English Style Jam

~ Soft ripe fruit with high pectin levels for example, plums, greengages etc.
~ Lemon juice for extra pectin (optional)
~ Preserving sugar
~ Water

Chop fruit into small pieces.

Measure out the fruit in cups and put into a large pan. For every two cups of fruit use just a quarter cup of water.

Cook the fruit for 15/20 minutes.

Then add one cup of preserving sugar for every two cups of fruit. Stir well and allow to boil for 15/20 minutes until it starts to set.

If it wrinkles and forms a skin, it's ready.

Pour into clean dry jam jars  - allow to cool before covering with a clean lid.

MAC Eyeshadows

And the obsession begins...

EDIT: Since February 2012, the original contents of this post were outmoded, deleted and replaced by the post entitled: Eyeshadow Addict.

Cloud Ear & Gold Needle

One of Domestic Goblin's Favourite Childhood Chicken Dishes

~ Chicken
~ Cloud Ear Fungus

~ Dried Chinese Honeysuckle

~ Chinese mushrooms
~ Red dates
~ Ginger
~ Spring onions
~ Sugar
~ Salt
~ Cornflower
~ Dark soya sauce
~ Oil
~ Cooking wine

Ingredient quantities will vary according to how many people you are cooking for and/or the size of the serving dish.

Soak the dried ingredients for at least two hours - then trim and cut them.

Cut up the chicken into small pieces.

Toss everything into a bowl with your hands.

Transfer onto a shallow dish and steam for 20 minutes.

Chicken and Papaya Soup

~ Chicken on the bone (skinless)
~ Papaya (peeled and cored)
~ Pork spare ribs
~ Carrot
~ Sliced ginger
~ Chinese mushrooms (soaked)


Vary the quantities according to how many people you are serving.

Pull all the ingredients into a sauce pan and add water.

Bring to the boil and simmer for 2/3 hours.

Add salt to taste before drinking.





* Oh chicken, how much I have missed thee, why doth thou hurt me so? *