In culinary matters, Lady Magnon is best known for her Tarte Tatin, her Lemon drizzle cake, and her Chocolate brownies. She also bakes a mean Lemon meringue pie, fabulous Parmesan biscuits, and her Mince Pies are world renowned.
Her once-a-year Christmas cake is always eagerly awaited from that very last slice the previous year, right up to the first slice the following year.
She is less known for her jam making. I, personally, tend to make our Raspberry jam, whereas Lady M makes the Apricot jam. There is no logical reason for this; it's just the way things are.
Recently having heard that Seville Oranges were in the (UK) shops, she decided to make some Marmalade. I don't know if she chose a particularly difficult recipe, but its creation lasted a full two frantic days. It required Muscovado sugar, thick cut peel, Brandy, plenty of Oranges, a Lemon, and an assortment of other exotic ingredients.
The resulting Marmalade is particularly good. It has an intense dark brooding Orange flavour, and is, without question, a far superior product to my old favourite Coopers Oxford Vintage 'course cut' Marmalade.
I just hope that her supply will see us through Winter.
I am puzzled. Is Lady M in the U.K. or did it mean that if the Seville oranges were in the U.K. shops then they were also in French shops or did she have them couriered over or pop over and buy some. It does look good.
ReplyDeleteNo-one makes Marmalade here, so no Seville Oranges in the shops. She made do with ordinary eating Oranges and Lemon.
DeleteThey aren't sold as Seville Oranges in France, Cro.... they are sold as Oranges Amère here.... same oranges, different name. Start looking for them in January.... end of Feb and they've all gone.
DeleteBut, as you've just discovered... oranges for scoffing work very well... also grapefruit make an excellent marmalade... as do limes.
We are just entering the clementine/mandarine/satsuma season and they make a very different, fine cut marmalade. My dad used to make one from kumquats.... very rapid and simple that one is.... now I need to make some toast!!
I've never seen them on sale here, despite having actually looked. Maybe the markets would sell them more than the shops. Marmalade is not really eaten here much, is it? I agree with your dad about Kumquats; it's worth having a tree just for the Marmalade.
DeleteOrange Amère is actually used a lot... but because the season is so short, the vanish as quickly as they come in... it is best to order a dozen from your local veg stall to be sure of getting them.... a woman once cleared a whole tray in front of me.... and it was almost full. I had to ask if they had any more... they did. here, both Intermarché and SuperU are the most likely to have them.... 'Tis-I-LeClerc is not so reliable [else they go quicker!!]
DeleteLooks delicious!
ReplyDeleteHome made is always best.
DeleteLemons seem to feature heavily in Lady M's repertoire !!! Do you grow lemons Cro ? If not, you need to ! Homemade anything is always the tastiest. XXXX
ReplyDeleteI've always found Lemons difficult to grow. They always look wonderful when you first buy the trees, the following year next to nothing. Also, here, they need to be brought inside for the winter, and we're short on space.
DeleteLooks good.
ReplyDeleteI've just had some on toast; again.
DeleteReading your blog is just not healthy, I have a craving for toast and marmalade now!
ReplyDeleteIt's become my breakfast of choice, even though I don't usually eat sugary things.
DeleteI've already had my breakfast (usually banana and muesli) otherwise I would have been tempted to have some ginger marmalade for a change> I don't generally eat it but I have to keep it for certain visitors.
ReplyDeleteI've just thrown out a full jar of Ginger Marmalade... I found it weird.
DeleteJanuary is definitely the month for proper Seville Oranges. You must try and get some- even if it means a trip into Spain- and why not? I used to make marmalade every January in the UK, but when I migrated to Australia I had a big problem! Then I discovered Cumquats. They are just as good. Maybe those are available to you in France?
ReplyDeleteIf they do appear, we'll certainly buy some. I don't think our present supply will last past the new year.
DeleteNone of us eat marmalade. I made some as Christmas presents one year and the faff of slicing peel so thinly etc made it a once-only experiment. I stuck to my jam and chutneys after that. This one of your household sounds a belter and worth being areal labour of love.
ReplyDeleteHow is your son? I have been thinking about him and hoping he is getting better.
Thank you for asking. He's looking a lot better today, but still has a cough and a 'rash'. He's definitely on the mend.
DeleteI am SO GLAD to hear that. You must have been worried absolutely witless.
DeleteI love a good flavoursome marmelade. Lady Ms sounds the best. Mine tends to be mediocre because I used oranges we don't want to eat for some reason. Addition of brandy or whiskey always lifts it up a level!
ReplyDeleteShe's made marmalade before, and seems to get it just right (according to my taste). The alcohol is essential.
DeleteI miss orange marmalade
ReplyDeleteLaverbread for your breakfast... not marmalade.
DeleteIt sounds as if you and your Lady have a good team work in the kitchen. If my husband is in the kitchen, he's taking his boots off. Otherwise, it's just a passthrough room for him. I cannot complain. It was part of our prenuptual agreement. After 9 years of being a bachelor, he pleaded to be off cooking. I agreed if I were released from all things automotive.
ReplyDeleteI love cooking, and have often wondered if I shouldn't have been a chef. I take my breakfast alone, but always cook lunch and dinner.
DeleteIt is never too late to start a new, delicious tradition.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. And as much as I do tend to like/love British products (teas, custards, Shepherd's pie, etc.) orange marmalade never made the cut... of course I've never tried it home-made... could make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI love marmalade, but it has to be dark with plenty of peel, and a distinct flavour of brandy/whisky.
DeleteI think the 'distinct flavor of brandy/whiskey would help me like it.
DeleteMy favorite orange marmalade is at TJ's and is made with Seville oranges. I expect Lady M's home made marmalade is superior. Your toast looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteI didn't make any marmalade this year, and am now regretting it! Not even sure if we got the lightning-fast Seville orange season in our greengrocery. Next year, different story. I love your label. It speaks the truth!
ReplyDeleteLady M makes the marmalade; I do the labels.
DeleteThis Marmalade sounds so wonderful !
ReplyDeleteDaughter makes Marmalade using Kumquats or Tangelos, fabulous !
ReplyDeleteI think I might buy a Kumquat tree. I've been threatening to do so for years.
DeleteTry marmalade made from Blood Oranges..a lovely colour and taste
ReplyDeleteGet a tin of Mamade, add sugar and water, Voila!! It contains Seville oranges and takes the tiresome prep out of it, and it’s bloody nice 👍
ReplyDelete