All posts filed under: home & garden

Eggplant Flowers

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In a mad lunchtime rush I was able to visit the fresh fruit and vegetable market yesterday. With the start of Summer upon us the range of seasonal produce at the moment is at a high, from green leafy salads, green beans, broad beans, peas, zucchini, the plump reds of tomatoes , peppers and cherries and the “Black Beauty” of the bunch the dark shiny, glossy purple  of Eggplant (melanzane).  Eggplant is one of those vegetables used a lot in Italian cuisine. The best known recipe I think you would know is ratatouille. But there are many recipes I’ve learnt since experimenting with many Italian dishes. Italian food is simple, each recipe using two or three main seasonal products. That ‘s the key, quality produce and what’s in season.  Italian food is also regional, what you may find as the main dish of Veneto – Treviso isn’t the same as you would find in Rome, Sicily or Naples.  Recipe:Eggplant Flowers * i “fiori” di melanzane, is one of my favourite eggplant dishes.  Ingredients for 4 persons  2 eggplants ( long type)  …

Green with Ivy

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I’m surrounded by lush green vineyards in the heat of our first Spring days an unusual but pleasant image, unusual for me after many dry, sunburnt amber Summers in Australia. It’s  truly a welcomed image after the long Winter we’ve had. My life is surrounded by green.      This photo was taken this Winter, a beautiful image also of our vineyard…      Along the lush corridors around our home.  The trees are tangled with climbing evergreen ivy, even in my garden the grand old oaks trunk is covered with meandering ivy.      This image of our old oak tree was taken this Winter…      ….no fences here…a hedge of green      While walking around Treviso, I found this villa covered in ivy…        An interesting article I read from Better Homes and Gardens, May 2010,(Yes , I got my hands on an english version) was Easy Outdoor Containers. Anyone, even the least green thumb gardener can achieve beautiful containers of plants grown to their potential with the basic anatomy of the pot correct, good quality of top soil and potting mix, the right position for  light source …

Handwritten Recipes

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I don’t know about you, but I haven’t received a handwritten letter in ages.  The computer world of clicking has taken over from the personal notes and letters I once received. The quick flash notes that I’ve written while connecting to friends have never had  that same personal touch as  receiving in the mail a handwritten letter.  The emotion and enthusiasm of going out to check the postal box, reaching for that envelope, looking at the handwriting and instantly knowing who’s it from. Our memory never fails us, a quick glance at the hand written address and instantaneously we recognise the handwriting. In a heart beat we open that letter and enjoy the feeling of that connection with the person who hand wrote that letter.  The last thing I received through the post was an Easter card from my mum. Mum’s part of the old school ways, and never forgets to pop in the post that Birthday card, anniversary of Christmas wish.  Apart from the quick one page grocery and the things to do list, there is one thing that I write and …

Cottage Pie

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I was brought up a Vegemite kid. What’s Vegemite?  you ask. For all of you  non Australians, it’s a black, creamy, salty, slightly bitter spread and it’s a required taste. From the lyrics of Men At Works 1981 hit song “Down Under”…I said “Do you speak -a  my language?” He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich. It’s all Australian.  Vegemite’s launching year was 1922, so it’s been around for a while.  It’s main ingredient is yeast extract, high in Vitamin B. And as the slogan song once played…put’s a rose in every cheek.   It’s usually spread on your morning toast but I’ve discovered a few recipes for this tasty ingredient..I like it so much that I have it sent over to me by anyone who’s coming my way, friends and family know that they can send me some in the post anytime,  and it’s always the first thing on my Christmas list. Here’s a recipe I make by adding a bit of Vegemite… Cottage Pie Recipe   Ingredients: Serves 4 for Dinner   800 grams lean minced (ground) …

Spiral Puffed Apples

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Usually there’s two or three apples left in the bottom of the fridge, well I know in my house there usually is, why not jazz them up a little and enjoy these Spiral Puffed Apples, this recipe hasn’t been adapted from anywhere..it’s original, the mixture for the centres can be made from any dried fruits or nuts…a combination of dates and hazelnut’s..apricots and macadamia….the list is endless…look inside your pantry cupboard and get creative!  Spiral Puffed Apple Recipe:Ingredients: for 2 serves  Golden Delicious Apples  4  Walnut kernels  6 Dried Cranberries  6 sultanas  1 tablespoon Cream Cheese  Brown Sugar  Puffed Pastry ( Ready made, rectangle 30cm x 30cm)  1 sheet of Puff Pastry this size covers 3 apples.  Preparation:  Pre – heat oven to 200°c  Wash, paper towel dry and core apples.  Chop finely walnuts, cranberries and sultana’s together. Combine with the cream cheese. Press firmly into the centre of the apple.   Cut a circle (glass size) of puff pastry for the bottom of the apple, then cut 1cm strips of puff pastry.  These strips of pastry …

Everythings coming up Roses….

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This time of the year is wonderful in the garden, after a long Winter the garden has revived itself with the first warm Spring days, and the first of my roses are in full bloom. I’ve just gone outside to do a quick count and I’m surprised I’ve now planted 200 rose bushes. From ramblers,standards and shrubs, hues of pinks, yellows, whites and reds,  border beauties, beautiful beds, old-fashioned charm and carpets of colour, even a solitary rose makes a great focal point in any garden.    I’ve always had a love for roses, and I have to admit there’s many a time when I wake up,stop and smell the roses, or take a wander in the garden and talk to them with my morning coffee….they’re so hardy and after last Winters snow it’s a miracle I didn’t lose any…every time a single new bloom appears, what ever the colour pink, white or red  for me roses symbolize love.. I think everyone has received a single rose at some time of their life…remember the time you received that rose it was …

Warm salad of grilled beef ,vegetables and basil pesto

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Sunday nights are usually a easy tea time treat  for me…the last thing I want to do is spend my last minutes of my weekend in the kitchen, easiest thing… heat up the grill….   Jazzing up plain beef steaks and making a delicious warm grill vegetable salad is my choice..and you’ll impress all who have the chance to try it!         Ingredients: Serving for 4   800 g  lean beef steaks : ( 2 thin steaks for each person)   Marinade    2 tablespoons dried oregano    1 tablespoon olive oil    1 clove garlic, crushed    Vegetables    1 bunch white or green asparagus    6 small artichokes    3 vines of cherry tomatoes    basil pesto    Preparation:  Mix marinade ingredients together in a bowl, add beef steaks, turning to coat thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap and leave to marinade in refrigerator for up to 30 minutes.   Preheat bbq grill to medium/ high    I used white asparagus, grilling that  first, slicing each one in half..turning continously on grill,  followed by the artichokes,( I pre-steam mine for about 8 mins).    Next grill the beef, around 2 minutes each side – or until …

Purple Butterfly

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      Butterfly Lavender …  Growing in terracotta pots on my terrace and in the garden with full sun the Butterfly Lavender flowers all Summer. Lavender not only decorative, leaves its pleasant perfume throughout the home. I often place it in the bathroom simply on a decorative plate or in a glass jar without the lid.  Easily entwined with rosemary for a summer garland, giving freshness and perfume to any Summer dinner table or individual place settings.   Dried of freshly picked with  rose petals leaves a touch of romanticism throughout the home.