My friend Eke made us Dutch Baby Pancakes for breakfast when we stayed with them in Canada last year on our way back from our Journey to the Arctic. They were so simple and delicious and make an impressive breakfast or brunch dish (and of course I had to get the recipe). I thought it was very appropriate because Eke is Dutch but I've since discovered that the origin is actually from German baked pancakes and that it was a mispronunciation of 'Deutsch' that has continued over the … [Read more...]
Blueberry Sauce Recipe
Blueberry Syrup is one of my favourite recipes (and a great gift), but I wanted to make a quick blueberry sauce recipe that had whole blueberries in it rather than just as a syrup. This Blueberry Sauce Recipe is designed to be eaten immediately or within a few days rather than to bottle and keep in the pantry. Serve it with your favourite muesli or porridge, or put it on pancakes as a breakfast or dessert. 2 cups frozen (or fresh) blueberries ⅓ cup water ¼ cup sugar 2 tablespoons lemon … [Read more...]
The Birds and My Berries
I have a love-hate relationship with the birds in my garden and have written previously about feeding the birds and stopping the birds from eating all the plums. This year I have been fighting a losing battle between the birds and my berries, particularly my blueberries. There must be something special about blueberries or maybe it is that blackbirds really like a challenge. I'm tending towards the challenge explanation and have evidence that they keep learning new tricks to get to the netted … [Read more...]
Berry Pie Baking Kit
I got given the cutest little Berry Pie Baking Kit for Christmas: "A baking kit containing all you need to make a berry pie, including the pie dish! The kit comes with 85g of crust mix, 28g of pie spice mix, a ceramic pie dish with handle, and a full recipe. Simply add fresh or frozen berries, some butter and water and you're good to go!" The kit comes from Deacon Family Farms and it is available at Whitcoulls. You can make it with any sort of berries that you have from your garden or in the … [Read more...]
Blueberry, Blackberry & Grape Jam Recipe
I love combination jams because they are a great way to use fruit that you have (either fresh or frozen) but don't have enough of anything to make a single fruit jam. They also provide a wonderful range of flavours. This jam recipe is courtesy of Chelsea sugar who make a great Jam Setting Sugar that allows you to make a quick and simple jam. You can also easily scale the recipe up or down because you just use equal quantities of fruit and sugar. Juice and peel of 1 lemon, large pieces … [Read more...]
Four Berry Jam Recipe
I grow as many different berries as I can in my garden because they are so easy to grow, freeze really well, and are great for cooking right throughout the year. Sometimes I end up with only a small amount of each of the different types of berries left in the freezer, not enough to make anything specific with any of them. This year I tried making a Four Berry Jam recipe with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. The amount of each doesn't really matter and the end result is … [Read more...]
Healthy Banana Icecream Recipe
I couldn't believe that a delicious recipe for icecream could be this simple. Even more amazing is that whipped up frozen bananas do actually have the consistency of traditional icecream. And it is healthy! Slice bananas and freeze until solid. Place frozen bananas in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy (thawing the bananas for 5 minutes first makes it easier to blitz). Eat immediately or refreeze if desired to use later. If using later, remove from freezer a few minutes … [Read more...]
Growing Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the most rewarding plants you can have in your garden. They look great all year round: they have beautiful delicate lily-of-the-valley-type flowers in spring that lead to a mass of berries turning to blue in summer, and they have lovely autumn and winter foliage colour as well. My friend Steph has blueberries in a pot on her deck solely for its decorative properties - she is happy for the birds to eat the berries. I don't know how she can just watch those divine berries … [Read more...]
Growing Raspberries
Raspberries are such divine fruit. As a child I got to eat them on rare special occasions. As an adult the exorbitant price for a tiny punnet meant that I got to eat them a slightly more frequent occasionally. We were always told we couldn't grow them in Auckland because they needed a good winter chill to do well. But a few years ago a new variety 'Aspiring' was released that thrives in the semi-tropical Auckland climate - and I bought a couple of plants. What a treat to be able to pick … [Read more...]
Strawberry Jam with Grand Marnier
Strawberry jam is perfect with scones and cream. This recipe has a bit of a citrus twist with lemon juice and Grand Marnier that makes it even better. 2kg strawberries (can use frozen) Juice of 2 lemons 125g Grand Marnier 2kg sugar Place strawberries in a bowl and marinade in 75ml Grand Marnier, lemon juice and sugar for about 2 hours, stir regularly. Transfer strawberries & juice to a pan and simmer over a low heat until fruit is soft. Bring to the boil and boil for … [Read more...]