What do you do when you can't cut it in the kitchen? Roast it in Hester. I was given a magnificent, huge gourd by our friend in Bushy Park. I tried valiantly to cut it into chunks today but it was no use.  You can see the knife mark where I tried. I found a … Continue reading The Battle of the Gourd

I know this Derwent Valley is often referred to as The Valley of Love, but most definitely this year it also deserves the title of  "The Valley of the Quinces". Yesterday we picked a huge number from our friends' most magnificent tree at Bushy Park. They were in perfect condition for anything a cook, pastry … Continue reading The Valley of the Quinces

Spent a whole day with the grandchildren here yesterday, always such fun.  As always Charly arrived armed with her notebook she dedicates to writing the new recipes we invent while she's here. First order of the day - let's make some ricotta to include in other experimental dishes of the day. When that process was … Continue reading School holiday cooking – microwaves and more

Some people have wanted to know how to make whole quinces in syrup in the slow cooker. All I do is place the unpeeled, uncored quinces in there, as many as will fit, then sprinkle over one cup of sugar then 1 cup of water. With the temperature set to High they will take up … Continue reading A little recipe or two – quinces in the slow cooker and Carrot and Parsley pillows

Oh no! I'm out of jars! Not a single new one to be found, not even any I can re-use and recycle. Thankfully there was enough for this batch of quince jelly, but there's loads more quinces to be processed over the next week. I'll need to make a trip to the bottle and jar … Continue reading Quinces abound!

Tonight's dinner in the making - spiced rolled beef roast for main course, with accompaniments of roasted vegetables, all the usual suspects, and little carrot and parsley pillows. Fresh spinach straight from the garden as well. For dessert - red wine and spice poached pears, simmered slowly on the cooktop. These were served with a … Continue reading Sunday Afternoon Baking

So where's a runcible spoon when you need it?? We were to dine on mince and slices of quince after all. Roasted some quince slices in Hester BBO today. They were perfect to serve with a pre-dinner wine. The accompaniments were fresh made labna sprinkled with chives, and slices of the pumpernickel bread I made … Continue reading Dining on Mince and Slices of Quince

"Hester" has been working overtime. Last night for a celebratory dinner at our daughter's house, a roast of lamb as well as two large lamb shanks braised in a tomato and red wine gravy were cooked in the oven. Some leftover fried rice was heated in a trice on the stovetop. We came home with … Continue reading Rainy Sunday

It's a dreadful day when there's not a dough on the go. Couldn't resist the urge to make up a recipe for Pumpernickel bread and set a dough to rise. Here's the result. There's a bit much for us really, so I might put some out on the stall at our gate later, if it … Continue reading Pumpernickel and Pizza

It's been interesting, with all this sitting about, to watch the interaction between our pampered pets. The primary source of amusement is the relationship between old ginger Tom and poor little Puppy Poppy. I don't think either of them has read the rule book about cat and dog behaviour. Tom is most definitely the king … Continue reading The Pets of the Farm