Chilies To Capsicums

Chillis

Chilli is an essential ingredient in curry dishes.  It adds hot and spicy flavour especially the red one, but it is used as well in sweet dishes, such as chocolate chilli cakes,
Fresh chilli has a better taste than the dry one; therefore, I plant them in the garden during the hot season.  Usually, I plant them in mid-Spring and finished in late Autumn.

My chilli plants don't do so well; however, I have enough harvest for what I need.  Maybe I have better luck next year.

Chilli Plants

Fresh Red Chilli

 I use the chillis for :
- Red chilli paste (an older post for recipe-under Preserving, 29 April 2012)
- Harrisa (an older post for recipe-under HOT, 1 June 2012)
- Green chilli for green curry paste, for the rough, spicy paste to cook fish, and for garnishes.

I use chilli and capsicum for sambal goreng, my favourite Javanese curry.



Capsicums

Capsicum has a similar flavour with chilli, it is not very hot; however, it is beneficial for a lot of spicy dishes.  Green and red capsicums add beautiful flavour and colour to salads, soups, pizza and they are trendy in Italian, Spanish and Greek cooking.

There were more than six capsicum seedlings, but only one survived and has seven fruits.  Thanks, Irene for the seedlings, I am sure you would be pleased to know that I have been harvesting the capsicums.

Capsicum Plants

Fresh Red Capsicum

Capsicum paste is easy to make, discard the seeds, chop into small pieces, put in a blender add some oil and salt, work it to make a smooth paste.  Transfer onto a cleaner jar, top it up with fresh oil.  It keeps well in the pantry but soon you open and use it. It has to be refrigerated.

I use the capsicums to add to the curry, stir fry, fried rice, vegetable or lentil soup, pizza's topping, braising meat, and also I stuffed them with meat or rice then bake.  Preserve them as capsicum fillets, to add onto sandwiches, or for garnishes.   If you like dips, you can have a dip with capsicum, bake or grill red capsicums, discard the seeds, fillet them, chop and mix with cream cheese, blend into a smooth dip.  You can do more, just be creative.

Sliced capsicum-for Spanish cooking

Stuffed capsicums with fish

A few recipes using capsicum in older posts: Fit For Friday, dated on 12 October 2012 also Flavours of Spain, on 4 Feb 2012.

Green capsicums and Green chilli can add mild and fresh flavours for my Javanese 'sayur lodeh' (Snake beans braised in coconut milk) recipe on the older post under Green dated 30 September 2011.

It is about time for me to get rid of my chilli and capsicum plants, they have been good, I don't have a chance to preserve them as there was not enough harvest.  

The vegetable patch needs a rest during winter, it is good for the soil.  My potted celeriac is ready to harvest, I will do it in June.  Stay Tuned.

Thanks for stopping by

Susy

Zucchini Flowers

Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Light Batter
It was good cooking, the stuffed zucchini flowers of the last crops from my garden were fried beautifully, so delicious. The fritters were so crispy and light because I did the batter correctly.  It was made out of self-raising flours, Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt and water, no eggs at all.

The composition of the batter

Susy Light Batter
1/3 cup self-raising flour
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
a pinch of salt
1/3 cup cold water
Place all ingredients in a bowl, mix them thoroughly.
You can use it straight away.

I stuffed zucchini flowers with ricotta cheese mixed with egg and herbs.  There were five of them, what I did, first I heated oil in a deep pot over medium heat, I had to wait until the oil was hot enough.  Then I dipped in my stuffed zucchini in the batter one at a time, put it in the hot oil, cooked until golden brown.  I fried two at the time, you could do more than two, depending on the size of the fryer.

Preparation and The Frying

Beautiful stuffed zucchini fritters, so light and crispy 

 I use both the zucchini flowers, male and female.  So if you wish to try to cook the zucchini flowers, don't hesitate using the two, they both are edible.

Steamed stuffed zucchini flowers?, can it be done, I am not sure, I have been thinking about it, I must try to do it one day.  It could be a healthier version.

Use the batter for green tomato fritters.





Slice the green tomatoes, sprinkle with salts, rest for ten minutes.  Prior frying, wipe off the salt, dip the tomatoes into the batter, fry in the hot oil until brown.

Serve the green tomato fritters for garnish or serve as it is with a salad or a sauce.

Yellow rice

served with

pan-fried chicken breast coated with almond flakes

garnished with a green tomato fritter.

Be very careful if you do frying, particularly when deep frying.
Happy Cooking!


Thank For Visiting
Susy

Baking - Biscuits and Birthday Cakes.

Biscuits for a birthday Boy.
I don't bake biscuits regularly, but today I made time to bake handmade biscuits, walnut cookies.   It's all done by hands, from crushing the walnuts, mixing sugar, butter and the rest of the ingredients.  Using a knife to cut, then roll the dough with hands to make small balls, to shape the cookies.

walnut cookies

It is an easy process, and also you can adjust the sweetness of the cookies, by adding less or more sugar.  Homemade biscuits are a winner, you know what's in it, the walnut cookies are my special baking for Rayner the birthday boy.  He loves his biscuits to go with coffee.  I seldom buy biscuits from the shop, but today it is a treat for him for his afternoon tea.



The recipe the hand made biscuits for you.

Walnut Spice Cookies
Makes 18

Ingredients:
130 g plain flour
65 g unsalted butter

biscuits for the birthday boy

35 g crushed walnuts
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 egg lightly beaten
18 walnuts for decoration
Melted chocolates

Method:

1. Line a baking tray with baking paper, you may need two for small baking trays.
2. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C
3. Combine sugars and butter in a bowl, mix in the egg and crushed walnuts.
4. Add in sifted flour and cinnamon to the mixture, stir to combine.
5. Knead lightly, shape into a long log, then cut it into 18 small pieces.
6. With your palms of your hands, shape the pieces into balls then flatten them out.
7. Place them on a lined baking tray and bake in preheated oven for 13-16 minutes.
8. Cool on the tray for a few minutes, then transfer them on a cooling rack.
9. Place a walnut on each biscuit, with the melted chocolate.  Store in an airtight jar.

We enjoyed the cookies for afternoon tea, one cookie only you could have.  Remember, too much sugar is not advisable.  Indulgence has started since yesterday and today's morning tea for the birthday boy,  a masculine and robust cake I baked for him.  It looks different, not traditional birthday cake, but it's tasty, healthy and it is adorned with local nuts, together we celebrate the Australian produce 'macadamia'.

Happy Birthday For You, Rayner.

The cake is Moist Milo Cake (look up on older post) with chunky pears in it, then garnished with braised pear in syrup with cinnamon flavour, and roasted macadamia nuts.



Birthday Cake to Share.

Decorating the Cake

cut into small slices for a good health

Yesterday he shared his cake with friends, it was a half butter cake with sweet potato and honey.  It was not only a moist cake, but it had a beautiful flavour after it's decorated with icing, candied strips of sweet potato, desiccated coconuts and roasted pecan.

Beautiful Sweet Healthy Birthday Cake.
Small slices to share with Friends.

Once in a while, we all are allowed to have sinful food, sweet, decadent cakes.  It is a celebration of life.

Have it All.







Until Next Post
Thanks For Visiting
Susy

Saffron

Saffron Plants for Susy

Well, well, well. I have been so lucky that I found saffron plants at the Grow Master Nursery yesterday.  I did not need to think too long to decide that it is for me.  It was the only a pot left and has two saffron plants.   I purchased the pot, and I took it home.  Planting and looking after saffron plants, I don't know much, but I could learn.
At this stage, I like to keep the plant in a large pot, as advised by Christine at The Grow Master nursery. The saffron plant is going to be among the collection of my potted plants.

I cook with saffron when I am feeling rich, love the colour and the flavours.  Seven years ago, when we were passing through Spain, I managed to buy a large number of dried saffron strands and also saffron powder, and got through the custom alright.  I thought the price was a lot cheaper compared to saffron in Australia.  Whenever I could get access to buy saffron I do it, only last year I got beautiful saffron in Dubai, it was the most massive spices shop supply that I have ever been visiting, I have been using it sparingly, it is so good and yet inexpensive over there.

I am looking forward to having the fresh saffron from my backyard; unfortunately I could not harvest it until a few years.  However, I am so pleased to have this new precious plant in my garden.

Potted Saffron Plants

I plan to transfer to a larger pot, I have to make sure using excellent quality soil, compost and organic fertiliser,  Yes indeed I have all of those ready in my garden shed.

I will update what is happening about this saffron plant, and if I do it well, you may like to plant some saffron in your backyard too.

May the 12th, today is Mother's Day, and I am planting the saffron to a larger pot. I will remember it always.

Replanting The Saffron onto a Larger Pot

Fresh herbs and vegetable seedlings will keep me busy this week, and it is good that finally, I have perennial basil, which is useful for Asian cooking.  It is going to be fun to use it, especially for Asian salads.

Herbs: perennial basil, curly parsley, coriander and carrot seedlings.

It is for the first time that I will plant carrots, I know that proper soil preparation is needed, fertile soil with good drainage and compost are essential. I think this carrot seedling will have a right home in a pot, more potted plants for me.  My potted perpetual lettuce is settled in and looking good, they are growing well, and hopefully I will harvest them soon.

Potted Mixed Lettuces

Using Saffron

I use saffron for cooking rice to add a distinctive flavour and bright yellow colour.  I add some strands onto soups. Also, I soak in hot water, then use it to add onto mayonnaise.  Add it onto syrup to poach any fresh fruits, especially apples and pears.

Saffron for Susy is one of the gifts for Mother's day 2013.  I could be very proud if I could say " I will harvest some saffron this month".! That would be cool!

I will post a recipe using saffron soon.


Until Next Post
Susy

Beautiful Sunday

Today is an important Sunday because it is mother's day for 2013.

Happy Mother's Day to all Mums, enjoy your day and have a fantastic day with the family and friends.

It is a relaxing day for me, doing the thing that I wish to do, and thanks to you, my dear girls, for the kind wishes,  beautiful flowers and gifts.  And for my Hubby,  thanks for making the day is so special.


Susan thank you for the subscription of the feast magazine. I will enjoy it, and I am looking forward to having it each month throughout the year.

I am hoping for good weather today, so everyone will have a good time.  It is a happy occasion that brings the family together, we love our mums.

Today is a special day, for you, Melanie and Jane, happy mother's day.   Have a lovely day with your family to you both. Hi to my beautiful grandkids, Mary, Thomas, Henry, Lily and Milo.

Jane, the beautiful bouquet, your early mother's day gift, is lasting for a long time, some green flowers are good enough to keep longer.  I have been enjoying it thoroughly, more so for the card:- 'I Said A Prayer For You Today',  will stay with me forever.

Collection of white and cream flowers made a beautiful, elegant bouquet.  It is a perfect choice, Jane.

Beautiful Bouquet for Mothers Day

I thought of adorning the rooms in the house with flowers, now in Australia, it is late Autumn, the beautiful colour of Autumn leaves are the winner.

The Autumn Leaves Arrangement, Beautiful Colours.

But pink roses are still my favourite. They are not at their best, soon the roses will be all gone to rest.


In Europe right now is Springtime, all beautiful and colourful flowers are there and more than plenty. It is the joy of the season.

Beautiful Flowers

From the Angel Eyes to Blue Moon roses,  this flower arrangement brightens up the room.

Beautiful Pink Roses with a delicate scent

It is a good start of a beautiful Sunday, a lot of love I have from the family, and I really enjoy the rooms with beautiful flowers.  Indeed it is truly a home.






To Mel, Jane and Susan, thank you for your love.   Mum xx


Once again to all mothers, Happy Mother's Day and Have a Beautiful Sunday.



It's a beautiful Sunday!
I enjoyed the mother's day, face time with Jane was great to see Milo so cute and smart was busy playing with his toys, I could hear his papa, was getting ready for Mother's day breakfast.  Last but not least, I had lovely chats and urgent phone calls from Susan and Mel.  It was a great day.  Thank you, dear family!

To finish the day with a sweet and cup of tea.

Meringue with Chantilly cream and raspberries.







Until Next Post
Susy

May In The Garden

We have been so lucky to have a few sunny days in the late Autumn, I make the best of the beautiful weather to spend time outdoors.  Walking to town, cycling and gardening.

After my conversation with Christina about her vegetable garden and what she has in it, I was so impressed, and I was also inspired by her to be more serious about my vegetable garden. I have to admit, though, that I don't do much of planting winter vegetables.   I don't have as much variety of vegetables in my veg patch, but a few potted vegetables that  I have are growing very well, and they make me proud.  My potted celeriac is doing beautifully, it is fantastic, and I think in a few weeks I shall harvest it.  Last time I planted them in the ground, but they did not do any good.  A couple of recipes I have in mind already for the celeriac, just see.

The Vegetables

Celeriac in a pot with herbs

The potted celeriac is healthy and doing well.

My perpetual lettuces are growing well in a pot.

Potted mixed lettuces

I could use some of the leaves already, in fact, I must pick some today for my salad.   It goes well with red capsicum of my potted plant, they are all almost turning red.

Potted Perpetual Lettuces

Serving salads daily is always right, we love our fresh vegetables.  I have to think more interesting composed salads for this late Season.

My herbs garden is a little tired, I must attend to it, especially the potted herbs.  They have been so useful for my cooking and freshly brewed tea-Tissane.

The Citruses
Remember,  I mentioned about my new dwarf Lisbon lemon tree, now it is fruiting for the second times, and it had more than twenty-five lemons.

Dwarf Lisbon - Lemon Tree

I am pleased to see that the lemons are ready to pick, they are large and golden yellow.

I believe that every family ought to have a lemon tree in the garden, it is so versatile.  You could use them for cooking, baking and cleaning.  The skin adds extra freshness and fragrance for washing up.

Lisbon Lemons

Other citruses are doing well too, the mandarin is fruiting, the Tahitian limes do better this year, more so the Pomelo which is bearing more fruits, and now they are nine of them growing larger every day. 

Tahitian Lime with the limes

Mandarin Tree with fruits 

Pomelo Tree with large fruits

There are a lot more happening in the garden this month, the white Camellia is in full bloom, creating a lovely green wall alongside the front yard.

Next time I must show you what is happening with my cymbidium orchids, I put one flowering orchid inside the house already, it won't be long we shall enjoy the full bloom.

Until next post, enjoy the weekend, and to all mothers, I wish you to have a happy Mother's Day and have a fantastic day.

On that note, I am sure you will have so much fun,  Melanie, happy mother's day to you, enjoy the children-Mary, Thomas, Henry, and Lily.  Together with Lance and the whole family, you will have a fantastic time together.  Also to Jane, have a great day tomorrow, happy mother's day for the first time, I am thinking of you all that you, Ed, Milo will have a fantastic day.

Thanks for visiting

Susy