Time to get the preserving books out! Apricot time has begun, marking the full-on beginning of the stone fruit preserving season. A drive out through Richmond, Campania and Colebrook today yielded ample excellent specimens. I bought sufficient for two batches of apricot jam, which are now bubbling away on the stovetop. I'll go back for … Continue reading Apricot Season – hooray!

All dressed up and ready to go - the Wednesday morning tea platter for friends yesterday. Easily made from a baking dish sized boiled chocolate cake recipe, made in a trice. It was cooled overnight and cut into rounds early yesterday morning. There had to be a custard element of course - simple to spot. … Continue reading Mini Choc Raspberry Cakes

Wednesday morning tea platter last week – invention on the fly.I had bought a net of oranges at the supermarket for the purpose of grating the rind to make an orange cake.The proverbial “fly in the ointment” – there was no way that those oranges would let me grate the zest. Not to be deterred … Continue reading Choc Orange Butterfly Cakes

I have a recipe for small Christmas cakes that might be useful for some who have left making their cake until a bit late (as I often do).It's an adaptation of a recipe from a very old cookbook. They could also be warmed and served as Christmas puddings and/or would make a lovely gift for … Continue reading Mini Christmas Cakes

Green walnut alert! With this hot weather, best not to wait until the usual New Year's Day-ish to pick them.They must be picked before any of the shell forms (test with a skewer) - it can't be left too late or the end result is not worth the trouble in fact is inedible as the … Continue reading Green Walnut Time!!

Dad had the audacity to go out today. Worse still, he took the mini hound Poppy Puppy (to the vet for annual vaccination). Tom threw a cat tantrum. Doesn't Robert know his place is with him outside, in the garden for preference? First, scope out the rabbit hutch. Second, beat up gentle little Truffles. Third, … Continue reading Our Tom

Apparently it's not uncommon for some people not to like the taste or texture of dried fruit, so Christmas Pudding is a no-go area for them. However, there's no need to miss out on the traditional flavours of brandy, spices and the experience of the traditional Christmas pudding with this adaptation, a very much acceptable … Continue reading ABC Talkback today – Tipsy “dried-fruit-free” Christmas Pudding

Gluten Free Bread – makes 1 small loaf (orange bar cake tin size) 2 eggs ¾ teaspoon salt 1½ teaspoons sugar 2 cups gluten free plain flour 3 teaspoons instant dried yeast  1¼ cups warm water or milk ½ teaspoon baking powder, optional 2 teaspoons olive oil Whisk all the ingredients (except the baking powder … Continue reading ABC talkback today – Gluten free Bread Recipe – with variations

This is old old Tom, who was living as a feral when we came to live here (arguably he tamed us). He has always loved the cat mint we planted for him.However for the past year or so it's been decimated by wildlife. These past few days it's grown back with a vengeance. I so … Continue reading Tom – the cat who tamed us, and for the love of cat mint

There were lots of requests for the recipe for my Nan's Christmas Pudding. Here it is - measurements are in imperial as per her handwritten book. Somehow it would lose its charm if converted to metric. Nan Purton’s Christmas Pudding 1lb butter 1lb dark brown sugar 1lb currants 1lb sultanas 1lb raisins 1lb dates 8 … Continue reading Nan Purton’s Christmas Pudding recipe