make your own chilli jam

Tracklement's Chilli Jam is the best. Its combination of heat and sweetness is perfect for cheese (especially Whitestone) and I also love it on halloumi wraps. However, unfortunately, it's not available in Australia. Well, this fact plus the abundance of chilli in our garden led me to only one conclusion: make my own. I searched for recipes but none of them seemed quite right. (The first recipe I tried was more like a relish than a jam, another sounded too spicy, etc.) So, I decided to make up something based on Tracklement's list of ingredients. Here's what I came up with: 300g sugar, 300ml vinegar, 100g chilli, 100g red capsicum, 100g onion, juice of 1 lemon, 1 clove garlic, pinch salt. I blitzed the chilli, capsicum, onion and garlic until fine and then heated it up in a saucepan. Then, I squeezed in the lemon juice, followed by the salt and then the sugar. When the sugar had dissolved I poured in the vinegar and boiled the mixture for ten minutes or so. Altogether, I'm pleased with how it turned out. The colour, shine and taste is right, although it is a little too thick, so maybe take it off the heat a little earlier, perhaps when it's still quite runny. Also, I'd recommend removing some/all of the chilli seeds before blitzing if you want a warming heat rather than an eye-popping heat. I think it will do nicely until I can get my mitts on more Tracklement's! What do you think? Would you give it a try?

Photos: Heidi Adnum. Cheese: Whitestone Totara Tasty

wish-listed: books about food

When it comes to shopping, window or otherwise, my preference is for books, homewares and fabric. (If they're gifts, then that's even better.) It seems that the more books I cross off my wishlist, the more I add in their place. I was in shock when Amazon (UK) so abruptly ended their 'free shipping to Australia' deal last year. It was a huge blow for Santa. I keep adding and adding to my wish-list, though, for if nothing else to keep me focussed on what I would really like to buy next time I go shopping. (I notice my brother hasn't since added anything to his wish-list; he's gone cold turkey.) This week I've added four new books that look great: J'aime New York by Alain Ducasse, Great Pub Food by Rachael Lane, Kitchen Garden Cooking With Kids by Stephanie Alexander, and French Food Safari by Maeve O'Meara with Guillaume Brahimi. Have you tried any of these?