tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63518083219745107122024-03-13T12:18:23.244+00:00The Green Grower - Allotment AnticsAllotment antics from day 1 to...Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-18659002912408657052011-09-16T16:13:00.001+01:002011-09-19T14:30:22.785+01:00For all those who miss the blog...Sorry I've not posted this season, but then I've not been to the allotment! A rollercoaster year for me so far. Currently buying a house - with a garden! - so hoping to blog about that when I get round to growing. Be a nice change to a rented flat with a balcony! This is the garden at the new house - keep everything crossed the sale goes through without a hitch... :) Hope you've all had a great gardening year! S.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbPxUaYJebY/TnNndGyJnLI/AAAAAAAACfk/ts-mAI_N558/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbPxUaYJebY/TnNndGyJnLI/AAAAAAAACfk/ts-mAI_N558/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-21150224222085921342011-04-03T22:52:00.001+01:002011-04-03T22:53:44.836+01:00Allotment blog love :)hehe, I like this write up of <b>The Green Grower</b> blog over at <a href="http://www.dobbies.co.uk/blog/allotment-blogs-we-love/" target="_blank"><b>Dobbies Gardening Blog</b></a>:<br />
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<i>"<b>The Green Grower</b></i><br />
<i>In a bid to break free from the 9 to 5 world of work and a flat without a garden, Steph Jones embraced the beauty and enjoyment of an allotment. The Green Grower documents her journey from her very first day on the allotment. Since then Steph has shared her developments and offers good advice on growing all manner of things. Best of all there are plenty of tasty allotment recipes, including chocolate courgette cake, vegetable spaghetti and plenty of fruity booze."</i><br />
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PS: I am hoping to be back up the allotment sometime this week so hopefully blog posts to follow...<br />
PPS: "Hello!" to anyone still reading :)Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-11893276320544777172010-10-05T23:56:00.000+01:002010-10-05T23:56:46.992+01:00Fame at last!Woohoo! FAME!<br />
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Following on from the last post re the <a href="http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/knobbly-veg" target="_blank"><b>Knobbly Veg campaign</b></a>, I sent off a photo from lottie of the loveheart spud, dug up and photographed by Nick earlier in the year. It is only <a href="http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/articles/knobbly-veg-14" target="_blank"><b>now on the delicious Knobbly Veg Gallery</b></a> :D<br />
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Meet 'Knobbly Veg 14'...<br />
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A proud moment indeed!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-8032103690112740092010-10-02T23:38:00.001+01:002010-10-06T00:08:11.348+01:00We love knobbly veg!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TKex9M0w0HI/AAAAAAAACe4/ReNRyqU2mJQ/s1600/2628_1_380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TKex9M0w0HI/AAAAAAAACe4/ReNRyqU2mJQ/s320/2628_1_380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Just read an article in the latest copy of delicious magazine. "We all love a comedy vegetable..." - yes, yes, we do! And it is true, the freakily-shaped veg tastes as good, if not better than their more beautiful relations. Take a look at the article & support the campaign <a href="http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/knobbly-veg" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TKeyJkmxaQI/AAAAAAAACe8/Cz7osb4cNRQ/s1600/2625_1_380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TKeyJkmxaQI/AAAAAAAACe8/Cz7osb4cNRQ/s320/2625_1_380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This image is fab!</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-61955085813817616842010-09-25T14:49:00.001+01:002010-09-25T14:51:18.974+01:00DowntimeI should be at the allotment today but I'm not!<br />
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I've booked next week off work so I am taking some time to chill. It has been insanely busy at the day job. Designing books for kids takes a lot of hard work you know! We've been prepping for the annual book fair where all our new ideas get showcased to buyers. We spend a good couple of months intensely working on covers to sell these new ideas. Our office is one of 3 - the smallest of the bunch with just a handful of designers, me included - 7 of us. We did about a third of all covers produced (just under 400 this year, I think) which is a big achievement as there are around 20 designers in the medium-sized office, and around 2 or 3 times as many as that in the 'big' office! I've also been in charge of orchestrating the whole thing - keeping tabs on illustrators, commissioning, fees, invoices, designs, feedback from our bosses... all the while getting not one, but TWO books off to print at the same time! No wonder I am pooped. I just couldn't face next week at work and Friday just gone was our official book fair deadline, so I made a break for it!<br />
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I am off to see my folks in Lancaster later on today for a while. It is my dad's birthday Monday so we're looking forward to a zoo trip (family tradition!). Maybe I'll make him a courgette cake?! I'm hoping the weather is alright as I've heard whilst we've had a reasonably nice spate of sunshine, they've had rain and gale force winds. Think I'll pack some warm gear and my waterproof! I'll be back later in the week to tend to the allotment - see if the butternut squash have grown much since I last saw them budding up, and dig up my 'rooster' spuds, along with other jobs. I also want to make some <a href="http://www.handmadeheaven.bigcartel.com/"><b>glassy goodies</b></a> too. 'Back to the Future' is being shown at the cinema (HUZZAH!) so I'll be seeing that and out for a friend's birthday meal.<br />
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In between all those things, I plan on chilling. I find this very hard to do, getting 'lazy guilt', but I'll give it a good go!<br />
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Hope you're well doing whatever you are :) I am now off to make a batch of veg curry with squash, spring onions, green tomatoes, runner beans and a pepper. It will be based on the veg spaghetti curry. Something for the freezer.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-61122583912480357842010-09-16T21:26:00.000+01:002010-09-16T21:26:28.145+01:00Ohhhhhhhhh, now I get it!After all my pontificating about what a let-down 'Vegetable Spaghetti' was I simply had to cook it! Now it all makes sense. The chunks I'd cut the flesh into got made into a curry and, low and behold, look what happens...<br />
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It breaks down into strands that look like - that's right kids - SPAGHETTI! ha! That'll teach me to waffle on :P<br />
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The curry I made was this recipe: <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3982/tomato-squash-and-spinach-curry"><b>http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3982/tomato-squash-and-spinach-curry</b></a><br />
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I used home-grown tomatoes too - windowsill-ripened, of course! :) It is mighty delish! Something that could almost be made totally from lottie veg. I added some natural yoghurt this time but creme fraiche works well too. Do give this recipe a go. I've already made it with patty pans, but courgettes, pumpkins, sweet pots, marrow, any squash or even spuds would work.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-32721419713933000692010-09-13T23:06:00.004+01:002010-09-13T23:10:05.182+01:00Green Tomato Soup(serves 6)<br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 oz butter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 lb green tomatoes, sliced</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">8 oz potatoes, peeled and sliced</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 onion, chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 pints stock</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 tin beans like barlotti/pinto/cannellini (I used the equivalent in dry lentils - around 1/2 mugful)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1/4 tsp dried sage/thyme/mixed herbs/whatever (I used 1/4 tsp sage & 1/4 tsp mixed herbs, 1 bay leaf)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">salt and pepper (JUST ADD PEPPER! My soup was too salty - forgot the stock has salt in it)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">a handful of rice (I used easy-cook brown - 1/2 a mugful)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">125 ml single cream or a splash of chilli sauce (optional) (I used around 250 g natural yoghurt)</span></li>
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1. Fry the tomatoes, potatoes and onion in butter until softened.<br />
2. Add the beans, stock, herbs, rice, salt and pepper and bring to the boil.<br />
3. Simmer for 30 mins or until the veg is tender.<br />
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4. Blend the soup and return to the pan (I like it a bit lumpy).<br />
5. Stir in the cream/chilli sauce, etc and reheat. (I didn't reheat it - it was still piping hot!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI6eTRgU4_I/AAAAAAAACdQ/ySOD7fsn7bI/s1600/DSCF5198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI6eTRgU4_I/AAAAAAAACdQ/ySOD7fsn7bI/s320/DSCF5198.JPG" /></a></div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-46763645005502979122010-09-13T14:07:00.001+01:002010-09-16T21:28:19.824+01:00Vegetable Spaghetti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1XigBN3YI/AAAAAAAACcI/I5_B0D5GBqk/s1600/DSCF5184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1XigBN3YI/AAAAAAAACcI/I5_B0D5GBqk/s320/DSCF5184.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Well, I didn't really want to harvest this yet but some pesky woodlouse was doing a good (bad!) job burrowing through it. I couldn't very well leave it to be consumed by nature so I took my first veg spahetti home. Here it is. A decent size. I understand you are meant to harvest these when they are yellow/orange so a bit premature :( Ho hum.<br />
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It was relatively easy to cut into it as I guess it hadn't formed a very hard skin. I am not saying it was a piece of cake - I'd compare it to cutting into a butternut squash. The smell was lovely and sweet, along the lines of fresh sweetcorn.<br />
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I was expecting more 'spaghetti' but I am guessing you get more of that as it matures?? There were lots of seeds amongst the tendril bits which were a bit of a pain to get out.<br />
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Well, a bit disappointing on the 'spaghetti' front if I am honest but then I do think it has been picked far too early. Nice flesh though.<br />
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Alas, the 'spaghetti' did not appeal too much to me so I have to say it got chucked. It had already started to go brown by the time I was done prepping the rest of the squash.<br />
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I've saved the flesh for a curry. Will see how it fares in the taste test :)<br />
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There is one more vegetable spaghetti squash still growing so we'll see if that one, left on the vine longer to mature, will be any better...Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-7013898554228262342010-09-12T23:40:00.000+01:002010-09-12T23:40:27.282+01:00Um... what do I do with it all?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's been a busy w/e doing my glass work. Sorting out a brochure, sending a company images & info for their website, making new glass, taking & editing photos... So, not much lottie time for me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1TilbireI/AAAAAAAACbw/EQolD2iyI_E/s1600/retail-pricelist-2010-JAXX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1TilbireI/AAAAAAAACbw/EQolD2iyI_E/s320/retail-pricelist-2010-JAXX.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I didn't get out 'til about 7pm Sunday and only had a little time to do some weeding before it went dark on me. There was lots to harvest. Look at the silly amount of tommies I have.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1Rkwy31cI/AAAAAAAACbo/ZMe2bFKcRAE/s1600/DSCF5182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1Rkwy31cI/AAAAAAAACbo/ZMe2bFKcRAE/s320/DSCF5182.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Only 2 plants as well, planted directly in the soil with no special treatment - they are 'moneymaker'. Most are still green so I will see if I can ripen in batches - not enough windowsill space to do them all at once! Some are like apples! I am very surprised at how well they did this year after the tommie failure of last year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1UnC7AFpI/AAAAAAAACb4/5yxoDWKEgZ0/s1600/DSCF5183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1UnC7AFpI/AAAAAAAACb4/5yxoDWKEgZ0/s320/DSCF5183.JPG" /></a></div>Just look at the stupid amount of veg in my car boot! Tomatoes, courgettes, marrow, hooligan pumpkins, patty pans and a bucket o' runner beans. Took me 3 trips up and down stairs to get it all into the flat :P<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1U6EgdVgI/AAAAAAAACcA/k0sCyINFiV8/s1600/DSCF5195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TI1U6EgdVgI/AAAAAAAACcA/k0sCyINFiV8/s320/DSCF5195.JPG" /></a></div>This pic shows it a bit more organised in the kitchen. Looks like I have a busy week ahead! The runners went into the fridge as they go off the quickest. Next to sort is the tommies I think.<br />
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What a lot o' veg :PStephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-52133969820577291052010-09-10T07:35:00.002+01:002010-09-10T07:39:36.064+01:00Nom nom :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TInMXH5bWlI/AAAAAAAACYo/pxBYW_inMt0/s1600/DSCF5175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TInMXH5bWlI/AAAAAAAACYo/pxBYW_inMt0/s320/DSCF5175.JPG" /></a></div><br />
So, bad Steph (again!), not been down the allotment for a while. I am sure everything is still growing away but I expect it is looking a little jungle-esque! I am planning on a salvage mission this w/e to put things back to rights and harvest what's ready. As usual, I've been busy with other things. I'm currently putting together a catalogue of my <a href="http://www.handmadeheaven.bigcartel.com/"><b>glassy goodies</b></a> & working on commissions.<br />
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Last night I cooked up some of the veggies hanging around my kitchen, as it looks like a harvest festival! The pic above shows some roasted 'Hooligan' pumpkin seeds. I didn't really know what I was doing but they turned out reet grand. I added a little olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted at Gas5 for about 10-15 mins. The ones I didn't munch last night will make a tasty snack at work today. Waste not, want not :)<br />
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With the fine-looking 'Hooligan' pumpkin itself, peeling was a no-go so I sliced the little devil into two, added a touch of olive oil and roasted it too. Looking forward to scooping out the innards for dinner tonight :) Muhahaha! Ahem.<br />
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Don't suppose you remember the 'bell boy' pepper I got from Sainsbury's a while ago? Well, this is he. Look, FINALLY, the little peppers turned red. In a way it will be a shame to eat them. The plant looks great in my lounge in this red pot.<br />
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Another 'FINALLY' - the tonnes of tomatoes I've got from the 2 plants at lottie are turning. These ones are ripening on the windowsill. I am probably going to harvest all the remainder at the weekend & windowsill-ripen them too. Batches of tommie sauce ahoy methinks. The green ones I picked a while back are still lanquishing in the fridge. Also on my to-do list but they seem ok.<br />
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Hopefully next post will be photo-filled & actually down the allotment! I am also hoping to pick some blackberries this weekend. All this is weather-dependant of course. Fingers crossed for at least no rain!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-2715981826913909392010-08-29T10:14:00.000+01:002010-08-29T10:14:15.070+01:00Marrow surprise, Hooligan harvest & Bilberry bonanza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4rIWg4beI/AAAAAAAACVg/kNPu-51dL-k/s1600/DSCF5104%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4rIWg4beI/AAAAAAAACVg/kNPu-51dL-k/s320/DSCF5104%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I'm a week behind on this post. Bad Steph! Ok, so last Thursday I went to lottie to check it out and harvest the goodies. What a nice view from the car (above)!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4raqOTnZI/AAAAAAAACVo/ebESX3EgH80/s1600/DSCF5105%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4raqOTnZI/AAAAAAAACVo/ebESX3EgH80/s320/DSCF5105%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It was raining a little so I tried to clear some of the weeds from around my sweet william, red lettuce, dwarf & broad bean seedlings. Then the rain got heavy so I gave up on trying to do that and grabbed the harvest I could before getting super-soaked! You can see at the top of the photo the area I weeded and the mass of weeds at the bottom of the pic :(<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4rq_OZdsI/AAAAAAAACVw/Bd_wYUA1ls4/s1600/DSCF5106%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4rq_OZdsI/AAAAAAAACVw/Bd_wYUA1ls4/s320/DSCF5106%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a></div>My vegetable spaghetti is looking good. Looking forward to trying this. I have waited a whole year as last time it didn't work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4r6ocV5hI/AAAAAAAACV4/7essWFy1wnU/s1600/DSCF5109%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4r6ocV5hI/AAAAAAAACV4/7essWFy1wnU/s320/DSCF5109%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a></div>I have LOADS of tomatoes on my 2 plants, but all of them are green and not looking like they'll turn. So I picked a whole bunch to make into various soups, jams and whatnot. They're in the fridge right now. Just need some time to make them - bit busy with '<a href="http://glassygoodies.blogspot.com/"><b>Handmade Heaven : Funky Fused Glass</b></a>' at the mo, re-photographing things and making new goodies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4sKgOQ1oI/AAAAAAAACWA/i4_WOU5zK50/s1600/DSCF5110%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4sKgOQ1oI/AAAAAAAACWA/i4_WOU5zK50/s320/DSCF5110%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a></div>I harvested some tasty goodies - beetroots, green & yellow courgettes another MAHOOSIVE marrow which I didn't even spot growing and was lurking beneath the leaves - it was a bit of a surprise I can tell you!, runner beans...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4saG4XavI/AAAAAAAACWI/vEhTLzdF7QA/s1600/DSCF5111%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TG4saG4XavI/AAAAAAAACWI/vEhTLzdF7QA/s320/DSCF5111%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a></div>...patty pans, hooligan pumpkins (both upside down, drying here) and a couple of banana peppers. Alas the peppers were all soft and tasted horrid so they went to compost heaven.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGfsc14AgI/AAAAAAAACWQ/17WSW72UCHs/s1600/DSCF5112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGfsc14AgI/AAAAAAAACWQ/17WSW72UCHs/s320/DSCF5112.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGgHaAKfDI/AAAAAAAACWY/siaAMXFe9wE/s1600/DSCF5113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGgHaAKfDI/AAAAAAAACWY/siaAMXFe9wE/s320/DSCF5113.JPG" /></a></div>I went to visit my folks and took the MAHOOSIVE marrow with me. I weighed it on my mum's kitchen scales and this made me laugh - 'ERROR' - I think the scales were saying "too heavy! get it off, get it OFF!" :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGgZKw4a_I/AAAAAAAACWg/2peu6B24lyo/s1600/DSCF5123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGgZKw4a_I/AAAAAAAACWg/2peu6B24lyo/s320/DSCF5123.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I took it to the bathroom scales. I think it was about 8.5lbs! A monster. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGgnEOmLVI/AAAAAAAACWo/Jm3mrBW8P-Q/s1600/DSCF5121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGgnEOmLVI/AAAAAAAACWo/Jm3mrBW8P-Q/s320/DSCF5121.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look how proud I am of my 'marrow bowtie' ;)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGg2xJ-qvI/AAAAAAAACWw/4ionLY2ChlU/s1600/DSCF5124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGg2xJ-qvI/AAAAAAAACWw/4ionLY2ChlU/s320/DSCF5124.JPG" /></a></div>My folks and I went out to harvest some wild goodies. Free food - who wouldn't!? I picked my first ever bilberries. Absolutely delicious! A few may, or may not, have fallen into my face... ;) Hehehe! They're very stainy and quite time-consuming to pick as they only grow in ones or twos, hidden in the leaves of the bilberry bushes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGhHAqtirI/AAAAAAAACW4/JwCOsmk-iNc/s1600/DSCF5125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGhHAqtirI/AAAAAAAACW4/JwCOsmk-iNc/s320/DSCF5125.JPG" /></a></div>My mum said they were quite expensive to buy and I now understand why. The three of us were picking for around two hours and got this 700g-ish haul. I looked how much this would cost to buy and calculated it was around £32! Nice :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGhWn0a70I/AAAAAAAACXA/Ij_q7GkJt9U/s1600/DSCF5128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/THGhWn0a70I/AAAAAAAACXA/Ij_q7GkJt9U/s320/DSCF5128.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We also picked 1500g of rowanberries. Lovely!</div><br />
I'm at my big bro's place in Kent this w/e. We're about to go for a walk so I'm going armed with plastic bags in case we come across any blackberries or other fruity goodies. He has a plum tree in his garden so I am taking some of those. Just have to shin up a ladder! I've already added some plum jam & chutney recipes to the recipe list. Hope you're making the most of all the fruit & veg ready at this time of year. I really need to get in the kitchen and preserve all my goodies.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-69610040701765979672010-08-17T22:50:00.002+01:002010-08-17T23:47:20.277+01:00Popularity of chocolate courgette cakes and muffinsHa! Well, post a photo of <a href="http://allotment-antics.blogspot.com/2010/08/chocolate-courgette-cake-nom-nom.html"><b>cakes</b></a> on facebook and you get recipe requests :) I've had 2 today from old schoolfriends which is really great. I hope they enjoy making them. I've had so many great comments on the taste of these cakes & how moist are. I have to admit to having 3 of the muffins today - can't help myself. At least they are crammed full of veg... I know one colleague defo had 2 today, if not 3 as well. The same colleague wanted to kiss me when I told her I'd made them gluten-free, just for her benefit & said she'd dream about them tonight ;) She went from sulking thinking they weren't GF to a super-big grin! Bless her. She's the one who invited us to 'tea' tomorrow. Looking forward to that. I tend to make most things GF - my mum has coeliac disease, so it is just easier to keep GF flour for when she visits. Probably does me good too. Everyone I've tried these cakes on loves this recipe - esp me!! Dead easy too, so get baking :D <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TGsBsedKMzI/AAAAAAAACTY/h870-4NSA9Q/s1600/pberry18_1208431c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TGsBsedKMzI/AAAAAAAACTY/h870-4NSA9Q/s320/pberry18_1208431c.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="caption">Mary Berry.</span> <span class="credit">Photo: <span id="goog_1141934824"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/">ANDREW CROWLEY<span id="goog_1141934825"></span></a> / telegraph.co.uk</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="imageExtras" style="width: 460px;"></div></div><br />
Speaking of baking, my hero, Mary Berry, was on tv tonight. The Cotswolds, cake <i>and</i> MB all in one show? Fab! Did you catch it? No sign of courgette cakes, but one beetroot one! Series link here: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00thy2x" target="_blank"><b>The Great British Bake Off</b></a>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-27900348282585609202010-08-17T00:52:00.003+01:002010-09-13T00:01:01.477+01:00Cricket, & chocolate courgette muffinsA bit of a random combo this post...<br />
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Not at the allotment, but nature-y so posting about this <strike>grasshopper</strike> cricket (corrected by science geek little bro!) hitching a ride on my wing mirror after work today. He/she did pretty well hanging on 'til dual carriageway speeds! Impressive little blighter :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TGnMJD8XqXI/AAAAAAAACTI/6rfNBQYCfbk/s1600/DSCF5099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TGnMJD8XqXI/AAAAAAAACTI/6rfNBQYCfbk/s320/DSCF5099.JPG" /></a></div><br />
My friend @ work just invited us all over to hers for lunchtime 'tea', so thought I'd try the <a href="http://allotment-antics.blogspot.com/2010/08/chocolate-courgette-cake-nom-nom.html"><b>Chocolate Courgette Cake</b></a> as muffins. Adjusted the time to 20-25 mins, filling the cases 3/4 full and they worked a treat :) These are the GF versions. I may or may not have had to taste test one...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TGnMZgF_PgI/AAAAAAAACTQ/K1TMsP6c78w/s1600/DSCF5101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TGnMZgF_PgI/AAAAAAAACTQ/K1TMsP6c78w/s320/DSCF5101.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Also tonight I cooked up <a href="http://allotment-antics.blogspot.com/2010/08/rainbow-haul-delicious-dinner.html"><b>this marrow and the jumbo yellow courgette</b></a>. Made a tasty ratatouille again, with some chorizo thrown in :) The smaller yellow courgettes went in the muffins.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-33978928952967691922010-08-10T23:18:00.001+01:002010-08-10T23:27:03.053+01:00Why I don't like yellow/golden courgettes...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TGHOblV4i5I/AAAAAAAACTA/BqCSvGj0-OA/s1600/4766649883_fc811c5b55_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TGHOblV4i5I/AAAAAAAACTA/BqCSvGj0-OA/s320/4766649883_fc811c5b55_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
DON'T LIKE LIST:<br />
<ul><li>They don't taste of much, unlike green</li>
<li>They're quite slow-growing & not very prolific, unlike green</li>
<li>They don't break cleanly off the plant, unlike green</li>
<li>The skins are thicker than green</li>
<li>The seeds are much bigger and more coarse than green</li>
<li>The flesh is reasonably pithy, unlike green</li>
<li>They go off quicker than green</li>
</ul><br />
LIKE LIST:<br />
<ul><li>They look pretty</li>
</ul><br />
Hmm. Green courgettes all the way for me next year!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-67141755654842405832010-08-08T19:54:00.000+01:002010-08-08T19:54:09.383+01:00Rainbow Haul & Delicious Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF7zCA6sfeI/AAAAAAAACR4/FPorCS4-3v0/s1600/DSCF5080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF7zCA6sfeI/AAAAAAAACR4/FPorCS4-3v0/s320/DSCF5080.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Went up to the lottie for a harvest and a poke about today. Lots to sort out there but that's for another day. Picked some goodies and what a pretty, colourful selection. I expect the courgettes will get turned into chocolate cakes (got a bit of an obsession with them now!). The marrow will be ratatouilled I think as I love that taste and texture. The gooseberries have gone in the freezer. They're marvellously translucent now - very, very ripe and sweet. I ate a few that burst in my hands :) The solo kohl rabi is a bit pathetic. If I grow them again, they'll need more water but I don't think I will bother next time. The purple radishes were grown for their colour really - radishes don't really do it for me! Silly eh. The patty pans on the front-left are a slightly different that the other yellow patty pans - paler and taller. There's a normal one in there too. The green beans are prolific, as per usual. But I love them so it's all good :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF7zTMYbCtI/AAAAAAAACSA/X9jJQHZdxAw/s1600/DSCF5082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF7zTMYbCtI/AAAAAAAACSA/X9jJQHZdxAw/s320/DSCF5082.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The purple radishes are very pretty - almost as if they've been painted with ink.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF7zjYOMf8I/AAAAAAAACSI/D8XPxB1BAmg/s1600/DSCF5089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF7zjYOMf8I/AAAAAAAACSI/D8XPxB1BAmg/s320/DSCF5089.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided to roast up the patty pans, radishes, some (supermarket) onions, </div><div style="text-align: center;">as well as the beetroot that was languishing in the fridge with some oil & rosemary.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF7z0aNWEaI/AAAAAAAACSQ/5bDQCOIrCoI/s1600/DSCF5092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF7z0aNWEaI/AAAAAAAACSQ/5bDQCOIrCoI/s320/DSCF5092.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everything took on a lovely pink colour from the sweet beetroot :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF70EUFSaSI/AAAAAAAACSY/N1NL_Kmqm9k/s1600/DSCF5093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF70EUFSaSI/AAAAAAAACSY/N1NL_Kmqm9k/s320/DSCF5093.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a portion with some lottie green beans. Yum yum!</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-17943825931663670522010-08-07T13:32:00.000+01:002010-08-07T13:32:01.339+01:00Cute allotment-y cardsJust browsing the net...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1JfFIA1_I/AAAAAAAACO8/Lkrggf_SfWE/s1600/Gardening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1JfFIA1_I/AAAAAAAACO8/Lkrggf_SfWE/s320/Gardening.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/306545-Gardener-s-Delight-Blank-Greeting-Card">Elli Moody card on folksy</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1O3JJDmuI/AAAAAAAACPU/UGXeTzsysTs/s1600/il_430xN.164024865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1O3JJDmuI/AAAAAAAACPU/UGXeTzsysTs/s320/il_430xN.164024865.jpg" /></a></div> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53204762/garden-tools-letterpress-notes-set-of-5">Paperlovelypress card on etsy</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1PWjHVhWI/AAAAAAAACPc/Gs8L9MVTIEM/s1600/il_430xN.134418012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1PWjHVhWI/AAAAAAAACPc/Gs8L9MVTIEM/s320/il_430xN.134418012.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/30681133/the-love-gardener-card">Yellowcakecrafts card on etsy</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1RwHw8b_I/AAAAAAAACP8/pIETdO2VGIY/s1600/il_430xN.148545326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1RwHw8b_I/AAAAAAAACP8/pIETdO2VGIY/s320/il_430xN.148545326.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48575155/vegetable-mini-notecards-set-of-six">TheCheckerdRabbit card on etsy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1Q8elsw_I/AAAAAAAACP0/0jwYp82yVTA/s1600/il_430xN.158035133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1Q8elsw_I/AAAAAAAACP0/0jwYp82yVTA/s320/il_430xN.158035133.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51413856/screenprinted-radish-flat-notecard-set">Fiskandfern notecards on etsy</a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1K-giaBCI/AAAAAAAACPE/3kTgcZjSAp4/s1600/scan0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1K-giaBCI/AAAAAAAACPE/3kTgcZjSAp4/s320/scan0006.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/317157">Andy Lanham Art card on folksy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1MhbbYecI/AAAAAAAACPM/41jNK21nVv0/s1600/2010-02_Feb_018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1MhbbYecI/AAAAAAAACPM/41jNK21nVv0/s320/2010-02_Feb_018.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/293217">Andy Lanham card on folksy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1QFXUVmtI/AAAAAAAACPk/dH31WngKC6c/s1600/il_430xN.161754075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1QFXUVmtI/AAAAAAAACPk/dH31WngKC6c/s320/il_430xN.161754075.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Surreal! Love the carrot :) <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/52525726/four-veggie-mustache-greetings-card">Kikichoo cards on etsy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1QfEvnEcI/AAAAAAAACPs/YvWgLFWYWIs/s1600/il_430xN.124407119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TF1QfEvnEcI/AAAAAAAACPs/YvWgLFWYWIs/s320/il_430xN.124407119.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/35035639/veggie-cards-set-of-5-handpainted-cards">Cherylzmiller cards on etsy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-61872516817242156852010-08-06T20:02:00.003+01:002010-08-06T20:18:26.547+01:00Chocolate Courgette Cake - nom nom!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ6XBaWmJI/AAAAAAAACNU/KeEscDfGZKI/s1600/DSCF4954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ6XBaWmJI/AAAAAAAACNU/KeEscDfGZKI/s320/DSCF4954.JPG" /></a></div><ul><li><span style="font-size: x-small;">120g butter (softened)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">150g chocolate spread (Nutella, etc. I used 'Mr Choc' from Lidl - great name!) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">100g caster sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">200g soft brown sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">3 eggs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">350g plain flour*</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 tsp baking powder</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">4 tbs cocoa</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">500g courgettes, peeled and grated finely <br />
(use the food processor if you have one, done in a jiffy!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 tsp vanilla</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: x-small;">(*I've made this with normal plain flour, as well as gluten-free plain flour and it tastes almost the same either way. I did add some xanthan gum to the GF version, as per packet instructions.)<i></i><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
1. Line a 20 x 35 cm cake tin with baking paper and set oven to 190deg C/350deg F/gas 5. (I have made this in a 23 x 23 cm and a 20 x 25cm tin and both worked fine.)<br />
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2. Mix the butter, chocolate spread and both sugars together until light and fluffy.<br />
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3. Add the eggs and mix thoroughly. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ60bc4ImI/AAAAAAAACNk/-ux8xVDgVAQ/s1600/DSCF4958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ60bc4ImI/AAAAAAAACNk/-ux8xVDgVAQ/s320/DSCF4958.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ6lXA-uoI/AAAAAAAACNc/ozI8z4ysVAs/s1600/DSCF4957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ6lXA-uoI/AAAAAAAACNc/ozI8z4ysVAs/s320/DSCF4957.JPG" /></a></div><br />
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the mixture, then stir in the grated courgettes and vanilla.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ7Ry37yPI/AAAAAAAACN0/pMoZ0M09LDY/s1600/DSCF4967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ7Ry37yPI/AAAAAAAACN0/pMoZ0M09LDY/s320/DSCF4967.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ7DWZVXaI/AAAAAAAACNs/BLvvQ1Bsyls/s1600/DSCF4963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ7DWZVXaI/AAAAAAAACNs/BLvvQ1Bsyls/s320/DSCF4963.JPG" /></a></div><br />
5. Pour into the lined cake tin. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ7gLgzuSI/AAAAAAAACN8/hZpan3Idgjs/s1600/DSCF4968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ7gLgzuSI/AAAAAAAACN8/hZpan3Idgjs/s320/DSCF4968.JPG" /></a></div><br />
6. Bake for 35-45 mins, then check with a skewer to see if it is cooked through. If cake mix sticks to the skewer, cook for a further 5 mins each time until the skewer comes out clean.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ7vKHJOCI/AAAAAAAACOE/dXJtmlRbaKw/s1600/DSCF4969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ7vKHJOCI/AAAAAAAACOE/dXJtmlRbaKw/s320/DSCF4969.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">normal cake left, gluten-free cake right</div><br />
For some of the cakes I made I put in a filling of chocolate spread and allotment-grown-blackcurrant jam. Nom nom!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ79V7TU3I/AAAAAAAACOM/rrAmxetOKAg/s1600/DSCF4949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ79V7TU3I/AAAAAAAACOM/rrAmxetOKAg/s320/DSCF4949.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The cakes are super-moist and absolutely delicious! I defy anyone who dislikes courgettes to be able to taste there is a vegetable in this tasty treat :) Hope you enjoy making your own. At work, they DEMANDED I make another cake, soon after the first one I made was eaten! I had a non-filled cake, warm, with custard but it would be equally nice with cream or a chocolate sauce...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ8LtT4ZpI/AAAAAAAACOU/qYjqBxcEtmM/s1600/DSCF4950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TFJ8LtT4ZpI/AAAAAAAACOU/qYjqBxcEtmM/s320/DSCF4950.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This is a tried & tested adaptation of <a href="http://www.allotment.org.uk/recipe/1308/chocolate-courgette-cake/" target="_blank"><b>this recipe</b></a>. I ditched the oil and replaced it with chocolate spread, and didn't bother with the milk as there is plenty of moisture in the courgettes. I've made 3 cakes so far (2 gluten-free) and I am currently in love with their moist chocolatey goodness!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-4848705617176201522010-07-20T13:51:00.001+01:002010-07-20T13:58:45.317+01:00MAHOOSIVE marrow and other miscellaneous vegWell, up to the allotment I went last night. I've not had much time for it lately. I was gadding about on Saturday at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire at the <strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephjones/sets/72157624527789034/">Battle Proms</a></strong>. Very nice it was too. An excellent way to spend a Saturday night. The spitfire fly-by put a tear or two in my eye. I'm a plane fan and everyone cheering and being uber patriotic tugged at the heart strings ;) What a sap!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TEWVUHKVwvI/AAAAAAAACMY/42jrykgiWL4/s1600/38229_413659342158_507157158_4314559_5080060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TEWVUHKVwvI/AAAAAAAACMY/42jrykgiWL4/s320/38229_413659342158_507157158_4314559_5080060_n.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TEWVVYCxoWI/AAAAAAAACMg/nqav-CwsC6o/s1600/38229_413659347158_507157158_4314560_3306545_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TEWVVYCxoWI/AAAAAAAACMg/nqav-CwsC6o/s320/38229_413659347158_507157158_4314560_3306545_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sunday I was working on glassy goodies - listing things for sale in my <strong><a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/funkyfusedglass">folksy shop</a></strong>, as well as putting together some commissions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TEWXcvYMozI/AAAAAAAACMo/_6iNQrvpGFo/s1600/3466145492_0e9c1a5410_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TEWXcvYMozI/AAAAAAAACMo/_6iNQrvpGFo/s320/3466145492_0e9c1a5410_o.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, last night I had a poke about, seeing what was new. Did a bit of weeding/hoeing/dead heading and all that jazz. I found my first hooligan pumpkin hiding under a leaf. Looking forward to these. They're pretty cool smallish striped numbers - well, they looked it on the packet! I await the stripes...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETjXyoQCEI/AAAAAAAACLI/wgYh9Pz1oMU/s1600/DSCF4935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETjXyoQCEI/AAAAAAAACLI/wgYh9Pz1oMU/s320/DSCF4935.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The two tomato plants my aunt gave me back in spring are doing so well! Last year the tomatoes in the ground died off. I am guessing from all the rain we had. This year it has been much drier and the tomatoes should be ripening any time soon. They are so laden and heavy with fruit I have had to support them with some cane hoops. Hopefully this will give a bit of support in the wind, keep the fruit off the ground and make watering a little easier to do. I may put down some straw mulch to hopefully stop the low tommies sitting directly on the soil.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETjqb1UAcI/AAAAAAAACLQ/f1FAwQFRhsY/s1600/DSCF4936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETjqb1UAcI/AAAAAAAACLQ/f1FAwQFRhsY/s320/DSCF4936.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I planted a whole bunch of stuff too (I was the last up there in the dark with a torch by the end!): hollyhocks, 2 rows of sweet williams, red cos lettuce, dwarf beans - 'purple queen' and 'stanley', as well as some 'the sutton' broad beans, again. I did most of the sowing post-digging up the last of the charlotte spuds in the big 'road end' bed. Potatoes are great for soil being easy to turn! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETkQroMoQI/AAAAAAAACLg/k_t6Xfe7jA8/s1600/DSCF4940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETkQroMoQI/AAAAAAAACLg/k_t6Xfe7jA8/s320/DSCF4940.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It was a bit of a bumper harvest. Loads of the charlotte spuds, some beetroot, courgettes, a couple of yellow courgettes and a MAHOOSIVE marrow :) My first ever marrow. I am like a proud parent!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETj8DtiohI/AAAAAAAACLY/hrLCwIhO92o/s1600/DSCF4937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETj8DtiohI/AAAAAAAACLY/hrLCwIhO92o/s320/DSCF4937.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Check it out! Pretty big. I thought it best to harvest it at this size, rather than leave it too long and lose it. My mum has a great marrow recipe so I'll be using that for this bad boy :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETlLylzOTI/AAAAAAAACL4/fZ4g4Jr00zU/s1600/DSCF4943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETlLylzOTI/AAAAAAAACL4/fZ4g4Jr00zU/s320/DSCF4943.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This batch of spuds were a pretty impressive harvest, especially as I didn't plant any of this variety this year! These are leftovers from last year's laziness ;) Five and a half pounds of tastiness. I have saved some to chit for next year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETkkoGVpqI/AAAAAAAACLo/x51bWWVUEic/s1600/DSCF4941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETkkoGVpqI/AAAAAAAACLo/x51bWWVUEic/s320/DSCF4941.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETk4bLvSYI/AAAAAAAACLw/h3FgDWBclww/s1600/DSCF4942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETk4bLvSYI/AAAAAAAACLw/h3FgDWBclww/s320/DSCF4942.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I grabbed a few beetroot too. These will be peeled then I'm not entirely sure what I'll do with them. I don't want to pickle them in vinegar, so maybe I'll find a recipe where you can appreciate their fab taste and great colour :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETld1lilcI/AAAAAAAACMA/8BXeMQ67sWM/s1600/DSCF4945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETld1lilcI/AAAAAAAACMA/8BXeMQ67sWM/s320/DSCF4945.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And the courgettes just keep coming! I only have 4 plants and they are keeping me well in stock. I spoke to my friend at work and she has FIFTEEN plants at her allotment! Blimey!! She says her veggie friends are loving her though :) I really like this photo of them in the sink being washed, with the sink edges forming a frame. Maybe it is just me...! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETlu3NEIhI/AAAAAAAACMI/KciJ0mIzvLk/s1600/DSCF4944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETlu3NEIhI/AAAAAAAACMI/KciJ0mIzvLk/s320/DSCF4944.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETmDGZCYHI/AAAAAAAACMQ/LX-i09BLrsc/s1600/DSCF4946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TETmDGZCYHI/AAAAAAAACMQ/LX-i09BLrsc/s320/DSCF4946.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And this arty arrangement is me drying them off before they go into the fridge. I am definitely going to make chutney, but I don't want it to be dominated by tomatoes or apples as a lot of the recipes are. I also will be making some into a chocolate cake! Watch this space :)<br />
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Oh, and what do you think of the new blog template? I kinda like it. Seems fresher to me and gives me more space on the page. Need to re-size my header but can't for the life of me find the file to do so! Ho hum.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-68021093539503062972010-07-10T08:38:00.000+01:002010-07-10T08:38:44.700+01:00Next close-up catch-up...<div style="text-align: center;">Here's some more close-ups of what's happening at lottie and at home on my balcony...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggasPlB2I/AAAAAAAACIw/02_aUOu0gi8/s1600/DSCF4832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggasPlB2I/AAAAAAAACIw/02_aUOu0gi8/s320/DSCF4832.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spotted these cute piggy cane toppers on someone else's blog and had to have some of my own!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDgf2vL29xI/AAAAAAAACII/E1E1QMC9tb0/s1600/DSCF4825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDgf2vL29xI/AAAAAAAACII/E1E1QMC9tb0/s320/DSCF4825.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> tomatoes starting to form</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDgf95iC6cI/AAAAAAAACIQ/i4qDhi-o5q4/s1600/DSCF4828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDgf95iC6cI/AAAAAAAACIQ/i4qDhi-o5q4/s320/DSCF4828.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">runner beans in flower and black-eyed susan vine adding colour to the wigwam</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggFHUc5vI/AAAAAAAACIY/k5CQ37b-y0M/s1600/DSCF4830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggFHUc5vI/AAAAAAAACIY/k5CQ37b-y0M/s320/DSCF4830.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">celeriac putting on lots of growth</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggMbBqbeI/AAAAAAAACIg/OgltlB07poQ/s1600/DSCF4831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggMbBqbeI/AAAAAAAACIg/OgltlB07poQ/s320/DSCF4831.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">globe artichokes look all architcturally splendid</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggTjGwUsI/AAAAAAAACIo/hrQu0gNTTDE/s1600/DSCF4834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggTjGwUsI/AAAAAAAACIo/hrQu0gNTTDE/s320/DSCF4834.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1st purple podded peas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggh5LzPoI/AAAAAAAACI4/IKrHK4ufdbA/s1600/DSCF4858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggh5LzPoI/AAAAAAAACI4/IKrHK4ufdbA/s320/DSCF4858.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">on the balcony..., borage in flower - so pretty</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggpEoqVHI/AAAAAAAACJA/OV6jmro0VVg/s1600/DSCF4861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggpEoqVHI/AAAAAAAACJA/OV6jmro0VVg/s320/DSCF4861.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">pouch of chillis need repotting</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggwLeSrMI/AAAAAAAACJI/pthOdzzbxak/s1600/DSCF4863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDggwLeSrMI/AAAAAAAACJI/pthOdzzbxak/s320/DSCF4863.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">peppers forming - these are about 1.5" long</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDgg3a1PAkI/AAAAAAAACJQ/VtHYvg6tzWw/s1600/DSCF4862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDgg3a1PAkI/AAAAAAAACJQ/VtHYvg6tzWw/s320/DSCF4862.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">stunning succulent flowers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDgg-m69QAI/AAAAAAAACJY/HzvqWhmBsPQ/s1600/DSCF4860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDgg-m69QAI/AAAAAAAACJY/HzvqWhmBsPQ/s320/DSCF4860.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">'bill' the basil plant - not seen such a dense bushy variety before. varigated too and smells intensely basil-y. i had to have it! got one for my mum too as a gift. she loved the heart-shaped potato ;) it is her birthday today. happy birthday mum! we are off to the zoo. very excitied!</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-31307811995699334712010-07-08T10:34:00.000+01:002010-07-08T10:34:12.166+01:00Freebies?Just spotted this when searching for some sweet william seeds: <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gardenfreebies.co.uk/"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>http://www.gardenfreebies.co.uk/</strong></span></a></div><br />
Not browsed it properly yet but thought I'd bookmark it here.<br />
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Does anyone know of a good place to get <strong>sweet william seeds</strong>? I'd like to grow lots next year and also get some for my sister-in-law. Ideally the mixed variety.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-72214837196370607192010-07-07T14:13:00.000+01:002010-07-07T14:13:30.003+01:00Close-up catch up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a little catch up of some close-up photos. I like these. Lots of things are looking good :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6abbAa3I/AAAAAAAACHI/IKL0RrD2wMo/s1600/sweetcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6abbAa3I/AAAAAAAACHI/IKL0RrD2wMo/s320/sweetcorn.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6VCznb-I/AAAAAAAACGw/aPZ1Gb1MnEE/s1600/kohlrabi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6VCznb-I/AAAAAAAACGw/aPZ1Gb1MnEE/s320/kohlrabi.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sweetcorn & kohl rabi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6T7hyd3I/AAAAAAAACGo/AdM-Mxv7khk/s1600/goldcourgettes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6T7hyd3I/AAAAAAAACGo/AdM-Mxv7khk/s320/goldcourgettes.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6XFsoxcI/AAAAAAAACG4/0_A16m2NdfM/s1600/marrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6XFsoxcI/AAAAAAAACG4/0_A16m2NdfM/s320/marrow.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6YrlSHOI/AAAAAAAACHA/It1hNFwdivI/s1600/pattypan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6YrlSHOI/AAAAAAAACHA/It1hNFwdivI/s320/pattypan.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">gold rush courgettes, marrow, patty pans</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6M73v0SI/AAAAAAAACGQ/68HpQ6yBB2c/s1600/apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6M73v0SI/AAAAAAAACGQ/68HpQ6yBB2c/s320/apples.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">patio apples</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6ShBxr8I/AAAAAAAACGg/LdPMhjsrgtQ/s1600/dahlias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6ShBxr8I/AAAAAAAACGg/LdPMhjsrgtQ/s320/dahlias.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6RnIN3dI/AAAAAAAACGY/SacWcacdnbc/s1600/cornflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR6RnIN3dI/AAAAAAAACGY/SacWcacdnbc/s320/cornflower.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR7hwDeZpI/AAAAAAAACHY/GkeQ3jPpOCo/s1600/gladioli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR7hwDeZpI/AAAAAAAACHY/GkeQ3jPpOCo/s320/gladioli.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">dwarf dahlias, LOTS of cornflowers with buds, gladioli</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR7LaldGrI/AAAAAAAACHQ/13JLSJ5ZFFc/s1600/ppp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDR7LaldGrI/AAAAAAAACHQ/13JLSJ5ZFFc/s320/ppp.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">purple podded peas</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-10704526134265937572010-07-07T10:02:00.003+01:002010-07-07T10:08:29.396+01:00I ♥ spuds!Isn't nature magical?! Look what got dug up last night. :)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDRDZtySdjI/AAAAAAAACGI/SbBtmLSHJWs/s1600/06072010367.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TDRDZtySdjI/AAAAAAAACGI/SbBtmLSHJWs/s320/06072010367.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491087954737788466" /></a></center>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-44825508393827327062010-07-04T20:17:00.001+01:002010-07-04T20:19:34.960+01:00Blackcurrant jam & blackcurrant booze!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-1KDfkvRI/AAAAAAAACE4/e7OyaSR5c1I/s1600/DSCF4784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-1KDfkvRI/AAAAAAAACE4/e7OyaSR5c1I/s320/DSCF4784.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This begins with maths. Maths and some improvising. The lbs of blackcurrants I picked were languishing in the fridge and I didn't want them to spoil so I had to do something with them. I really wanted to make a blackcurrant chutney, something different, but I've not found a recipe yet. I'll keep hunting and if you know one, let me know. Anyway, maths. There seems to be a fair few different ways to make b/c jam so I picked one which seemed most sensible and worked my brain to calculate how much sugar and water I needed, hence the numbers on the piece of paper in the 1st photo. I think I must've got it right as the jam seemed to turn out to a T.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-02JqPs5I/AAAAAAAACEw/X0nbxtyY7SA/s1600/DSCF4776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-02JqPs5I/AAAAAAAACEw/X0nbxtyY7SA/s320/DSCF4776.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-1pACD0YI/AAAAAAAACFI/eUcGqkBrmtg/s1600/DSCF4793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-1pACD0YI/AAAAAAAACFI/eUcGqkBrmtg/s320/DSCF4793.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-2FXmIAMI/AAAAAAAACFY/VM4jQqQ4WhA/s1600/DSCF4798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-2FXmIAMI/AAAAAAAACFY/VM4jQqQ4WhA/s320/DSCF4798.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-14WLIqNI/AAAAAAAACFQ/MmIcH01ZrcY/s1600/DSCF4794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-14WLIqNI/AAAAAAAACFQ/MmIcH01ZrcY/s320/DSCF4794.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Voila! Scrummy b/c jam on toast. Delish! Still got another bunch of b/c's to pick so more jam perhaps, or finally some b/c chutney. Might have to make up a recipe!<br />
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With the rest of the b/c's I made some b/c booze. I thought I had some plain vodka knocking about but no, I had to make do with raspberry vodka (not homemade). I think this is no bad thing and look forward to trying this in, alas, 6 months. Well, it will be a good Christmas! I kinda made this up from various research on b/c booze, so just stuffed the bottles with b/c's, squidged it down with the end of a wooden spoon and topped up with vodka. The bigger bottle I threw in some sugar too but I don't know if it will need it as the raspberry vodka is already pretty sweet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-1YxARwBI/AAAAAAAACFA/cymNpAZ1xuE/s1600/DSCF4782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-1YxARwBI/AAAAAAAACFA/cymNpAZ1xuE/s320/DSCF4782.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-5tIIvB3I/AAAAAAAACFo/IupOIIfowIw/s1600/DSCF4780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC-5tIIvB3I/AAAAAAAACFo/IupOIIfowIw/s320/DSCF4780.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Roll on Christmas!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-23049990187444069342010-07-03T11:07:00.003+01:002010-07-03T11:14:14.751+01:00A quick 20 minutes... PAH!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC0U04dRnnI/AAAAAAAACEo/_H25crsfN9U/s1600/4753286790_b7cd10e72f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC0U04dRnnI/AAAAAAAACEo/_H25crsfN9U/s320/4753286790_b7cd10e72f_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I <i>should</i> have sorted this post out mid-week but I just didn't get round to it. I went to lottie for a quick raspberry pick. Ya know, a short 20 mins to harvest the first of the fruit ready for picking, then back home to do other things. Well, as usual, that 'quick 20 minutes' turned into a full-blown 3 hours! To be honest though, I was really pleased to actually spend a good chunk of time really working the plot. I got the hoe out and did lots of weeding. The generous watering the plants are getting is, of course, benefiting the weeds too. Once the hoe gets pushed around the plot is transformed and looks nice and tidy. I have very tidy plot neighbours so I usually get guilty if mine looks messy. Silly really!<br />
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I also re-jigged bits of the plot I'd planted out. Some plants were being overshadowed by others so they needed to be moved to get more light etc. The peppers in the med bed were being dwarfed by the tomatoes so they got re-homed. Also the charlotte potatoes from last year have popped up again (great, as they were SUPER delicious) and were encroaching on my aubergines. Aubergines, why do I bother? Last year they didn't do all that great and this year they don't look all that great either! Maybe next year I will learn not to bother....!<br />
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FINALLY, I have success with sunflowers. This is the 3rd or 4th lot of seed I've tried to get going and by a miracle I've got 4 plants looking pretty good. The rest of the seed were a no-show and the earlier seedlings I tried just got munched. I am amazed at how hard I have found it to get sunflowers growing happily. Aren't they meant to be a doddle, something a child could grow?! Anyhoo, I've moved these into final growing positions and put in some support canes. The way I got them to grow eventually was like with the peas - in plastic bottle tubes in an attempt to keep the slugs away.<br />
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I mentioned the rogue charlotte potatoes just now. Well, I had to dig up some of the plants that were growing through the path and over the aubergines - they had to go. Even harvesting a little early I got a good crop from the few plants I culled. There are still lots left. I am sure I will have charlotte pots popping up in the 'road end' big bed for lots of seasons to come, which to be honest, is no bad thing :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC0UzCp0D3I/AAAAAAAACEg/UPis4oiwQIQ/s1600/4753288418_203c538cd9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC0UzCp0D3I/AAAAAAAACEg/UPis4oiwQIQ/s320/4753288418_203c538cd9_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I also spotted this red lettuce (variety unknown - any ideas?), growing under the patio apple, seemed to be nibble-free. Odd, I thought, as I've avoided planting lettuces due to the expected battle with the slugs. I can just about handle the holes in spinach as I love spinach so much. Well, reading blogs and lottie sites, as I do, I learned something I didn't know. Red lettuces don't appeal to slugs. Well I never, why didn't anyone tell me this before?! That's it, I am definitely stocking up on red lettuce seed to grow my own. I actually prefer the red varieties of lettuce anyway - it appeals to my artistic eyes more than the green. These are a few leaves I grabbed to munch on. Tasty :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC0UxtFchJI/AAAAAAAACEY/WGLUr_V9zl4/s1600/4753289720_f25e360113_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TC0UxtFchJI/AAAAAAAACEY/WGLUr_V9zl4/s320/4753289720_f25e360113_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I also finally planted out the last lot of sweetcorn that was struggling along in the containers I'd planted the seed into. Poor things needed space to grow. I planted out 24 seedlings so if their older brothers are anything to go by they should do well. Fingers crossed.<br />
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Oh, and I <i>did </i>pick some raspberries and it did take a 'quick 20 minutes'! I just got the ripe ones from outside the netting and it was enough for a bowl of rasps for pud. However mostly they need a little more time before the main harvest. I also brought home some of the cornflowers which are making a great sugarsnap support, as well as looking fabulous.<br />
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The weekend is ear-marked for catching up on <a href="http://www.handmadeheaven.biz/" target="_blank"><b>my glassy goodies business</b></a> but I am getting a 'go down the allotment' urge already! I also need to do something with all those blackcurrants I picked the other day.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6351808321974510712.post-34601582516968626372010-06-30T14:27:00.002+01:002010-06-30T15:11:59.862+01:00Strawberry & Fudge Cheesecake / Strawberry Curd RecipesWhat to make with lots of strawberries? Well, with my first batch I made this awesome <strong><a href="http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/toffee-fudge-and-strawberry-cheesecake">strawberry & fudge cheesecake</a></strong>. <br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: x-small;">75g butter, melted, plus extra for greasing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">250g HobNobs biscuits</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">250g vanilla fudge</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">300g mascarpone </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">400ml double cream, softly whipped</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">250g strawberries, sliced</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 tsp icing sugar</span></li>
</ul>1. Lightly butter a 23cm springform cake tin. Pulse the biscuits to crumbs in a food processor. Add the melted butter and pulse until combined and clumped together. Tip into the base of the tin and press down evenly. Chill. <br />
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2. Meanwhile, put 200g of the fudge in a large bowl and melt in a microwave for 1 minute on High, or until it forms a soft paste (or alternatively melt in a pan over a very low heat). Cool slightly. Beat the mascarpone in a bowl with a wooden spoon until soft, then add to the melted fudge and mix until combined. Gently fold in the whipped cream. <br />
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3. Chop the remaining fudge into small chunks and stir into the filling. Add a few chopped strawberries too. Spoon over the chilled biscuit base, smoothing the top. Cover and chill for 6 hours or overnight – the fudge will set the cheesecake.<br />
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4. Once set, put the strawberries in a bowl and toss with the icing sugar. Set aside to macerate for 20 minutes. Cover the top of the cheesecake with these strawberries.<br />
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Serve chilled.<br />
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This is my work-in-progress shot...<br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TCtAE_R-HUI/AAAAAAAACEA/KHFcWjA9W3c/s1600/tin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TCtAE_R-HUI/AAAAAAAACEA/KHFcWjA9W3c/s320/tin.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And the final thing, ready to take to share at work.<br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TCtAGEaXndI/AAAAAAAACEI/AmoN5SftI8A/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TCtAGEaXndI/AAAAAAAACEI/AmoN5SftI8A/s320/cake.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I also made <strong><a href="http://australianfood.about.com/od/breakfast/r/strawberry_curd.htm">strawberry curd</a></strong>. Only made lemon curd before so wasn't sure how it would turn out. It isn't as set as a lemon curd but thickened ok and tastes amazing - actually just like a strawberry cheesecake!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TCtAHTydc0I/AAAAAAAACEQ/bo1iDVcTE4c/s1600/curd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCOCwavEUho/TCtAHTydc0I/AAAAAAAACEQ/bo1iDVcTE4c/s320/curd.jpg" /></a> </div><ul><li><span style="font-size: x-small;">500g (1lb) strawberries, washed, hulled & halved</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">100g (3 1/2 oz) white granulated sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">60g (2 oz) salted butter, roughly chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 large eggs, beaten</span></li>
</ul>1. Place strawberries plus 2 tbsp of water in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Cover and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the strawberries are really soft. <br />
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2. Pour into a mesh sieve over a clean, heatproof bowl and use the back of a spoon to push the strawberry pulp through into the liquid. <br />
<div></div>3. Place the heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water on medium heat. Make sure the bowl fits snugly and that the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. Add the sugar, beaten eggs and butter to the bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until the butter melts. Continue to stir constantly for about 10 minutes. <br />
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4. Turn the heat up and continue to stir for another 10 minutes or until the mixture thickens. It's important to keep stirring otherwise the mixture could curdle.<br />
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5. Carefully pour mixture into hot sterilized jars and seal. (Makes 2 jam jars)<br />
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Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.com5