Spiced Pickled Onion and Beetroot in Vinaigrette

My mum and dad have had a very productive summer in the allotment and my mum has been busy preserving some of their produce. These yummy spiced red onions are made from a Use Real Butter recipe which is amazing. They have a much more interesting taste than the often ridiculously sharp large pickled onions you get in store. I think jars of this would make a wonderful present and it is a great way to use up a glut of red onions. I also made some 'pickled beetroots' which are marinaded in a sweet spicy vinaigrette as I didn't want to just repost someone elses recipe although if just one more person tries these onions because of me it will definitely be worth my time posting this. Both these recipes are great for impatient people like myself as both can be eaten as soon as they are made. These recipes are wonderful with bread and cheese or cold meat. 

 

Lemon & Orange Curd

One of my Dad's favorite things is lemon curd preferably dolloped into pastry to make a lemon curd tart (known rather unpleasantly as lemon turd carts in our family following an amusing slip of the tongue by a young relative). It is divine spread on toast or a pancake. An old family friend used to make the best lemon curd tarts with homemade lemon curd and although this curd recipe isn't quite as good (I lack her 60+yrs experience) it is still delish and perfect to use in baking. Unfortunately, she passed away just over a year ago and making this is reminds me fondly of her and my dad who is currently thousands of miles away. I will be attempting to make mine into gluten free cupcakes so look out for the recipe.I made mine with lemon and orange but you can use just one citrus fruit if you prefer just remember to increase the amount of sugar to taste if all lemon and the reverse for all orange.