Where stories are Shared Around the Table
Food has a way of bringing people together.
Around the table, stories are shared, memories are made, and moments are passed from one generation to the next. The meals we return to time and time again often carry more than ingredients, they carry meaning, comfort, and connection.
At Harwell, home has always mattered. It’s where people feel most themselves, where routines are familiar, and where care fits naturally into everyday life. It’s also where food plays a special role, from quiet breakfasts, shared lunches, and familiar dishes that feel like home.
This new blog series is about those moments
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing favourite recipes and the stories behind them, dishes that have been cooked for loved ones, passed down through families, or simply made because they bring comfort and joy. These recipes come from people behind Harwell, and from the wider community we’re proud to support.
Boiled Fruit Cake
This recipe holds a special place for me because my mum loved to make this cake, and she made it often. There was something about the way she cooked; any type of food she made always tasted extra special.
From the simple toast she prepared in the morning to Christmas dinner, her food was filled with warmth and care. But this cake was her favourite. She loved making it and had it down to a fine art. As a little girl, I watched her bake it many times.
Now, with Mum having been gone for over seven years, making this cake brings her back to me. When I taste it, it’s not just the flavour I remember — it’s the memories, the comfort, and the feeling of being at home.
Ingredients:
2 Cups Self Raising Flour
1 Cup Caster Sugar
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Eggs
500g Mixed Fruit
1 Teaspoon Mixed Spice
1 Teaspoon Bicarbonate Soda
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Cups water
Method:
- Place butter, sugar, mixed fruit, bicarbonate soda, water and mixed spice into a saucepan.
- Bring to the boil and gently simmer for 3 minutes
- Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely
- Once cooled, mix in the flour, eggs, and vanilla essence. Stir until combined – do not overmix, as this can make the cake tough.
- Bake at 140 degrees for 1 to 1 1/2 hours
Karrine
Harwell Home Care
As this series continues, we’ll be bringing together recipes and stories from across the Harwell community, from our team, our clients, and the families who support them. Each contribution adds to something shared, familiar, and meaningful.
If you have a recipe that holds a special place in your heart or home, we’d love for you to be part of this. Whether it’s a family classic, a favourite bake, or a simple comfort meal, your recipe and story are warmly welcome.
Together, we’re creating a digital cookbook, that reflects the heart of home.
In our next blog, we’ll continue sharing recipes and stories from our community, beginning with a dish that has been passed down and shared across generations
At Home Around the Table with Harwell
Thank you for reading ‘From our Kitchens’ blog series, if you would like to share a recipe and story with your Harwell community, please Contact Us
