Killerton Apple Recipe: Cardamom Apple Sauce

Cardamom Apple Sauce 

Apples are simply marvelous. They are probably one of the world's most popular fruits for this very reason.  In cakes and pies, poached, candied, baked, brandied - you can do so much with them it's kind of insane - and did I mention cider? Because you know....cider.

In the supermarkets, you'll generally find no more than 10 varieties of apple at any given time and most of those are from far flung places like South Africa, New Zealand or America. What gives? There is more to appledom than Royal Galas and there plenty of apple varieties that grow in England and are ripe for the picking throughout the year.  In fact, just up the road at the Killerton House estate, they're growing 100 varieties of old English apples in their orchards alone! I was lucky enough to get a box of these tasty little fruits and have been whipping up a few seasonal recipes with some of their delightfully pink apples and have been loving the results.  

This is an incredibly simple recipe for what may very well be the classiest apple sauce I have ever eaten. Cardamom is so fragrant, so light, so beautiful, it plays perfectly with a the crispness of a fresh apple. It's almost a dessert on it's own, but for me it was the first step for few more apple based recipes to come. 

Stay tuned for Apple Nice Cream, Apple Waffles and more.

Chopped but not pealed, because I love the texture.

Cardamom Apple Sauce

•  6 coarsely chopped small eating apples
• 15 green cardamom pods
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon  
• water

1. Add cardamom pods to two inches water in steamer and steam apples for about 10 minutes or until soft. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Add apples, lemon juice, and cinnamon to food processor AND open up the cardamom pods from the steamer water, to add the seeds of 10 pods to the apples and then blend.

Apple Recipe: Rum Raisin Apple Crumble

Rum Raisin Apple Crumble

In honour of Killerton House's up coming annual Apple and Cider Festival and National Apple Day, I have challenged myself to put together a collection of apple recipes to ring in the new season.

Now nothing says autumn to me like apple crumble and this one's got a bit a of a kick with a nice spiced rum and some raisins! As with most things, it's all about the ingredients, so if you've got a nice bunch of organic Killerton apples, like did, then you're off to a winner and if you've got a good quality rum, then all the better!  Serve it how you like it with custard, ice cream or whipped cream, but it's got to be done!

Rum Raisin Apple Crumble

Ingredients

1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup rum
4-5 coarsely chopped and peeled cooking apples
2 cups flour
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp margarine

1. Preheat oven to Gas Mark 6.
2. Soak raisins in rum for about 10 minutes - or in my case as long as it takes you to peel and chop the apples!
3. Combine flour, sugar and margarine in a bowl and squeeze into crumbly bits with your hands. 
4. In a large bowl mix the apples, rum, raisins and cinnamon, then place in an oven proof dish. Pour the crumble mixture on top and place in the oven for 40 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Autumn is for Apples: Killerton Apple & Cider Festival Rings in the Season

Exeter's local National Trust property, Killerton House, is ringing in the harvest with their annual Apple and Cider Festival. On Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 October, visitors to their Sparrow Park orchard will be treated to food, drink, song, and yarn bombing at their annual event.

Along with the cider festival, they're laying on a hog roast, morris dancers, live bands, a magician, wood crafts, archery, cycle tours, cider press demonstrations and more. Not to mention the fact that it's all going to look blooming magical with all the leaves changing colours.

This epically autumnal event is in honour of National Apple Day and Killerton's truly epic apple collection. With over 500 acres of traditionally managed orchards on the Killerton estate, they are growing 100 varieties of old English apple including the Killerton Sweet and Killerton Sharp which originate there. Killerton's wardens and volunteers produced an award-winning cider using a 200 year old farm press, as well as apple juice, apple chutney and orchard honey. And because they use traditional methods, the apples are grown without any chemicals, fertilisers or pesticides.

I was lucky enough to get a hold of a box full of some of their summer harvest and have been whipping up a few recipes to countdown to the event and celebrate this fabulous fruit. In the weeks to come, I will be sharing them here on the blog, so keep an eye out for tastiness.

Best of Exeter's Jubilee Events

Exeter Cathedral from Princesshay

There is bunting absolutey everywhere and enough union jacks to make your eyes blurry, but it's finally here, the bank holiday we've all been waiting for, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee! Royalists and Republicans alike will no doubt be enjoying the extra few hours in bed, an absurd amout of cake and, fingers crossed, some good weather in Exeter. Though it's tempting to spend the weekend in bed, there are lots of great events around town this weekend, so grab a hat, put on your red, white & blue and go meet the neighbours.

Source: Radio Exe

Exeter Respect Festival @ Belmont Park, Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 June
The Respect Festival has come a very long way in just a few short years. From humble beginnings at the Exeter Phoenix to a regular Playday in the Park, to Exeter's biggest outdoor music event of the year. I am lucky enough to be part of two local bands that are playing on each day - The Bitterati on Satruday and Stalie & Knight on Sunday -  and there are lots of other awesome groups, dance troops, tasty food, community projects, arts and crafts there too. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing, Laid Blak, NUMB and Dakar Audio Club.

Crickey Queenie It's Vintage @ Exeter Thistle Hotel, Saturday 02 June, 10.30 - 4pm, £2

For their 1940's inspired vintage fair you can expect a host of delightful retro goodies with crafts, music, make up and more. Back in the day delights will include a vintage tea dance with Company B and DJ Louie Louie to complete with dance floor!  A raffle to help raise money for TheWomen's Land Army Tribute charity. Not to mention over 50+ stall holders of vintage and handmade goodies, new sellers added everytime, as well as the good old favourites! Two vintage fashion, Pop up beauty parlour, Retro photo-booth,  Make & take sessions with La di da presents The Sewing Sanctuary, and Rivka's fantastic fascinator workshop.

Lord Mayor's Street Party @ Exeter Guildhall, Sunday 03 June at 1:30pm
Pary frocks on! Hats at the ready! It's party time! The Lord Mayor accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, Deputy Lord Mayor & Deputy Lord Mayoress will host  a Diamond Jubilee Celebration Tea Party for local children in front of the Guildhall.

Source: Kim of the Topsham Food Festival

Topham Food Festival @ Topsham High Street, Saturday  to Sunday 3 June
Food music, and events, Topsham is readying itself for fabulous long weekend with their Topsham Food Festival. The centre piece of Topsham's Jubilee event will be 'Nello's Longest Table' taking over Fore Street from 2pm on Sunday where visitors will be able to enjoy communal meals of local and locally sourced food and drink in a unique atomsphere of community and interantional friendship. If you can't make in on the Sunday, be sure to tune into the live broadcast on Radio Exe 107.3 FM.

Jubilee Party on the Green @ QEII (formerly Wonford Playing Fields), Saturday 3pm
The Wonford Jubilee Celebrations Party on the Green will take over the newly named Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields with a fun day will be officially opened by deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Percy Prowse. Attractions will include a dog show, fairground rides, a bouncy castle, strong-man competition and a tug of war between local pubs. At 7.30pm, a major city-wide talent show, Youth Factor, will be held at Wonford Community Centre. A firework display will round-off the celebrations at the playing fields at 10pm.

Souce: National Trust

Last night at the Proms @ Killerton House, Monday 4 June
Celebrate the Jubilee in style and join us for this family concert in the park. Bring rugs and flags and enjoy a summer evening with one of the South West's premier brass bands.Adult £15, child £5, family £35. Call 0844 249 1895 to book or buy your tickets online.