Mary Rose

Posted on by
6

2013 05 03_0247 copy

Mary Rose is a David Austin Rose which he has classified into the group, Old Rose Hybrids.  The Old Rose Hybrids are the original English Roses.   They are the result of crossing the early summer-flowering Old Roses with modern Hybrid Tea and Floribunda roses with the idea of combining the best characteristics of both.  In the case of Mary Rose, this crossing has been a total success as Mary Rose has the charm of an Old Rose, with the reliable repeat-flowering habit of a modern Hybrid Tea or Floribunda.

Continue reading →

Arancini

Posted on by
7

2013 05 03_0290 copy

This is not a recipe, just something I learned not so long ago that I thought I would share.  I know I run the risk of people thinking I am a wee bit handicapped but, alas, that is the risk I have decided to take.

When cooking for two there are always leftovers as most recipes serve 4 or even 6.  Some meals taste better the next day, some a lot better, but one dish that does not reheat well is risotto.   It usually ends up gluggy. Continue reading →

Tomato Sauce

Posted on by
6

2013 05 03_0223 copy

I started off my post on preserving tomatoes, in February, by saying,

It’s nearing the end of summer and still the tomatoes are coming.

I then when on to say,

If, after you have made relish and salsa and have dried, pickled and roasted your tomatoes, you are still picking them by the bucket load, it is time for some serious preserving.

Well… it’s nearly winter and still the tomatoes keep coming.  I have preserved so many tomatoes, I seriously doubt my cupboard will ever be free of them. It is time for something different. Continue reading →

In My Kitchen – May 2013

Posted on by
30

In my kitchen:

Are tomatoes, cucumbers and a chilli!!!

I decided to take some photos this month in case you didn’t believe me.  It is now May and this is how many cherry tomatoes I picked yesterday!!  The plants are amazing.  OK, they are looking a bit sick in the middle but the outsides of the plants are green and healthy and they have flowers on them!  More bloody tomatoes!

When we first started picking, we would search in the vine jungle to get everyone we could find.  Now, if one jumps out at us and demands to be picked, we bother; otherwise, we just keep walking.  We are still picking much more than we can eat and I am making a grand effort to think of ways to use them.  This plateful is more than 2 kilos and, at $2.50 a punnet (250g), this plate is $20+ worth.  Considering how easy they are to grow, it is a disgrace how expensive they are.

2013 05 01_0206 copy

One reason, I believe, for the continual growth of my plants and the prolific cropping is the strange weather we are having.  Perth’s mean temperature in April was 2°C to 3°C above average.  We also had the hottest April day on record.    Here are a few quotes from the Burea of Meteorology for those who do not believe in climate change. Continue reading →

Thai Fried Noodles with Pork and Peanuts

Posted on by
11

IMG_3338 copy

We didn’t feel like cooking the other night (Maus even suggested we buy a pizza!!) but I had taken pork out of the freezer so didn’t give into temptation and request a Margherita.  As it turned out, I probably cooked this meal in less time than it would have taken Maus to pick up the pizza. Continue reading →

Lunch-Box Cookies

Posted on by
12

IMG_3317 copy

On ANZAC day, I decided against making Anzacs in favour of a biscuit with rolled oats and fruit.  I know I should have been making Anzacs but I do like a bit of fruit in my biscuits.

I made Merle’s (Merle Parrish, Merle’s Kitchen) Oatmeal Cookies which were all right but a little too cakey for my liking.  The next day, I thought I would try again.  This time I searched ‘rolled oats’ on Eat Your Books and came up with this recipe from the Australian Women’s Weekly Cookbook (1979 edition). Continue reading →