Cyder with Eloise

This post is inspired by the Kinks song of the same name and this is the first post in a new feature; reviewing the best of the recipes and foodie blogs I have read over the past 3 months, with a selection of Flickr favourites to set the mood.

14th September 2009 saw the passing of a true British icon Keith Floyd. Julia from ‘A Slice of Cherry Pie’ and James from ‘Back to the Chopping Board’ arranged a Farewell to Floyd Food Blogging Event. My entry was ‘Chuck Wagon Pork & Beans’.

September was also my first go at a Daring Bakers challenge, and currently my last. I may have failed at the first hurdle, but I have enjoyed reading posts about the other challenges, including Nora the Kitchen ‘Splora’s Macaroons, and Moonberry Juices Vietnamese Chicken Pho.

The summer has drawn to a close but it doesn’t stop me dreaming of camping. Check out the Flickr group camping under canvas for some great bell tent shots.

In October I was in Cornwall and staying just up the road from the Camel Valley Vineyard. Unfortunately it was too late in the year for us to do a tour, so I had to make do with a glass of their Bacchus and reading a post from ‘Around Britain with a Paunch’.

I grew sweetcorn for the first time this year. I gave it a go after I read it was almost impossible to mess it up. Not being particularly green fingered that is just what I needed. We only grew enough for a few corn on the cobs, but next year I hope to grow more and then I can make corn fritters – recipe from Cupcakes and Cornwall.

Oxtail is a cut of meat that makes me think of thick gravy’s and warming stews, just the thing to cook up as the nights draw in. When combined with Rioja and Chorizo I don’t think you can go wrong as in this recipe from Essex Eating.

I love the autumnal images of Pumpkins in this post by Amanda at Mocking Bird. I think pumpkin goes very well with cumin and coriander so I made a spicy pumpkin soup, but I may try this recipe from The Hungriest Hippo next time which includes apples – Curried Parsnip and Apple Soup.

French Onion soup can be enjoyed at any time of year but I like this recipe from Molly Watson of The Dinner Files as she has used cider to make this soup a particularly autumn inspired recipe.

Shameless Plug Alert!
In November my site was listed on the Dorset Cereals Little Blog Awards. Now I just need a few more votes, so don’t be shy

Top Hits for Cyder with Eloise – Autumn 2009
1: Slow roasted tomatoes
2: Christmas cake
3: Beetroot brownie
4: Pear and almond
5: Moroccan stuffed marrow

Best Meal Out: The Cock, Hemingford
Best Meal In: Chuck Wagon Pork & Beans

Check out this great print that I won in October from sfgirlbybay – it made my week.

Flickr favourites
1. Deer, Oh Deer…, 2. Bellman the Finnish Hound, 3. Sunday Lunch, Roast Beef, London, 4. i was tagged!, 5. Have A Lovely weekend, 6. Cinnamon Swirls, 7. Fruity, 8. the caterpillar, 9. Rose Glow, Blue Behind, 10. Heirloom Tomatoes, 11. Beetroots 3 types Remfresh, 12. Beetroot, 13. Welcome Great Pumpkin, 14. Lancashire Hotpot with oyster, 15. windfall plums with lavender, 16. Three Windfall Apples, 17. this wild rose …, 18. almanack

If you liked this post please come back in March for our Winter Almanac.