Now this was an interesting experiment a few days ago. A friend told me that she had made blackcurrant curd, which was absolutely delicious (she had used a river cottage recipe). With blackcurrants still in our freezer, I decided to try make some. Certainly delicious and set like a dream. So, I thought, why not … Continue reading Curds made from currants black, red and white

Green tomatoes - how I love them! A gift of several kilos from a friend yesterday. Both the ones I bought last Saturday week and this lot were found on a stall at the New Norfolk market. It means a large batch of green tomato chutney is in the making, just brining at the moment … Continue reading Green tomatoes

Speaking of creatures that live here with us, this fine fellow was intercepted on his way to a cooking pot (not ours). We happened to need a rooster, ours having passed away several weeks ago. And so this boy has come to stay. He's such a fine looking bird that I called him Fletcher Christian. … Continue reading Rooster – new kid on the block

Spot the difference. Is that a pig amongst the sheep? Yesterday our Cilla noticed the gate into the bottom paddock was not quite on the latch. From the house I watched her in the distance nudging the gate with her big powerful snout. Eventually she succeeded, and despite her considerable bulk did a little dance … Continue reading Cilla the Pig’s adventure

A little snack for visiting friends a couple of days ago - savoury tarts, hastily put together but tasty nevertheless, and enough to fuel us for another afternoon of preserving. This time it was apples - Michael and Roberto had a good harvest from their tree. Now none will go to waste as almost all … Continue reading Savoury tarts

An autumn tradition, one of the best. Friends Michael and Roberto came today to preserve their harvest of quinces - exceptionally large quinces I might add. Lots of fun, and so productive. Three preservers full of filled jars now all processed. Apples soon to come.

From the ABC radio cooking talkback segment yesterday, here is the recipe for easy fruit buns. Fruit Buns Makes 12 For the dough 80g butter Finely grated rind one lemon 2 cups warm milk, approximately 4 cups plain flour 4 teaspoons dried yeast 1½ teaspoons salt ¼ cup sugar 2 teaspoons mixed spice (3 teaspoons … Continue reading Easy fruit buns

Each Wednesday morning, as most people will know by now, at a neighbour's house we get together to have a brief morning tea. I always take something along and this was last week's offering - quickly invented and prepared in no time at all. (these were very well received by the way, gone in a … Continue reading Morning tea treat – chocolate strawberries and cream cupcakes

By special request (lots of them actually), here is the recipe for the blackberry shrotcake Blackberry Shortcake For the base 125g butter, softened ½ cup sugar 1 egg ¾ cup plain flour ¾ cup self raising flour 1 egg white, lightly whisked For the topping 1 cup blackberry jam, approximately 3 egg whites ¾ cup … Continue reading Blackberry shortcake recipe

It's been a busy few days one way and another. First - yersterday, luscious local field tomatoes, chillies from a friend's garden a d our own garlic, made possible a double batch of Kasoundi. Next (today) - zucchini time. Three batches of zucchini relish, and a large panful of sauteed, the latter to be used … Continue reading Tomatoes, zucchinis and more – busy days!