It's been a whirlwind week here in the cooking school. There have been two large cheese making classes, great fun. Curds and whey everywhere. Part of the pleasure of the classes for me is getting up early and baking treats for the people who are coming along. I couldn't bear to think they would go … Continue reading Cheese Making Classes, Cider and Stock

Hester's been a bit sluggish for a few days. Whatever on earth was going on? 'She' was slow to burn, comparatively anyway, and even sent puffs of smoke out the door when it was opened to put in more wood. This morning Robert found the issue. It was not with poor Hester at all, but … Continue reading Hester Ailing??

Off to the ABC this morning for the Jams and preserves talkback. There were some stand-out tips and recipes rung in by listeners. Here are two of them: May's Super Sponge Cake and Maria's Whisky Cumquat Marmalade. Scallop pies were a matter of discussion that was raised by Craig - should the sauce be curry … Continue reading ABC Jams and Preserves Talkback today

I love, love, love cooking in a wood fired oven - no secret there! Arguably our BIg Bakers Oven Hester is a very bad influence on me - or perhaps it's rather that I am a harsh taskmaster on 'her'. It's just an irresistible situation when she always stands at the ready, cooktop hot, oven … Continue reading All on a cold and wintry afternoon

Very busy day here yesterday. Lovely people came to the cooking class, lots to eat and it was lovely and warm with the old slow combustion wood stove, Carmichael, very capably heating the cooking school space. Lots of dishes were prepared in the slow cookers, don't think anyone went away hungry. Except for heating the … Continue reading A Wintry Day in Molesworth

Decisions, decisions! There's a slow cooker class here this Saturday and I'm trying to make up my mind about which dishes we will be preparing. The well-thumbed, well-used slow cooker books have loads of potential dishes marked. Just as well there are 15 (!) slow cookers standing at the ready. Looks like no-one will be … Continue reading Slow Cooker time!

Amongst the loveliest sights of the Derwent Valley has to be the mist and fog. It is simply captivating to watch them creep up into this little corner at Molesworth. Yesterday was no exception. On the way home from Hobart late in the morning, a different perspective - this time the spectacle of the fog … Continue reading Mists of the Valley

With the sad loss of Ramekin a few days ago, it was good to get out into the fresh air and sunshine once more. Yesterday was the day for the annual pilgrimage to our generous friend Kaye's medlar tree. What a wonderful crop this year! Kaye and her friend Lizzie (pictured here), had picked up … Continue reading Medlar PIcking Therapy

It's been a sad few days. Our darling old ram, Ramekin, has died. He's been wonderful company here on the farm, a real character and gentle as can be. He liked nothing better than a pat and a hand-fed treat of a piece of fruit each day. RIP dear old boy, we will really miss … Continue reading A Sad Loss

Perhaps the best time of day here in this little corner of the Valley is just around dawn, especially this time of year. This morning was a perfect example. I was up extra early to do some baking, and the mist progress creeping up into this little property, with a good coating of frost on … Continue reading Party Baking on a Frosty, Misty Molesworth Morning