Even Quicker Than Me!

Our first two evenings of culinary delights on Friday and Saturday went brilliantly! I can't believe we did it. It was so much fun and there was a really warm, happy atmosphere in the Jammy Coo.

We were fully booked both nights, (fortunately I did have the foresight to stagger the bookings) but still it required a slick operator in our kitchen to keep things running smoothly and Oh my goodness do we have one in the form of Robert Sinclair!...I thought I was quick in the kitchen but he just takes it to a whole new level. The food he produced was amazing...it looked beautiful and tasted wonderful.

Of course Roberts talents would have been left waiting if it weren't for the efficiency of our team on the floor.. Lorraine, (Robert's Wife) and Tristram, (my Husband). Super and very Slick the pair of them and all our Guests were able to relax and thoroughly enjoy their evening.

We are now full of enthusiasm for our next evenings on the 20th and 21st of April and due to the strength of our first nights they are both now full booked..AMAZING!! But I do now have the dates for May and June, they are the 25th and 26th of May and 22nd and 23rd of June. So if you do fancy a really happy, warm evening with superb food you know where to come! XX

Burning the Candle!

The only draw back about having time off both days this week-end was that I've been playing catch up to feed the hungry hordes....but it was so worth it! My other passion besides Cooking and Painting is Riding my horse and I'm afraid he took priority this week-end. So I rode most of Saturday and then spent a manic evening replacing the cakes that were eaten. I had so much to do that I was going flat out in the kitchen but as the adrenalin gets going then so does the output of 'puds'. I then take great pleasure in reeling off the amount I've cooked to my husband, I don't really know whether he listens or not but he looks suitable startled and does seem to say 'Well Done' at the right moment.....years of practice I think, (I've taught him well!).

So nobody was left wanting this week-end although I did run out of White Chocolate which was very bad of me as I'd already made the base for the White Chocolate Cheesecake so I then had to do a wee about turn and produce a very delicious, creamy, tangy Lemon Cheesecake instead. I promise that the White Chocolate is first on my Shopping List this week so don't panic my WCC Lovers!

Pecan Pie and Bake-well Tarts this week I think...I'm in the mood XXX

Stuffed!

Really, really busy at the JC this week end which was absolutely brilliant, I felt there was a real buzz going on. Some fabulous people through our doors all keen to try our Delicious cakes, paninis, soup and tray bakes....a hungry lot! I was kept very busy in the kitchen and there seems to be an insatiable appetite for my 'Blondies'...still eating them myself and I must stop that!!

The other very exciting thing that happened or should I say delicious, was Tristram and I tasted the whole menu for our Evening Dining that's happening on the 23rd and 24th March. Robert (Chef Extraordinaire) and his lovely wife, Lorraine came over to the JC last night and we tasted all that was on offer...everything was AMAZING, I ate far too much and LOVED it! Tris and I actually felt a bit like John and Greg from Masterchef.....I've always been envious of their job!

I can't wait for our first evening of Fine Dining, our first evening on the 23rd is now fully booked which is brilliant! My next blog I'm hoping to let you have a wee look at the Menu, you're gonna like! XXXX

Excitement at the JC!

Please, if you haven't visited for a while come and see us, we have some gorgeous new products and some stunning new jewellery on display. Our cakes are still really delicious and I'm always trying out new recipes, it was 'Blondies' this week....think 'Brownie' but with White Chocolate, honestly they very nearly didn't make the Pass as I could have swiped the lot before they were even cooled....soooo good!

Our other very exciting news is that at long last Jammy Coo is going to open its doors for evening meals. I can't wait! We have teamed up with the brilliant and talented Chef, Robert Sinclair and he is devising the most incredible menu....(a sample will follow shortly). Jammy Coo is having particular input on the pudding front though! We have chosen the 23rd of March for our first night and we have 4 tables of 4 to offer and 1 table of 6. So if you're interested and want to find out a bit more please contact asap!

Its going to be a great year with great food and great friends.

Delia XXX

Seasons Eatings!

Another year has just flashed by in the Jammy Coo, thank you for all that have been through our doors in 2011 and we hope to see you soon in 2012!

We are open until 23rd December and closed till 4th January.

I've already been thinking about my New Year's Resolutions for 2012 one them is to update my blog more frequently! I know I'm absoloutely terrible, how you put up with me I have no idea!

As you Know I love my cooking and I've enjoyed trying new recipes throughout the year....the most popular has probably been my Fruity Flapjacks (its probably easier to say whats NOT in these than the other way around!) and of course the old favourites, Carrot Cake and White Chocolate Cheescake, infact I just iced another 2 of these this morning!

Although I'm sorry to be shut to my lovely customer's over the festive period I will relish being with my family and enjoy the Christmas cooking with my children (Gabrielle, my nearly 3 year old has just finished making Shortbread Biscuits)....Have to train them up young!!

So please enjoy Christmas, do not stress about the cooking, the main thing is you're with the people you love and there's plenty to drink!! XXX

Late Night Shopping (with Mulled Wine & Fudge!)!!!

Well its that time of year folks, can't quite believe it myself....Late Night Shopping at the Jammy Coo!!! Actually, Hooray because they are sooo much fun and its a great excuse to have an alcoholic beverage bang on 6 0'clock!!!

Of course never fear I have been making lots of my delicious Homemade Fudge, lots of tasting on the way, which is actually pretty painful as hot fudge is pretty sore on the old tongue! But I always say you do have to suffer for your art!! And the Mulled wine just gets better and better, hic!

So please put these dates in your diary and the diaries of your friends.....

Thursday 10th November 6-9pm

Friday 18th November 6-9pm

Friday 25th November 6-9pm and

Friday 2nd December 6-9pm.

Jammy Coo is 'Jammy Packed' with all sorts of goodies and fabulous gift ideas and Stocking Fillers. We have Christmas Cards, Gorgeous Decorations which include Wreaths and Garlands. The jewellery is beautiful and just a wee bit different.

So look forward to seeing you there, everyone is very welcome, some Mulled Wine and my Homemade Fudge awaits you! XXXXX

Lots of love DeliaXXX

Really Fruity Flapjacks Welcome 2011!!

Hooray!! The days are at last getting longer, spring bulbs are appearing and every now and then it feels a few degrees warmer...at last!

Its been a while since I did a wee update but I haven't been sitting idle. Jammy Coo has been very busy welcoming customers through its doors this 2011. All the old favourites are as popular as ever...especially, of course our famous Carrot Cake but I always try and sneak a few new one's in every now and then. We're loving the Lemon Shortbread at the moment, its really tangy and moreish and I can't seem to make enough of the Really Fruity Flapjacks!..perhaps its because they sound healthy but they also taste seriously good!

Lindsey and I travelled to the NEC in Birmingham for the Spring Trade Fair at the beginning of February and had a brilliant time checking out all the new products we'd love to have in the JC. It was MASSIVE but well worth the trip, I can't wait for all my customer's to see the new things I've ordered! Details to follow..

As a little boost to your health and happiness I'm going to give you my Fruity Flapjack Recipe...enjoy they are delicsh!!XX

Really Fruity Flapjacks

5oz Butter
2oz Soft Brown Sugar
5 tablespoons Syrup
8oz Porridge Oats
Pinch of Salt
2oz Dessicated Coconut
2oz Cherries
2oz Sultanas
1oz Craisins (Dried Cranberries, they're delicious)
3oz Chopped Dates

Melt the butter, sugar and syrup together and then when melted add all the other ingredients, stir them well together and press them into a lined baking tray. Place in a pre-heated oven of 170 C for 25 minutes. Done!

Try and wait until cooled slightly before cutting into squares and when you do eat them you'll feel so good about yourself. If by any chance you don't like any of the added ingredients just substitute for something you do like!

Love DeliaXX

Snowed In!

I think there are far worse places you could be snowed in than the Jammy Coo which is just as well because for the last 10 days that's exactly whats happened!!

It's very fortunate that the ovens still work and I've been making delicious soups, Spicy Butternut Squash and Coconut', Broccoli and Stilton, Curried Parsnip and Apple, to name just a few and also some well needed treats in the form of Triple Chocolate Muffins! And of course all our popular regulars such as the ever popular Carrot Cake.

Lets face it now is not the time to count calories, pack 'em in is what I say...You'll need it with the temperatures dropping to Minus 11!!!

These Triple Chocolate Muffins are so easy to make so why don't you give yourself a treat and give them a go..

9oz Plain Flour

3oz Melted Butter
3oz Soft Brown Sugar
3tblsp Natural Yoghurt
2tsp Baking Powder
half tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
10oz Mix of Dark, Milk and White Chocolate Buttons
2 Eggs
1oz Cocoa

Method: Place all ingredients except the Chocolate Buttons in a food mixer and combine well, then add most of the buttons leaving a few aside to put on the top of each button before cooking.
Divide mixture into 12 muffin cases and place in oven at 180oc for 20 minutes and then ENJOY!XX

You Really Have To Be There!

I have just received some photos of one of our Late Night Shopping evenings, doesn't Jammy Coo look absolutely gorgeous?

We have now had 2 evenings and our next one is this Friday 26th November...can't wait! I've loved the last one's and along with some friendly and familiar faces have met some new visitors to the 'Coo' which is fantastic!

If you're free please come and join us this Friday and bring your friends, the Mulled Wine is good but the Fudge is fantastic and I ate far too much of it myself last Thursday so please save me from my greedy self!

Let's Celebrate!

I am very fortunate to have 3 gorgeous sisters and one of whom, Rebecca, is coming to visit today bringing with her, her 2 very beautiful young daughters, Isabella and Ava-Lu. I'm telling you this as whenever I have someone to stay, (especially as its one of my special sisters), I like to cook a favourite of theirs.

I usually need no prompting but I think Rebecca needed to make sure that I made what she's been dreaming about since ever I mentioned it a couple of months back....'Celebration Bars'! I had to get several of those large Red Tubs in from a certain Supermarket and have been making a double batch this morning.. So Rebecca, its safe to arrive now, they're made and they look pretty good!!

Just remembered I have another sister visiting at the beginning of December...lets just say she can be a wee bit fussy! But loving her to bits I see it as a challenge producing something she will really love..Requests Taken!!!!!

Late Night Christmas Shopping!

Just a wee reminder to you all about the first of our Late Night Shopping which starts tomorrow night (Thursday 11th November) 6-9p.m.

It's going to be a fabulous night, I have some really brilliant gifts and the Jammy Coo looks so beautiful decked out in all things Christmasy. Please come along, bring some friends and have a fun, social and shopping evening.

I have made masses of delicious fudge for you all to have a treat of and I have just finished making the equally delicious Mulled Wine....of course I've had to taste...both! So apologiesh for any shpelling mishstakes.

Hope to see you soonXXXXDeliaXXXX

Jammy Coo Does Halloween!

Well, Jammy Coo did do Halloween but not how you think.

Every Halloween our Primary School in Lilliesleaf have a Fancy Dress Party and all the kids have a great time dressing up in all sorts of costumes, (there are lots of stressed out parents at this time scraping together a costume at the last minute!).

My gorgeous daughter, Daisy announced that she and a friend, Mary wanted to be Jammy Coo...Well what could I say? She was quite specific and I was torn by being very pleased although, (how the heck do I do that with only a nights notice!) and this may look bad. I could see the headlines..'Pushy Mother Makes Young Daughter Pose As A Cow To Publicise Her Business'.

Well, I'm afraid 'Pushy Mother' prevailed and duly made a Jammy Coo for Daisy to wear, she looked fab and very funny, the costume is so good I'm considering sending her out onto the High Street!...Never waste an opportunity I say!!

Secret Stash Has Been Compromised!

I'm sorry not to have been in touch recently, things have been pretty busy since the opening of our exhibition and there's a definite buzz happening in the Jammy Coo. It's a combination of all our fantastic new paintings, beautiful new products and just a hint of the festive season upon us, I just love it!

But with reference to my title, my 'secret stash' of chocolate, nae less, has been got at! Shock, horror! I could have understood if it was one of my children but I discovered my husband red handed with his hands covered in MY chocolate! This was almost a catastrophe as I had Extreme Rocky Road to make for the Jammy Coo. I have some very demanding and discerning customers...(you know who you are), and if needs aren't met then I just don't know what might happen!

However, there was a silver lining to my cloud as fortunately he hadn't found my emergency supply, (even I'd forgotten about them), a box of Celebrations, hurray, hurray! So I devised the most delicious concoction instead which basically involved unwrapping all the little darlings and dropping them into a whole bowl of smooth, velvety milk chocolate. I then added a sprinkling of rice krispies and oh joy a delicious new recipe is born...aptly named, Celebration Bars.

Trust me these are a stayer and I'm off to the supermarket on Monday to buy some more of those red boxes. As, if today's reaction to them is anything to go by then I'm going to have to make quite a few more batches before Christmas!

May I quickly add that of course I would have completely forgiven my husband for his lapse if he hadn't then swiped the Celebration Bar that I had kept back especially for my lovely Mother-in-law to try...what can I say?......

Sugar Fix Is Needed In The Jammy Coo!

 

Sugar Fix is most definitely needed for those that attended the ‘Jammy Coo Turns Two’ Exhibition last night so that’s why I’ve given you a mouth watering tray bake to drool over..(nothing to do with the fact I haven’t managed to upload all the photos yet!).

Last night was brilliant and all the paintings and displays looked fantastic, thank you to all those who came to celebrate our 2nd birthday.

Please come and visit us if you have the opportunity, we’d LOVE to see you!XX DeliaXX

Jammy Coo Turns Two is all Under Wraps!

 

The Jammy Coo was nipped and tucked and underwent an Extreme Makeover last night and is looking better than ever in preparation for her grand reveal at tonight’s Private View!

We worked late into the night wrapping up all the paintings so that their contents remain a secret until tonight. It is really strange seeing a gallery filled with paintings that you can’t see! We’ve already had somebody trying to have a wee peek before the preview, but good things come to those who wait!

Jammy Coo is bursting with new goodies and sensational artwork, she really has never looked better, roll on year three!

Doors open at 6pm xx

A Sneaky Peak At Rob Hain's Paintings!

I just had to share these two pieces with you, how amazing are they?

Only Two Sleeps To Go!

Only two sleeps until our exhibition..not that I seem to be getting much I may add! Its a really exciting time and I keep getting parcels and paintings delivered - feels like Christmas.

I was so pleased to receive the jewellery from 'Handmade by Hayley' and its been a joy to unwrap it lay it out and just gaze at it. Its just so pretty and beautifully made and the pieces can be worn with ease during the day or to dress up an outfit at night.

I'm still in awe of the 'Ness' products, really whats not to love about it all? I'm so looking forward to tomorrow evening when we shall be hanging the new paintings and putting all the new items in their special places.

So fingers crossed it all goes well, you'll be pleased to hear we now have the wine and yes it tastes good, wasn't sure after the first glass so had to make sure with a second...hic.

Which One Would You Choose?

I'm going to give you a wee preview of Helen Tabor's work. It's brilliant and the only difficulty for me is to decide which one I like the best..chore!

Things are Hotting Up!

Our exhibition is only days away and things are 'hotting' up. There's always much more to do than you think and always things you remember at the last minute..like the Wine, imagine the scenario of an 'Opening' and no Vino...thankfully my husband is a star and has come to the Jammy Coo rescue, hooray!

Catherine Rayner's paintings arrived at the week-end, they are stunning and I'm so looking forward to hanging them on the walls. I really love her work and I can't wait to see them all up in the Jammy Coo.

I also received four exquisite pictures from Holly Surplice (see above), they are small but extraordinary in colour and presence. Such gorgeous use of colour.

Helen Tabor has sent me jpegs of her work and as ever I'm in awe of her use of brushstrokes and the light that is thrown across her work.

Rob Hain is keeping his under wraps so far but I'm eagerly anticipating his vibrant use of colour and his keen observational skills in his paintings.

I shall revel being amongst such wonderful pieces when I hang the paintings on Thursday evening, can't wait!!

And I so look forward to seeing you all visit the Jammy Coo, if you are able, please let me know what you think, many thanks, DeliaXX

Amended Dates for Late Night Shopping!!

Just a wee reminder for all about the Jammy Coo Late Night Shopping, I have amended the dates slightly after a conversation with Leagh, (Lovely friend), who also happens to be very experienced in the art of socialising! Leagh pointed out that perhaps the Thursdays and Fridays may be better shopping evenings as you could all relax a bit more due to the oncoming week-end and enjoy the delights of the Mulled Wine without worrying about getting back for an early start in the morning! She has made a very good point so I have changed the dates and I hope that one or more will suit you....thank you for your patience, DeliaXX

Dates are as follows: Thursday 11th November, Thursday 18th November, Friday 26th November and Friday 10th December all at 6-9p.m.

I thought perhaps you may like a delicious recipe to keep you going! After some deliberation I have chosen my Millionaire Shortbread, its a fabulous traybake that everybody loves and can be kept in a tin for a week so if you don't feel like sharing you can hide it and swipe pieces whenever you feel at all down, happy, worried, delirious, anxious, cross, hungry, greedy, thin, fat, or just needing a treat!

Jammy Coo Millionaire Shortbread

For the base:
8oz Self Raising Flour
4oz Butter
4oz Caster Sugar

For the Filling:
1 Tin of Condensed Milk
8oz Butter
8oz Caster Sugar
4 tblsp Golden Syrup

Whizz all the base ingredients together in a food processor and then press into a traybake tin that has been greased or lined. Place in oven at 175 oC for 15 mins until golden coloured.

Put all filling ingredients into a large saucepan and melt slowly, stirring regularly. Let the mixture come up to the boil and then stir until the mixture turns a dark fudgy colour this will take aprox 10 to 15 minutes. Pour this onto base and tap the tin to get rid of all the bubbles.

Lick the bowl once its cooled as its VERY hot!!

Once the filling and base have cooled a bit melt really good (ie your favourite brand), of milk chocolate, a large bar should do it and then spread this over the top. Leave to cool and score into as many big or as small portions as you like...enjoy! Love DeliaXX