Friday 30 August 2013

Garden To Kitchen


Potted Vegetables and Herbs

Carrots, lamb lettuce, sorrels, and herbs were harvested today from the potted plants.  I must say that the potted herbs and vegetables are looking good.
Carrots
Carrots and Lamb Lettuce


Dills

Carrots and Vegetables

Garlic chives, dill, lamb lettuce, sorrel, coriander,
fennel and mints

The carrots have been growing in the pot for a while, but I think they are good enough for cooking, they are not woody, but the shape is strange not like regular carrots.

In the Kitchen
Cooking the carrots and mushroom, an excellent combination, it was a tasty side dish for the family dinner.  The mixed fresh herbs are for baking cheese and herbs bread loaf.


Herb and Cheese Bread Loaf

Ingredients
First (flour, cheese and herbs)
3 cups self-rising flour
3 cups chopped mixed greens and herbs
 (lamb lettuce, sorrels, mints, coriander, fennel frond,  chives and dill)
100 g tasty cheese, grated
75 g Feta cheese, crumbled
The second (the egg and oil mixture)
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup and a half milk
(Mix the three ingredients together)

Method
Set the oven up to 200 degrees C
Place the first ingredients in a large bowl,  add the second ingredients in (the egg and oil mixture)
Mix them together quickly to make a mixture to a drop spoon consistency
Spoon the mixture onto a large loaf tin
Bake in preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes
Keep in a tin for 10 minutes, then remove from the tin to cool
Freshly Baked Herb and Cheese Bread Loaf

Herbs and Vegetable Omelet
Lamb lettuce is suitable for mixed fresh leafy salad, and also for cooking, to add into soup, omelette etc.
Cooking the omelette

Herbs and Vegetable Omelet

Slice the omelette and serve with the vegetable salad to go with the savoury muffins.


Muffins
The leftover cheese bread mixture made two savoury muffins, which suffice to serve for lunch.
Herbs and Cheese Muffins
Celeriac
Only one celeriac has survived to grow, and it has been a long time growing in a pot.  It is time to harvest.  I picked it this morning, and I will make the most of it.  The celeriac is small, weighs about 418 grams.   Half of it I made a mash, with potato, it was delicious, and the other half I prepared for celeriac remoulade.
Sliced celeriac in lemon and water
Celeriac Remoulade





Preparation for celeriac: peel, chop or slice and soak it in water mixed
with lemon juice to prevent from oxidation.  From here you could boil for a mash or sliced into beautiful strips for the remoulade.


Mashed Celeriac 
Meat Patty served with
Celeriac Remoulade
Mashed Celeriac and Potato 
Boil together with the potato until soft, mash smoothly, then add milk, butter and salt.  Mix together to make a smooth mixture.  Serve hot with garnishes.




The family love the mashed potato and celeriac served with chicken.  I prepared simple chicken galantine which is traditionally served cold in aspic, but it was delicious to be served hot.  The remainder of the galantine is sliced thinly and served cold with salads.


Chicken Breast Galantine Served
  with  Mashed  Potato+Celeriac 
For a complete meal, it needs vegetables to garnish.  The honey carrots and sauteed mushroom went very well with the dish.





Sliced Galantine of
Chicken Breast
Fresh vegetables, herbs, after they are washed, keep well refrigerated.  From here, you are ready to consume them. Use it for salad,  for cooking and also use them to stay leftover meat to keep moist.  This is what I do, slice leftover a roast or any meat, place it on a platter then cover with the herbs and the fresh leaves,  wrap securely with plastic cling.
It keeps well for a few days, and you can use and serve the vegetables as well. Looking after the food properly is essential for hygiene, keeps the food well and the family can enjoy better.
Cover the sliced meat  with fresh herbs/lettuces
to keep clean and moist

To be productive is not only excellent but economical too.

It has been fun working in the garden and also in the kitchen.





Thanks For Visiting
Susy

Thursday 29 August 2013

Springing

In the backyard, flower plants fruit trees are springing, the roses, hydrangeas have new leaves the wisteria has new buds and also the crab apples.  The rain and warm weather help them to come back to life.  The daffodils, bluebells and irises are shooting up.  Soon it will be spring and flowers will be here, birds and bees in the garden to celebrate the new season.

In The Backyard



Potted clivias are producing new buds, the topiary plants are showing off their fresh young leaves, growing and springing but of course, they do need trimming.  But the nectarine tree is blossoming with gorgeous bright pink flowers.  There are a lot of happening in the garden.  The winter is almost over, we shall be busy for the spring.
Nectarine in blossom

Springing everywhere, time to be working to welcome the Spring



In The Front Yard
The Japanese maples are still sleeping, and the camellia have finished flowering, the row of begonias under the fence is coming back, all the new leaves are shiny, and the white flowers add brightness to the place.

Potted Lilly pilly plants are springing too, the young leaves look beautiful,  it is a shame that we ought to trim them for shaping. It is the case for all topiary plants.



Springing is happening now, even the grass will grow faster, regular cutting is needed, more works for the coming months.  It's all good,  springing is the sign of living.


Until next spring, more news from the garden.



Thanks For Visiting
Susy