And I just left you hanging. I am sorry. I've been busy eating.
The word Ray used to describe this creation was "fantasmagoric" I think. Aidan's friend who was here for dinner said "Omigawd, Aidan, can I move in here?" High praise, indeed. Fresh ingredients, simply prepared - nothing more.
More of those vegetables were grilled an thrown into a yummy risotto that Ray made. Leftovers of that will be my lunch today.
The pickles are delicious. The bread and butter chips taste exactly like they are supposed to. The dill that Ray made have a wonderful crunch and are just sour enough.
"But what about the blackberry jelly?" you ask.... Trial and error. Super Confident Me did not do a test batch. Super Confident Me cooked and processed about 30 jars in one marathon session. Super Confident Me was horribly deflated to discover none of it jelled to Super Confident Me's satisfaction.
Ugh.
Deflated Me had to open up every jar. Deflated Me had to clean and re-sterilize everything. Deflated Me had to hubble bubble toil and trouble over the burning fire and bubbling cauldron for another afternoon.
Happy Me got jelly. Happy Me made some cute labels of the cute berry pickers for the lids of the jelly.
Now I am back to Super Confident Me and saw the wild mustang grapes growing by the side of the road. Super Confident Me went and picked a bunch.
Super Confident Me's kitchen looked like a murder scene as I rendered all the lovely, tart juice.
Super Confident Me has a couple of pitchers of juice which will make maybe about ten pints or so of jelly. Should I do a test batch? What do you think?
But dang. I have to go to the boring old tire store. The story of the wild mustang grape jelly will have to wait for another day.
Oh, the suspense! What will you do!?