Pecan, Oat and Maple Syrup Biscuits

The pecan trees in the garden are full of nuts that are giving the cockatoos a great feast. We have collected the fallen pecans and are storing them to dry in the shell.  The climate in Western Sydney seems favourable to the growth of pecans and the heat this summer has provided  perfect weather for them. What better time to bake some wonderful biscuits using … Continue reading Pecan, Oat and Maple Syrup Biscuits

Egyptian Koshari and Home Made Baharat

Koshari is the national dish of Egypt that mixes lentil, rice, small macaroni noodles, a spicy tomato sauce, topped with fried onions and chick peas.  This is another dish for the International Year of Pulses. The tomato sauce is made with a spice blend called Baharat and this gives the dish its amazing flavour. Egyptian Koshari Ingredients: Rice: 1 cup of medium grain rice 1tblsp … Continue reading Egyptian Koshari and Home Made Baharat

What to plant in April

The following is a list of things you can plant in April in Sydney, a temperate zone: Amaranth Beans – broad beans, fava beans Beetroot Broccoli  Brussels sprouts Cabbage Carrot Cauliflower Daikon Endive Garlic Kale Kohlrabi Leeks seedlings Lettuce Mizuna Mustard greens Parsley Peas Radish Rocket Shallots Silverbeet  Snowpeas Spinach Turnip Flower of the Month – the beautiful flower of the Bottle Gourd   Continue reading What to plant in April

Minestrone with Borlotti Beans and Kale

The last of Summer’s fresh borlotti beans are still available and this recipe for a hearty minestrone of beans, vegetables and kale is perfect for dinner. If you are in another seasonal zone you can use tinned or dry borlotti beans that have been soaked overnight. This delicious and nutritious soup is a meal on its own. Minestrone with Borlotti Beans and Kale Ingredients: 1 … Continue reading Minestrone with Borlotti Beans and Kale

Greek Red Easter Eggs

Happy Easter to all our gardeners and followers! The Greek people have a wonderful Easter game called  tsougrisma (τσουγκρισμα) which means ‘clinking together’ or ‘clashing’ and uses Red Eggs, or eggs that are hard boiled and then coloured using red food dye. The colour of the egg represents Christ’s suffering and death on the cross.  The cracking symbolizes Christ’s resurrection from the tomb or new beginnings. … Continue reading Greek Red Easter Eggs

Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes

We have just harvested our potatoes and so this recipe for pan roasted chicken and potatoes cooked in white wine with fresh rosemary is a satisfying and delicious way to cook them. The potatoes are tender and flavourful and the chicken is moist. Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes Ingredients: 6 skinless chicken thigh chops (with the bone in) or thigh fillets 4 medium potatoes, peeled, cut … Continue reading Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes

Eggs in Tomato Sauce or ‘al funghetto’

This is a traditional dish from the Friuli region in the north of Italy and is an easy meal that you can quickly prepare for lunch or a light dinner. I have used organic free-range eggs and some oven  roasted tomato sauce made from the sweet summer tomatoes harvested this summer. Eggs in Tomato Sauce or ‘al funghetto’ Ingredients 3 eggs, boiled and cooled then halved … Continue reading Eggs in Tomato Sauce or ‘al funghetto’

George’s Fabulous Chilli Oil

Chillies are are at their colourful best and ripening ready to use in a multitude of recipes. George has shared his wonderful recipe for chilli infused oil and we hope that you will enjoy the making it and using it to enhance the flavour of everything  you cook.   George’s Fabulous Chilli Oil Ingredients: 250g well ripened Chilli’s  1/2 cup Whisky  1 L Light Olive … Continue reading George’s Fabulous Chilli Oil