For those who asked for the recipe for the sponge cake base for this slice, here it is. You can fill it with whatever you like - I used 600ml sweetened whipped cream, with drained preserved plums folded through but, as the saying goes, you are only limited by your imagination. Basic Sponge Cake (rectangular … Continue reading Sponge cake recipe

I love it when the preserves prepared in summer can add dimension and flavour to everyday baking. A case in point yesterday - rectangular sponge was split in two and the bottom layer spread with Angelina plum jam. Preserved greengages and golden drop plums were folded through whipped cream to form the middle layer. The … Continue reading Three Plum and Passionfruit Slice

For those who were listening to the ABC Canberra discussion regarding jams and chutneys etc. with Georgia Stynes, here are recipes for Apricot Chutney and Jam, as well as the basic recipe for raspberry jam (and by extension, other berry jams. Apricot Chutney (From “A Year in a Bottle”, ABC Books, 2008) 1.5 kg apricots, … Continue reading Apricot chutney recipe plus apricot jam and berry jam

Zucchini day today. It took us the whole morning to process them. The zucchinis needed peeling for the most part as the skins had become a bit tough. Then the spongy centre with seeds was scooped out. Still and all there was enough for a double batch of zucchini relish, one of zucchini pickle and … Continue reading Zucchini preserves and pesto

Really zucchini? Did you have to grow so fast??Enthusiastic growth is one thing but this is extreme. Three days' of neglecting picking and this happens. Lots to make into pickle and relish tonight! In the unusual microclimate on this little patch of earth, the two smallish elderflower trees have burst into flower all over. More … Continue reading Zucchinis, elderflowers (at last!) and basil

For those who were listening to the discussion last evening regarding pancakes, pikelets and blinis, here are the recipes as promised. I love the versatility of the thin pancakes - a favourite way to serve them that has stood the test of decades, is to simply sprinkle each cooked pancake while warm with lemon juice … Continue reading Of Pancakes, Pikelets and Blinis – recipes

Plums, plums, plums!! These are Angelina plums - I know from experience that they preserve beautifully. They came from our friend Michael's tree; organic and in optimum condition for bottling. He brought them here to preserve early this morning and within a mere couple of hours with three of us working together, they are all … Continue reading The Plums Roll in ….

This sparkling fruit drink is a great favourite in our household, and many others I'm told. As always when a recipe is much requested, I post it on this page. So here it is - simplicity itself to make, an absolutely delightful drink. Sparkling Elderflower Be sure to use the flower heads only for this … Continue reading Sparkling elderflower – recipe

I resurrected this recipe from the Spanish cooking classes we used to run here. It was made for a very special friend, who is very fond indeed of both rice and seafood. I've had many requests for this recipe since I posted a photo of the Paella on Facebook and Instagram, so here it is. … Continue reading Paella (with recipe)

Many requests for this recipe, so here it is. A little secret I discovered last year when I had a glut at end of tomato season - it is just a s good made with green tomatoes some people have commented even better than made with ripe. Now that's saying something, as this is one … Continue reading Kasoundi – recipe