Dulcie May Kitchen Newsletter

April 2009

A Celebration of Life!

On Saturday March 28th 2009 Dulcie May passed away. I was lucky enough to spend time with her the night before she passed away which I will always remember.

We had an amazing day for Grans funeral, the weather was just as she loved it...not a cloud in the sky. Just like those days she would sit on her deck watching the birds and viewing her garden, especially the Fred's special rose he gave her many years ago. It was a celebration of a life lived with such passion and determination.

My cousin, Rachel Booker, wrote and read the poem below at Gran's funeral and I would like to share it with you all. I felt it portrayed a great picture of her life and how, we as grandchildren, remember her. I hope you enjoy it!

Natalie Oldfield

We loved going to visit our Gran and Pop
Making the journey without a stop,
We'd leap from the car, as it pulled up to the verge
Wanting to eat the boysenberries but resisting the urge.
Out past the garage, the glasshouse and flowers
To sit under the feijoa tree for what felt like hours
My first memories of gorging on fruit
Were from Gran and Pops garden and enjoying their loot
Over in the glasshouse we watched Pop tender to and love
The lettuce and tomatoes that were growing above
We'd wander inside get a good kiss from Gran
Not to mention the type of kiss she served fresh baked with jam

Her baking was legendary we all know that
If we stayed there too often we'd likely get fat
Her sponges were fluffy, her peanut brownies just right
Even homemade cream crackers were incredibly light
If it was winter the house would be toasty and warm
When we visited we came to expect a certain kind of 'gran norm'
It was always a treat to visit our grandparents, and then just Dulcie May
The once huge garden got smaller but never went away
I watched, and savoured her bottling and pickling to waste not
Was allowed to choose any jar from the store room on our way out

Gran also taught me to treasure and love and not let fruit and veg go to waste
I've since found many unloved fruit trees bearing fruits with a great taste
Next door an apple tree's fruit is rotting on the ground so with baby on hip
I talk to the neighbours whose apple's they are, they say yip
They say of course , help yourself, we have more than we can eat.
For me to cook and use all these apples would be quite a feat
So I distribute the apples to family and friends and other mums
All over Auckland its now baby food, making for full and contended tums
In memory of Gran I made apple cake for the wake from these golden delicious
It's not too sweet, nice and dense and quite nutritious

My Fiancé Mike reminisces some of the more recent times of our Gran
Sitting in the lounge drinking tea, sharing stories , eating scones with butter and jam
Butter makes it taste better she would say,
I'll have a bit more if you'll pass it this way
A twinkle in her eye , she was sharp as a tack , and still had a new story or 3
As far as great grans go I think you ‘d all agree
That she was a pretty special lady, a mum and great grandmother
I only had one gran but I didn't need another

Her legacy lives on in Grans Recipes now
A friend of my friends bought the book and said to my friend wow
I have this new cookbook it's the best one I've got
I've made so many recipes and want to cook the lot
I'm recommending it to everyone I love it so much
When I heard that a stranger loved the book I was touched
It brightened my day, the day I heard Gran had passed
She's now with all her other passed loved ones at last.
Bye Gran!!!

 

Recipe of the Month

Marmajam Fruit Cake

250g self raising flour 

3 eggs

1/4 tsp pure almond essence

1/4 tsp pure vanilla essence

1 1/2 tsp mixed spice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

250ml cold water

200g sultanas

200g raisins

100g currants

150g butter

170g brown sugar

2 tbs marmajam

Juice and rind of 1 lemon

In a saucepan put the cold water, fruit, brown sugar, lemon juice, lemon rind, marmajam and spices. Bring to the boil over a low heat.  Simmer for 5 minutes, remove from the heat and cool.

Beat eggs well and add with the flour to the cold fruit mixture.  Mix well to blend all the ingredients.

Pour mixture into a greased and lined square cake tin.  Bake in a 150C for 1 3/4 hours or until a skewer comes out clean.

Dulice Tip:  Wash dried fruit well before use.

Hot Products

DMK Marmajam

In celebration of Gran we have chosen a favorite and original product of hers.  Marmajam is similar to marmalade in flavour but has more of a jam texture.  It is made with lemons, grapefruit and oranges.  For those of you who love marmalade...give this a try. 

Marmajam is available for a limited time instore and on our website www.dulciemaykitchen.com.

DMK Peanut Brownies

Peanut Brownies have been a special 'Granny' present for family and friends on many occasions.  These are proving to be a popular take home gift for many regulars at Dulcie May Kitchen.

Whats New

Feijoa Chutney is now instore!

We are enjoying it on party cheese scones toasted with cheese, tomato and avocado.  A perfect autumn treat! Don't miss out...order today at www.dulciemaykitchen.com or purchase instore at Dulcie May Kitchen.

Dulcie's Favourite

Aprons

Gran was a renowed designer, seamstress and pattern maker.  She always loved good quality aprons that were comfortable as well as practical.  She spent many hours in the kitchen throughout her life so being comfortable was always important.

We have handmade aprons, made from Gran's pattern, instore now.  The current stock has been sewn from material we've discovered in Grans's sewing cupboard making each apron unique.

Quote of the Month

'We load up on porridge in the morning so we'll live forever.  Then we spend the rest of the day living like there's no tomorrow'