Deb's Digest
Debbie Atkinson’s family life column, as featured in the Southport Visiter.

Friday, 30 March 2007

I wrote Gordon Ramsay's recipes off ages ago, after trying to make his cinder toffee. The recipe was ridiculous and I found I was being asked to add things that weren't in the list of ingredients. Since then I've stuck with Delia. But at the weekend I found a recipe for three fruit marmalade in the Telegraph. I followed it to the letter, bottled and labelled it. Twenty-four hours later it was as runny as fruit juice so I dug out Delia's marmalade recipe. She recommended double the amount of sugar that the Telegraph recipe had called for. So I tipped the lot back into the preserving pan and re-boiled with the extra sugar. Perfection! But why publish recipes that are never going to do the job?

THIS MARMALADE IS NOW ON EBAY!
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Posted by debsdigest.com at 05:32

19 comments:

  1. Faith Blakemore25 April 2007 at 04:02

    Sounds lovely! How do I get some :) Yummy...

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  2. Brian Wolf25 April 2007 at 04:45

    Hi there
    Didn't know you could sell foodstuffs on ebay, in fact I don't think you can.

    Brian.

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  3. Heather Davies25 April 2007 at 04:45

    Hello there. You can rely on Delia ! Please persist with your marmalade, it is tricky to make and even tricky - er to keep getting it right. I know I've tried. I would like to see lemon marmalade more popular, I think it is delicious. Perhaps you could help in my "quest".

    Looking forward to seing yours on e bay, anything that gets people to try home made food that tastes brilliant, and encourages them to start making things is just great with me.

    All good things
    H

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  4. Tony25 April 2007 at 05:49

    your three fruit marmalade is interesting..I wanna taste some..really

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  5. Brian Woodward25 April 2007 at 05:58

    Hi Debs

    Being a loyal young Tory I'd been buying the Telegraph seven days a week since my first voucher book fell on my doorstep at Uni, but about 6 years ago I started getting into cooking and started finding some of the recipes whether it be Sunday or Saturday from time to time were a complete bin liner full of smelly stuff. Spke to a mate who swore by the Guardian / Observer gang and I haven't turned back since. Currently Hugh is on a Saturday and Nigel Slater on a Sunday (the questions can be very funny for Nige) and never had a bad recipe since.

    For balance though I don't make anywhere near every recipe so I guess it'll take a few more years of experiments to see if they are a more professional than the testers at the Telegraph.

    PS Love the Chintzy labels!

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  6. Jayne25 April 2007 at 07:11

    Well Done, Matt's mum, the marmalade looks superb! Can I order a couple of dozen jars to have for prizes at our local hospice summer fete, please?

    Thanks
    jaynexx

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  7. Luke25 April 2007 at 08:01

    I can't wait to see them on eBay!

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  8. katie25 April 2007 at 08:11

    the package of this jams look v pretty!
    make me want to try a mouth.....
    have you tried to make a blueberries one?
    i luv blueberry jamsss!!!!

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  9. Jordan25 April 2007 at 08:39

    Dont worry love you marmelade will do well, make sure you send me a pot :D

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  10. Rowland25 April 2007 at 11:38

    Go on!

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  11. Paul25 April 2007 at 11:46

    Do it!

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  12. lol26 April 2007 at 10:49

    woo yer jam tastes nice :D

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  13. Marjorie Nicholls26 April 2007 at 11:38

    I make my marmalade with a tried-and-tested recipe. I tried a Gordon Ramsey rice pudding recipe recently and it was a total disaster. I waited for an apology (sorry folks, we had a misprint last week) but nothing of the sort ever appeared.
    I find the minimum amount of sugar I can use for a set is 5+1/2 lbs. when using 3 lbs. seville oranges + 1 or 2 lemons + 6 pints water. Recipe for this amount says 6 lbs sugar but this is a bit sweet for my family. Less than 5+1/2 lbs. does not set properly.
    Have never made three fruits marmalade - you have inspired me!

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  14. Carole27 April 2007 at 01:11

    Home made jams and marmalades make the world better place. Good job, Matt's mum. x

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  15. Beth the barmy old fool27 April 2007 at 09:19

    wow good idea
    you go girl!
    marmalade rocks my socks!!!!
    sounds yummy
    mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.................................
    (licks lips) =0)

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  16. Joanne28 April 2007 at 00:50

    Well done!

    The packaging looks so pretty I'd definitely buy some. My Grandma loves marmalade and yours would be ideal for a little present for her. Good luck!

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  17. Tamara28 April 2007 at 09:31

    Congratulations Matt's mum on your new marmalade recipe, looks delicious!!!
    Let me know if you decide to sell it on EBAY!! Why don't you just sell one at a time so it is only £3quid postage, would be worth it :) x

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  18. Debbie28 April 2007 at 12:53

    I think its a great idea, from one Deb to another Deb - cant wait to be able to get some, I love marmalade!

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  19. Doogie Hunter23 May 2007 at 10:15

    Go for it! I love marmalade soooooo much.
    GO DEBBIE GO!

    ReplyDelete

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