI just love the smell of bubbling marmalade! And I love it on toast, but like you, don't eat much at all these days. That might change when I get my sourdough up and running though :)
ReplyDeleteWell, if you have to break your healthy habits for a moment, at least you've done so with something delicious. It all looks wonderful!
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