Notes from the Jam Cupboard by Mary Tregellas
This is a wonderful collection of recipes for preserves of all kinds, including ideas about how to eat them and recipes for cooking with them. It is mostly about jam, but interspersed with anecdotes, literary quotations, a little bit of history and the odd folk remedy thrown in for good measure. It is beautiful to look at, entertaining to read and practical to follow. After a chapter on equipment and techniques, the book is organized into sections that are guaranteed to inspire the reader: Luscious, Juicy, Crunchy, Tangy, Tropical, Wholesome, Aromatic, Wild, Intoxicating and Daily Bread. The recipes cover jams, marmalades, curds, chutneys, ketchup, jellies, pesto and pastes, flavoured oils, cordials, flavoured vodkas and breads. With over 100 recipes, beautiful photographs and fascinating anecdotes, this is a book to treasure.