I have been away this week and got back to very little food in the house. I did discover however that I had a good crop of ripe blackberries in the garden. I didn’t have enough for a jam making session so decided to make them into a compote instead. I started with 1lb 4oz of washed blackberries in a pan, I like a bit of spice so added seven cloves (I prefer odd numbers and seven is my favourite) and a large stick of cinnamon. If you don’t like as much spice as me use less cloves. Add a couple of teaspoons of sugar or some honey again its up to you how sweet you like it, I prefer it to be a bit tart. Add a splash of water and the juice of half a lemon and simmer gently for anywhere between five and ten minutes until the fruit has softened and released lovely deep red juices.

I had some gluten free bread in the freezer so just had a simple tea of buttery toast and a pot of spicy blackberry compote. It was so nice I had the same again for breakfast! Next time I think I will have a lump of mature cheddar cheese with it to as I have a feeling it will go perfectly, and what meal is not enhanced by the addition of cheese?