I have previously posted about my variable success growing eggplants or aubergines, and how some years I throw them out in disgust at the end of the season after only managing to produce one or two eggplants. Each year I plant them again in the seemingly vain hope that I will get a bumper crop. I've tried them in different positions in the garden, in self-watering pots, in my glasshouse, and sometimes achieved a reasonable harvest. This summer though I hit the jackpot! I was later than usual … [Read more...]
Best App for Managing Recipes
I have finally found the best App for managing recipes: Evernote. It allows me to upload my recipes in whatever format they happen to be in and to easily search them all. I have looked in vain for a long time now to find an app that would allow me to manage all my recipes. There are plenty of recipe apps available but they all seem to be based around capturing recipes that are already on the internet in an electronic format. Some allow you to upload your own recipes but mostly this is in a very … [Read more...]
Lemon, Honey & Ginger Syrup
Lemon, Honey & Ginger Syrup is perfect for soothing those winter sore throats and giving a boost to your immunity. It is quick and easy to make and a perfect gift for someone who's not feeling well. Just add a couple of spoonfuls to a cup of hot water. You will need: a biggish piece of fresh ginger (about 100g) 1 cup honey 1 cup fresh lemon juice (6 medium lemons) Slice the ginger thinly. Boil ginger with 1 cup water in a small heavy-based saucepan for about 5 minutes, stirring … [Read more...]
Chinese Plum Sauce Recipe
Plum sauce is something I like to make every year and I get lots of good feedback from those I give it to. But I decided to risk trying a different plum sauce recipe this year as I had found one that had the Asian flavours of ginger and star anise in it. I used frozen plums (see freezing fruit). 2.5kg plums, stone removed 2 cups chopped onion 1/2 cup raisins 1.5 litres cider or white vinegar 1 kg brown sugar 1/2 cup soy sauce 6 tbsp freshly grated ginger 4 garlic cloves, crushed 2 … [Read more...]
Slow Roasted Tomatoes
I love making slow roasted tomatoes when the glut of tomatoes begins in summer. They are so full of flavour and last well in the fridge for up to a week if they get a chance. You can add them to a salad, or serve them as a vegetable (hot or cold) - perfect with barbeques or with eggs for breakfast. Cut your tomatoes in half and put them on an oven tray. I like to line my tray with tin foil to make clean up easier. Sprinkle with salt and sugar - I use less than 1 tsp of each across 12 … [Read more...]
Strawberry & Feta Salad
A glorious salad with strawberries, feta, cashews, cucumber and greens, drizzled with avocado oil. Suitably festive-looking that you could serve it on Christmas Day. Lettuce, spinach or any combination of salad greens you like Strawberries (preferably fresh from the garden) Feta (preferably home-made) Cucumber (preferably fresh from the garden) Cashews Avocado or Olive Oil Spread salad greens in a dish. Top with strawberries, feta, cucumber and cashews. Drizzle with … [Read more...]
Feijoa Vodka
If you love feijoas, then this is a very special way to enjoy the flavour months after the trees have stopped dropping their crop all over the ground. This is a variation on the traditional 'rum pot' where the aim is to preserve the fruit. Although you can definitely enjoy the preserved fruit, with this recipe the flavoured vodka is a delicious treat that should definitely be savoured in its own right. Peel and slice enough feijoas to fill a large jar (mine was about 2 litres) to about 2/3 … [Read more...]
Easy Mushroom Soup
I had a nice big handful of oyster mushrooms that I had grown using my mushroom growing kit and wanted to make a mushroom soup that wasn't just the standard cream of mushroom soup. 250g mushrooms (oyster, button or a mix of whatever you have) 2 tbsp oil (I used lime flavoured avocado oil) 1 litre vegetable stock 2 cloves garlic 1 tbsp miso paste Salt and pepper to taste Handful of herbs e.g. parsley and thyme Chop mushrooms into small pieces. Heat oil in a saucepan. … [Read more...]
Plum Brandy
What can you make when you've made Plum Jam, Spiced Plum Butter, Spicy Plum Sauce, Plum Crumble, Stewed Plums and you've still got plums (fresh or frozen) left? This year I made some Plum Brandy. It has a gorgeous rich fruity flavour and is very easy to make. The rich red colour makes it perfect for gift giving in decorative bottles. 1 kg dark red plums (I used frozen plums) 2 cups white sugar 500 ml (2 cups) vodka 125 ml (1/2 cup) brandy Halve and pit the plums and put in a large … [Read more...]
Chocolate Apple Cake
Although my ballerina apple trees only produced 4 apples this year, it was enough to make my favourite chocolate apple cake. It is light and moist, and easy to blitz together in the food processor. It is great as a cake or as a dessert. 2-3 apples 125g butter (melted) 1 egg 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup flour 2 tbsp cocoa 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking soda Food processor - chop unpeeled apples, add remaining ingredients in the order given. Process in short bursts until combined. Turn into … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 6
- Next Page »