What to Buy a Chef Bear

I bet you're all sitting there thinking you know exactly what I got for Christmas. After all, can there be a more logical present for a chef than a recipe book? As it happens, this year I didn't get any recipe books. This probably has something to do with the fact that the kitchen cupboards are already overflowing with recipe books, and if I spent any more time reading recipe books, then hungry bears would never get fed (there is quite a constant demand for home cooked meals at the Bear Cave).

I was lucky to receive some wonderful presents but one that particularly took my fancy was the pair of pickle jars that you see me with in my photo ...


These were speciality chilli pickles made by Cottage Delight Speciality Foods. One was a hot chilli pickle, and I got very excited when I read it was an 'intensely hot pickle' as I simply adore hot and spicy food. It certainly goes very well with my curries, and the rest of the chaps have been kind enough to say that as it is my present from them, I shouldn't give too much away. The other pickle was delightfully named 'Chillililli' - what a great name! As it is not really the salad season, I have been enjoying it with my lunchtime sandwiches.

Although I love cooking, it is a special treat to be able to sit down and enjoy fine food, like this, that others have prepared.

Lots of love, Oakley (Head Chef) xxx

Getting Pickled!

The other day we all got pickled, but in the most tasteful way and we remained completely sober. As you can tell from this last comment, it had nothing to do with the Woodforde's brewery delivery man making one of his regular trips to our home.

It did, however, have everything to do with those enormous marrows, grown by Tommy, that we showed you a little while back.


As you can see one of those marrow produced a fine batch of pickle. And it is not just any old pickle. I was following Aunt Jessie from Devon's special marrow chutney recipe with lots of chillies. Aunty Jessie tells me she misses out the chillies, but for all of us in bears Unlimited they are the essential ingredient. Chutney lover, T.B.B., who you see with me in the photo, couldn't wait to taste my delicious chutney, and he also hung around during it's making, I think to make sure I put all the chilli seeds in.

It almost makes winter more bearable, the thought of sitting round the fire enjoying the chutney with our lunches.

If anyone wants the recipe, I'll happily send it to you.

Lots of love, Chef Bear Oakley xxx