Lovely to chat with the wonderful Annabelle White on Auckland radio this morning. Annabelle took a jar of kasoundi home with her when she visited us.  Apparently it is as popular in New Zealand as it is here in Tasmania. Here is the recipe - well worth the making, simply delicious. Kasoundi This delightful concoction … Continue reading Kasoundi – by special request from New Zealand

And here we are - my beauties!! A whole bucketful of green walnuts, all ready for the pickling. These are a gift from two kind friends (thanks Pat and Pat). Robert assigns himself the task of pricking them all before their processing. It's essential to wear gloves when you do this, or your hands will … Continue reading Green walnuts a-pickling

With two batches bubbling away nicely, time to trial another ginger beer recipe today. Here are the notes I jotted down as ABC listener Marion dictated this very old recipe to me. Sounds really good - and easy. A little while ago Robert came in and declared that a little bird had told him that … Continue reading Ginger beer and Blueberries

The ginger beer saga continues .... The first batch was bottled off today. In 3 or 4 days it should be ready, especially given the forecast high temperatures. That should move the process along. Tomorrow another plant will be ready to strain and divide to make another batch. Meanwhile, out in the cooking school kitchen, … Continue reading Awash with ginger beer

No sun here today but abominably hot. I guess it's not all bad though. Cider, made from those apples I obtained from Kingston Farmers Market, has now been bottled. Due to the warmth, after only a few days it is starting to bubble. I'm not sure what type of apples they are, but the colour … Continue reading Summer cider

Let the ginger beer games begin! The first two plants ("ginger bugs") to the left are ones I had started before the ABC segment on Saturday. They are based on powdered ginger. (The one labelled "Meg" came from an elderly lady about 45 years ago. It was in Robert's old handwritten recipe book that he … Continue reading Ginger beer and ginger bugs – courtesy of ABC listeners

Here are the recipes requested from the ABC Jams and Preserves talkback yesterday morning. There were lots of recipes for ginger beer made from fresh ginger, rung in by listeners (many thanks).  I will be trying them all progressively, starting this afternoon.  If anyone who was listening would like me to type up any of … Continue reading Recipes from ABC Radio Jams and Preserves Talkback

I just reloaded the biscuit basket on the stall at our gate here at 179 Wyre Forest Rd, Molesworth. Today's offerings include: Triple choc/cherry/almond Macadamia/peanut shortbreads Smart cookies (caramel shortbread biscuit base),containing "Smarties" Anzacs (crispy) Lebkuchen Fruit cake bites All are made with the best of ingredients - Tasmanian butter, lovely rich dark chocolate and … Continue reading Roadside stall Biscuit Basket Offerings today

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