Thursday 31 May 2012

Pumpkins - Potted Plants


Two pumpkins are harvested, now they are sitting under the sun for a few days at least.  My hope is for prolonged dry weather.  The self-sown pumpkin has three pumpkins all together, they are more than enough for us, I had cooked beautiful dishes from one of the pumpkins.  In fact, I cooked the flowers and the baby pumpkin as well, they were very delicate and tasty.
Today is a sunny day, strong, healthy and fit people would do outdoor activities.  Rayner is mowing the grass after a hectic morning playing sport.  The grass grows very slowly from now, but cutting the grass is a must to get the garden look acceptable.

Fresh Pumpkins are harvested. 


Potting herbs and lettuce are looking good, a few of my seedlings did not come out successfully.  To get ready seedlings from a nursery may be the right way this time.

potted rocket, lamb lettuce and lemon thyme

potted rosemary, endive and nasturtium

How fortunate would it be for us to have a fresh salad for winter from these potted plants?
Other potted plants that please me are the flowering cyclamens.  This year they do so well, and the flowers last for a long time.

healthy cyclamens are flowering, the leaves are gorgeous 

Indeed I am very proud of my garden,  I love to show it off,  this year the vegetable patch has been excellent, and the potted plants never stop to amaze me.  I am pleased to be able to share the pictures with you.

Tomorrow is the last day of the working week, enjoy the day.

Thanks For Stopping By
Until Next Post
Susy



Wednesday 30 May 2012

Mushroom Sauce

Mushroom Sauce  for  Pasta

Light and creamy mushroom sauce for pasta.  It is delicious, and it does not take a lot of time to cook. The sauce complemented any kind of pasta.  I served this sauce for spaghetti and pumpkin ravioli.


Pasta served with Italian tomato sauce is a perfect dish; however, if you like to have a change, this is a recipe for you, 'mushroom sauce.'

Use mushroom that you like, field mushroom or portobello.  I serve the sauce over the pumpkin raviolo generously, as the flavour of the mushrooms naturalise the the sweetness of the pumpkin.


Spaghetti with Mushroom Sauce and Parmesan Cheese
Pumpkin Raviolo with Mushroom Sauce and Parmesan Cheese
(a large raviolo, you can make a small size and serve plenty of them, a plate of ravioli with the sauce)


Cooking The Mushroom Sauce
serves for 2


Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients:

1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 large shallot, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
 A sprig of rosemary
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons cream or yoghurt
250 mil stock
salt to taste

Method
Place the chopped shallot, garlic, and oil in a saucepan
Heat it up, the shallot and garlic until fragrant
Add in the mushroom, rosemary, cook until soft
Take the rosemary out, add in the lemon juice, and the stock

Braise the mushrooms for 7 minutes

Take it off the stove, add in the cream, stir thoroughly.


********
Serve at once with the pasta, garnish with chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese

Spaghetti served with mushroom sauce, just enough to coat the pasta.




Thank You For Visiting My Blog

Until Next Post
Susy


Tuesday 29 May 2012

Miniatures

Pretty Miniature Savouries And Sweets

mini brioches with fresh avocado filling
a pretty plate is excellent to serve as a part of high tea.

mini ribbon sandwiches are favourite and excellent for 
elegant afternoon tea

a mini ham roll is suitable for children

mini peanut butter sandwiches are a treat for 
children who don't like crusts
mini stuffed baby pumpkins, a celebration of 
harvest
mini tarts, dainty and delightful

mini cupcakes, small and sweet

mini meringues, pretty and perfect 
 for anyone to enjoy


Ideas for entertaining, a delightful treat for adults and children.  Cooking from the past to today, 2012.


Herbs are not only useful for cooking, but  I like to use them for decorations, serving savouries or sweets.

This time of the year, some herb plants are resting and will come back in spring.  Enjoy the herbs that are there in the garden.



Herbal Notes
Mint comes in more than thirty varieties, including
peppermint, spearmint, apple, lemon and orange.  Mint
has a refreshing, tangy flavour and is available as fresh
leave, dried, or as an extract.  Besides its popular uses in tea, juleps, fruit punches, and jellies, mint is good in
salads, fruit salads, yoghurt-cucumber combinations, with
peas, and as a pretty, perky garnish.
(Home is Where the Heart Is)
******



Thanks For Stopping By
Until Next Post
Susy

Monday 28 May 2012

Pictures Gallery 5


Pictures of Cooking, Flowers and Garden


May 2012


Until Next Post
Susy