Back to the stoves today. Yesterday was set aside for shopping for ingredients. Finally I was able to get some apples to make cider (many thanks to Stan at Kingston Produce Market). Today - time to make stock, the basis for all tasty savoury cooking - both chicken and beef/lamb/pork. Bones were roasted off, then … Continue reading Baking again (still)

Meanwhile, amongst the pets a silent battle raged. Our cats are rather large so they had to take turns warming themselves in front of the Big Bakers Oven. They absolutely love it when, once the baking is finished, I open the slide of the oven door and extra warm air flows down to them at … Continue reading The Battle of the Pets

So with the temperature not rising above 10 degrees C today (hooray) and the rain still pouring down here at Molesworth, there's plenty for Hester BBO to do. We've had a wonderful, steady stream of visitors since just before lunch time. Hence there were plenty of people to help us eat all that was cooked. … Continue reading Rainy day fare

Now with the cooler temperature and magnificent rain, the jars of preserves are back in the usual place in the stall at the gate. From now on there will also be a 'biscuit basket', with a variety of different offerings in small packets. Currently there are (crispy) Anzacs, cranberry and choc chip cornflake cookies, and … Continue reading The Biscuit Basket – a new constant feature for the stall at our gate

Thought I'd do a bit of baking - fruit cakes high on the agenda. Robert has always loved a good fruit cake, and this is what I came across in my pantry cupboard - I simply can't resist it when dried fruit and nuts are on sale. "What sort of cake or cakes would you … Continue reading Bake a Cake?

An update - visitors to the stall at our gate will have seen that recently the preserves have been in an Esky. This was to protect them from the heat of the sun. However, not altogether satisfactory - hard to see what's in there for a start. So I have just set a new stall … Continue reading The Roadside Stall revamped

So - did a little baking during the night. Just brought these down from the cooking school kitchen. The hop/potato yeast features as the rising agent in most. My goodness, that yeast was very active - must have been the warm, sultry weather overnight. Foccaccias also - crisp and lovely with ample olive oil and … Continue reading Breads and such

It's been a whirlwind week or two with cooking classes and farm visits here. Lovely people, every single one who came along. Finally we have the much awaited, welcome rain. It has ended the necessity of watering vulnerable plants by hand morning and night, a two hour process at least. The lovely shady walkways here … Continue reading After the rain…

Decided to make some hop potato yeast, the recipe for which was generously shared by a lady in the Derwent Valley. I am trying a gluten free version using buckwheat. There's a little competition between the two happening on my bench top. The buckwheat was much more active at the start, but has slowed down … Continue reading Cold weather continues …

I've had some last minute cancellations for the class of Sunday (November 5th).  Three spaces have become available. This is a good time of year to attend, as you will be armed and at the ready with all the information you need to make the most of the upcoming seasonal fruits and vegetables. Let me … Continue reading Vacancies in the Preserves class this Sunday, November 5th