No power here this morning. Missed, that is didn't receive, the memo to inform us that this was going to happen. Apparently we will be power-less until 3.30pm. It's very cold and foggy outside, swirling right up around the front verandah, but no problem in the house - Hester has the kettle on the boil … Continue reading Power-less at Molesworth – no problem!

I love it when unusual produce crosses my path, so was delighted when I was given a box of African Horned Melons (Kiwano). Challenge - what to do with them? The flesh is astounding, mild flavoured and mildly evocative of citrus. A curd then, as a first port of call.   Oh my goodness! Delicious, … Continue reading African Horned Melons of the Derwent Valley

Lots of fun in the Making and Baking Yeast Goods class this morning. Bread dough everywhere - loaves, focaccia, "jaffa" buns, cinnamon scrolls, Monkey Bun, Turkish breads and more. Lovely people, best of times. How lucky are we to spend our days like this?

Then of course there's the winter produce. Not so much from here thanks to wildlife and weather conditions, but that's ok when there are producers in the Derwent Valley of truly exceptional produce. Just look at these gorgeous specimens for instance - Mangel Wurzels (red and yellow), crapaudine, Kiwanos, kohlrabi, Daikon and even pumpkins. (Grows … Continue reading Winter produce of this Derwent Valley

Best thing about winter? Lighting up the wood-fired stoves. Outside Herman the bread oven is being fired up for some baking in a couple of days' time. In the house - Hester is busy as well, warming the house and undertaking prep for some upcoming dishes, plus soups and the inevitable kettle at a rolling … Continue reading Wood burning stoves of winter

A lovely sight on a on a cold and foggy morning - sample containers of three separate ferments bubbling away nicely - Sauerkraut, sparkling elderflower and sparkling jostaberry.

Here is the recipe for the (much requested) cake. I think the term used nowadays is a poke cake. However, new trend just invented this minute - let's call it a date and custard-column cake. Date and Custard-Column Cake For the cake 300g pitted dates, chopped 375ml boiling water 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 125g … Continue reading Date and Custard-Column Cake

Inspired by a recipe I happened across yesterday, I was up bright and early to make this cake for the regular Wednesday morning tea platter. Well actually, it ended up quite different to the original. The Wednesday morning tea-ers are not keen on things too sweet, so instead of icing I spread the top with … Continue reading Date and Custard Cake

This morning - the first of the season's wonderful mists of Molesworth. It sweeps up around our house, then retreats again to the hills, usually several times, before clearing to a lovely sunny day. Magical.

Now I do know (and teach) that always the freshest possible milk should be used to make cheese, and milk from different batches and brands BUT ....... I simply couldn't resist these almost-to-use-by-date containers of goats' milk at the supermarket a couple of days ago. Goat's feta is delicious, especially homemade, so was into the … Continue reading Goats’ Milk Feta and more