Make the Most of Your Fruit: Sweet & Spicy Orange Chutney

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Ann

It’s surprising to realize that oranges aren’t considered to be in season until the early winter months. From January to March, orange crops are at their peak, but what of the remaining nine months? If you tend to crave a juicy orange segment in the summer months, you’ll find this recipe a treat! Make batches of this chutney at the end of the orange season and store it in a cupboard and then in the fridge once opened. It’ll last well into the next orange season.

An orange chutney will deliver the flavoursome goodness of a ripe orange even out of season. A good chutney is a cinch to make and is versatile, so you can use it in each meal. Start your day with a few slices of wholemeal toast dressed in butter and orange chutney. Mix it with cream cheese and serve with soda crackers or baguette discs for a quick snack. Spoon a portion onto a turkey burger for a tasty relish or serve instead of applesauce with a roast pork dinner.

Simple Sweet & Spicy Orange Chutney

What you’ll need:

1tbsp chopped chillies
1tbsp salt
1.5 litres clear vinegar, halved
2tbsp ground ginger
2kg oranges
450g sultanas
500g onions, peeled and chopped
900g apples, peeled, cored and chopped
900g sugar

Method:

1. Boil the onions for 10 minutes. Add the apples and continue to cook for a further 15 minutes.

2. Peel the oranges using a vegetable peeler and remove the pith with a knife.

3. Slice the peel into strips and blend the remaining orange pulp using an electric blender.

4. Add all of the orange bits to the pan with the onions and the apples.

5. Season with salt, ginger, chillies and half of the vinegar.

6. Simmer for about an hour or until the peel is tender.

7. Add the rest of the vinegar along with the sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar and until the mixture has thickened.

8. Bottle in glass clipseal or canning jars.

Like this recipe? why not check out some other delicious fruit tree recipes

Discover our range of citrus trees, including orange and lemon trees >>

Make the Most of Your Fruit: Fanned Pear Tarte Tatin

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Ann

One of our favourite things about our Conference Pear tree is the fruit it produces. These tasty, firm-fleshed pears make delicious, healthy snacks plucked straight from the tree, but with just a little bit of time and effort in the kitchen, they can enliven any dessert.

Flavourful and one of your Five a Day, pears are appetizing when poached in a sweet red wine or sliced and griddled in honey. Stuff them with raisins, sultanas and a bit of Demerara and bake for 20 minutes on a low temperature. Finish off with a drizzle of cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon for a warming, indulgent dessert.

One of the most popular desserts featuring cooked pears is the French classic Tarte Tatin, which is basically just an upside pear or apple tart. According to French folklore, the dish was invented by accident by the Tatin sisters in their restaurant some 200 years ago. Today, the dish still impresses with its soft, baked fruit and tasty pastry. It works well served with Chantilly cream, but a good-quality double cream would do nicely, too. Here’s our recipe for an easy summer dessert that the whole family will love.

Fanned Pear Tarte Tatin

What You’ll Need:
For the pears
2 large Conference pears
300g sugar
570ml water

For the caramel
50g unsalted butter
250g caster sugar

For the puff pastry
50g unsalted butter, melted
375g store-bought puff pastry

Method:

Combine the water and sugar in a pan that is large enough to cover the pears, place over a medium heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until tender. Once cooked, leave to chill in fridge.
Once the pears are chilled, cut into quarters lengthways, remove the core so that you are left with a flat side. Start an inch from the tip of the pear and slice lengthways, making sure to leave the stem end intact. Create a fan by applying a little pressure with the heel of your hand.
For the caramel, place the butter and sugar into an ovenproof dish and heat gently until the sugar dissolves. When the sugar has dissolved, allow it to bubble until it turns a golden caramel colour.
Arrange the fanned pears fan side down in the caramel. Roll out the chilled, ready roll pastry over top of the pan. Prick all over with a fork or skewer. Brush the pastry and the edge of the dish with the melted butter.
Place the tart into a preheated oven at 200°c and cook for 30 minutes.
After removing the tart from the oven, let it cool for about 10 minutes before turning out onto a plate.
Serve with cream or ice cream.

Check out some other delicious fruit tree recipes

Make the Most of Your Fruit: Lemon Poppyseed Drizzle Loaf

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Ann

Fruit trees are more than just a great addition to any garden; they’re also a great addition to a larder or pantry! There’s nothing quite like homegrown food—the satisfaction found in knowing that you grew it and the joy that accompanies reaping the delicious benefits of hard work.

Not a pastime for those who seek instant gratification, gardening requires patience and the investment of time and effort to yield remarkable outcomes. The same can be said of cooking, and when you combine the two, you get a brilliant result.

Of course, just plucking a piece of fruit from a tree can be satisfying and tasty, but going one step farther and transforming that fruit into a stunning dessert is even more special! Over the next few weeks, we’ll share with you some recipes you can use to make the most of the fruit from our trees (discover our citrus trees range).

You will need some home grown Lemons!

First up is an easy, lemon poppy seed drizzle loaf, the whole family will love. The moist sponge of this loaf is filled with sharp lemon flavours and finished off with a naughty lemony drizzle. Serve this cake with a strong cuppa for a tasty afternoon snack or have a slice for a quick breakfast on the run. Enjoy it warm or at room temperature, dished with vanilla ice cream or lashing of clotted cream and blueberries. No matter what you pair it with, we’re sure you’ll love it!

What you’ll need:
For the sponge
zest of 2 lemons
4 large eggs
30g poppy seed
225g unsalted butter, softened
225g caster sugar
225g self-raising flour

For the drizzle
juice of 2 lemons
75g caster sugar
10g vanilla sugar

Method:
Preheat your oven to 180C for fan-assisted oven, 160C for normal ovens. Using an electric whisk or a food processor, combine the unsalted butter with 225g of caster sugar until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, slowly incorporating them into the fat and sugar. Combine the flour with the poppy seeds and sift them into the mix. Lastly, add the lemon zest and mix to combine.

Line an 8 x 21cm loaf tin with greaseproof paper and spoon in the mixture. Bake for about 45 minutes, until a cocktail stick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool in its tin on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, prepare the drizzle by mixing together the juice of two lemons, the remaining caster sugar and the vanilla sugar. With the cake still warm, prick the top of the cake all over with the cocktail stick or a fork and pour over the drizzle. Leave in the tin until it is cooled completely.

How to Give Your Trees a Summer to Remember

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Ann

With the chill of winter in retreat and the promises of lengthier days and pitchers of Pimms in gardens, we begin to create ways to have memorable summers. Whether it’s by booking a vacation at an exotic resort abroad or have a holiday in Blighty, having a summer to remember is at the top of everyone’s agenda. In our haste to pack up and go, we tend to forget about our trees and plants, not realizing that there are changes we can incorporate to ensure they continue to thrive during the warmer months.

As a rule thumb, summers in Britain fail to differ widely from other seasons. Instead of bitterly cold winters and sweltering summers, we tend to have an even keeled climate, with temperatures fluctuating between a handful of degrees or so.

With a reputation for having somewhat mild summers, it is easy for us to forget to pay especially close attention to our trees and plants, yet in climates permeated with balmy nights, remembering to care for plants in the summer is second nature. Although we often don’t have the sticky, searing weather typically associated with summer, our summers can still be stressful times for trees and plants and special care should be taken to give our trees a summer to remember.

As drought tends to occur most frequently in summer, to ensure that your trees and plants remain well-nourished and watered, make sure that your trees have enough moisture stored in their leaves, branches, trunks and roots and incorporate deep watering.

Longer days and mild evenings are the perfect recipe for proper tree pruning, making summer the best time of year to get out the shears. In summertime, the energy stored by trees is constantly on the rise and the foliage has matured, making the tree respond positively to the removal of branches. As growth rates are higher in summer, trees pruned during this season heal quicker and undergo less stress.

Trees that have been cooped up in conservatories all year, tend to appreciate the fresh air and direct sunlight of a warm summer day. Moving your conservatory trees (like citrus trees) out into the open is a great way to take advantage of the warmer days and give your trees a summer to remember. If you plan to do this, make sure that your trees are still getting enough water, but not too much!

Speaking of water, we have some excellent environmentally-friendly tips on how to keep your trees and plants moist this summer by recycling water used in your home. For more info, check out our drought fears post.

10 Reasons to Send a Tree as a Gift this Father’s Day

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Ann

Let’s face it: most of us don’t think about trees unless it’s Christmas, but a tree’s not just for dressing in coloured in lights and baubles. Trees are more than a shelter for beautifully-wrapped presents; trees aren’t just for Christmas.

Your Dad will love a tree as a gift!

We appreciate that the first gift that springs to your mind this Father’s Day may not be a tree, but we don’t think there’s a better way to thank Dad for his support and love. Well, you could maybe buy him a pint, but where’s the originality and the thought in that?

From chopping down the Christmas tree, to bringing in the wood for the fire, traditionally, dads have a long-standing history with trees. As they do with being pillars of support for their families. In fact, a little bit of symbolism is a great way to thank dad for his everlasting strength. Here are 10 more reasons why you should choose a tree for your dad this Father’s Day:

Tree gifts are a brilliant way to honour Dad… they symbolise his unfailing care and steadfast support.
A tree gift is a great way for Dad to leave a legacy. Trees can live for decades and, when planted in a family garden, can stay in the family as an heirloom for years to come.
Dads love to putter about with things and admire their handy work—give Dad the chance to relish in satisfaction and awe of his green thumb with a tree gift this Father’s Day.
Is Dad a stickler for wildlife? An abundance of trees helps the world return to its more natural state attracts an abundance of wildlife and birds.
Honour dad this Father’s Day and save the environment with a tree gift. Planting trees can ease our carbon footprint and help reverse some of the damage from global warming.
Help Dad reclaim his youth with an apple tree this Father’s Day. Apple trees symbolise magic and youth and produce tasty ingredients for pies, too.
If your dad’s garden is his sanctuary, a specifically chosen tree could help to liven up the space and make it more warm and inviting.
Trees have been proven to help improve our lives in a variety of ways—from lessening the recovery time of patients after surgery to making environments feel more like home.
Is Dad a keen gardener? Dotting his garden with trees will help delicate flowers and plants survive harsh winter weather since frost is less common underneath trees.
Trees are the gifts that keep on giving, especially fruit trees. Give Dad a cherry tree this Father’s Day and next year, you two could celebrate Father’s Day trying your hand at a homemade cherry pie.

Britain is Going Tree-Planting Mad for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Ann

Britain has Jubilee fever! Everywhere you look, Union Jack bunting is blowing in the wind, little girls are making paper crowns and mums are rushing about, doing last minute shopping before the community street party.

Here’s something you may not be aware of: many corporations and organisations are even planting Diamond Jubilee commemorative trees! In fact, Britain is going tree-planting mad! From big-named companies like the Woodland Trust, who have worked diligently to ensure that 60 wooded areas were made fit for royalty by this weekend to individuals who want to enhance their gardens, trees are the topic of the moment!

Our friends at the Woodland Trust have been busy little bees this Jubilee season, transforming the face of the country by planting an environment-friendly 3,154,434 trees as a part of their Jubilee Woods initiative.

We’re proud to report that the people of Britain are also going well beyond the Woodland Trust efforts and have taken to planting their own Diamond Jubilee commemorative trees. Allow me to show you some stunning trees we have in stock if you’re looking to spruce up your garden in honor of this occasion. A tree would make a fitting permanent keepsake to celebrate and remember this auspicious event!

Plant Your Own Commemorative Diamond Jubilee Tree

Be the envy of your neighbourhood with one of our Queen Elizabeth Rose bushes. Symbolising grace and elegance, this variety of rose was named in honor of the late Queen Mother. Its striking pink blossoms and deep green leaves combine to create an awe-inspiring plant that would look great in any sunny front garden. Once fully bloomed, the flowers can be cut and arranged in vases indoors, bringing a little bit of the grandeur of our garden inside to be enjoyed no matter the weather. This regal bush deserves top billing and will be a reminder of the Diamond Jubilee for years to come.

If you’re in the market for a smaller tree to commemorate the events of the weekend, then why not consider one of our Dwarf Diamond Peach trees? This tree combines the best of both worlds—prominent pink flowers and luscious, juicy peaches. Just imagine, this time next year, you could fondly remember the Diamond Jubilee with a bouquet of peach flowers from your very own tree whilst enjoying a hearty peach crumble made from your own peaches! We can’t think of a better, tastier way to say God save the Queen!

Maybe you prefer apples to peaches? Well, you’re in luck, we’ve got another royal treat up our sleeves: our lovely dessert apple producing Queen Cox apple tree. This tree does well in south-facing gardens and practically takes care of itself! It’s self-pollinating, does well in more arid soils and it is the apple tree of choice recommended for our English and Welsh climes. Could it get any easier? Just plant it, love it and watch it grow! With the remarkable way this hearty tree looks after itself, you’ll find time to kick up your heels and relax … perhaps, a little daydreaming about what you would do if you were royalty?

We’ve got to admit, we’re a little obsessed with fruit here at Tree2mydoor, and it’s a good thing, too! Our next Diamond Jubilee featured tree is the Snow Queen Nectarine. Closely related to the peach, but with a little more panache, the vibrant red fruit the tree bears is sweet and bursting with vitamin A. With an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society under its roots, this tree knows it’s something special! It bears delicate flowers in the spring and its perfect fruit is ready to be devoured in August, kind of like an end of summer swansong. This tree requires a bit more warmth than a peach tree and, as it loves the limelight, would be best suited for growth in a greenhouse.

Importance of Ceremonial Trees

Now that we’ve shown you how you could commemorate this occasion, let’s take a quick look at the role trees play in commemorating special events. Trees are considered to be the basis of life on earth. We’re all aware that tree help maintain life by the role they play in supplying air for us to breathe. For tens of thousands of years, people have been cutting down and planting trees.

In fact, many countries around the world celebrate a national tree planting day. The first ever recorded day was on 10 April 1872 in America. A record one million trees were planted on that day and the name Arbor Day was given to commemorate the tree planting efforts.

From 1872 until the present, trees have been used to commemorate a myriad of events and special occasions. From memorials to celebrations of life, new business launches and as symbols of love, trees are constantly involved in the way we celebrate and commemorate events. It’s fitting too, because without trees life would cease to exist. Recognising this and responding with a tree is a beautiful act of humility and reverence.

Tree planting has become increasingly popular and important, whether spurred on by the dramatic aerial images of the quickly diminishing rain forests of South America, or done to reduce the impact of climate change, tree planting is an important and necessary part of life. When used to celebrate an occasion, trees become permanent markers and reminders of an event or a loved one’s contribution or life. Trees have a way of sticking with us, of becoming something that we rely on and need, it seems fitting that we honor their nature by involving trees in our celebrations and memorials.