Rhubarb!

Well here we are in June- the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the weeds are growing, but so is the rhubarb! One of Orkney's most reliable fruit crops, there can't be many gardens in the islands without a rhubarb patch and the accompanying favourite family recipes for crumble or jam.

This year however we were alerted to a recipe new to us, but tried and tested by the Orkney College restaurant and printed in their All Stirred Up cookbook. Orkney Rhubarb Cake features 1 1/2lb of rhubarb simply washed and prepared and then slow baked, layered between the cake mixture.

We have to admit to being unconvinced by the cake's appearance when it went into the oven, but what came out can only be described as delicious! Served hot with Orkney ice cream it makes a fabulous pudding, but is just as good cold.

If you would like to try the recipe for yourself then you'll be pleased to know we've returned the Stromness copy so it is ready and waiting, all you need to do is pick the rhubarb.

Please feel free to share your own favourite rhubarb recipes in the comments below.

All stirred up.

If, like us, you are in denial about the rapidly approaching festive period - despite the arrival of  tinsel and Santas in the shops in October, we have refused to set up our display of Christmas books - then you will be as shocked as we were to discover that it really is time to start preparing, for tomorrow is Stir-up Sunday. 

The last Sunday before the start of Advent is traditionally the day to make your Christmas pudding and the name comes from the Collect used in the Anglican church on that day:

                 Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord,
                 the wills of thy faithful people;
                that they, plenteously bringing forth
                the fruit of good works,
               may of thee be plenteously rewarded.

We can therefore put it off no longer, and have brought out the Christmas recipe books for those of you still looking for the perfect pudding recipe or thinking of trying something a bit different this year. We have lots to choose from, including traditional recipes from Mrs Beeton  and Delia Smith as well as some with a local flavour from Alan Bichan and Liz Ashworth. 

We also have lots of books full of ideas and tips to help you get ahead with your festive planning and preparations, so pop in and borrow one today - but we promise the library will remain a tinsel and Santa free zone until at least the start of December!

New email address

Having asked you to share your favourite Orkney recipes with us we discovered that you would find that very difficult as our email address wasn't working! So apologies if you have been in touch and are wondering why we haven't got back to you.

We how have a new email address stromnesslibrary@orkney.gov.uk and would love to hear from you so do please get (back) in touch, especially if you have any yummy recipes to share.

Orkney feasts

With memories of the Tall Ships and Shopping Week slowly fading and more than a week before the Dounby Show  there is time to catch our breath and consider the other pleasures of summer.

The weather may be somewhat temperamental but even if barbecues end up indoors, and picnics involve woolly hats and waterproofs, this is the time to enjoy Orkney produce at its best. Whether you need inspiration, are looking for new ways to cook old favourites, or are in search of the definitive recipe for bere bannocks or clootie dumpling then our selection of Orkney cook books is bound to have what you're looking for.

In our quest to promote the importance of public libraries we are not above bribing you with food - we have been known to tempt unsuspecting passers-by into the library on the promise of a certain staff member's famous meringues!

We would love to hear your favorite recipes using local produce - we might even have a shot at making them and share the results with you if they are suitably mouthwatering.