Not a Carrot

Today was a classic summer’s day, a cliché almost.  Wall to wall sunshine, a warm but gentle breeze, a sky unsullied by clouds.  Apart from quick drying washing and an evening barbecue, this unusual occurrence was not taken advantage of.  It was not a working day and I had things to do that did not involve gardening, I needed to work indoors.  I am not a domestic goddess.  I do not make jam or marmalade, I once made chutney but as I don’t like chutney this was not a great success.  Pickled onions and shallots are a thing of the past.  If the locusts (locals) have left some fruit I will make sloe gin.  I bake only on occasion, my flower arranging technique is “bung them in”, there are no Christmas garlands or sun-dried herbs.  However I am a demon at making rosemary oil.   For those of you interested my method is as follows:

• First pick a load of rosemary.
• Beat it into submission with a rolling pin and stuff it into a container of your choice.  I use a spaghetti jar, quite why there is one of these in our house I have no idea, but at least this makes good use of it.
• Push similarly whacked cloves of garlic and a couple of chillies (yes I know it looks like a carrot) into the jar.
• Pour in enough oil to cover.  The profession DG’s would say use “bland” oil but I find that an insulting description.  I would prefer to say it is best not to use the highly flavoured ones such as olive.  It is however your party, use whatever you like.  Today I used a mix of sunflower and rape seed.
• Stand back and admire your handiwork.
• Every day or, more realistically when you remember, give it a shake and after a couple of weeks it is ready.
• Strain off the gunky stuff and bottle up.
• Use to it to cook your roast potatoes in and you will thank me for ever more.