STONE FRUITS

Fruits and lots of fresh fruits to enjoy because it is the season for the stone fruits, how fertile is our land to produce these beautiful fruits.  Love nectarine, plum and peaches, in fact, we could not have enough.  Eat them fresh, stewed, baked and mix with other fresh fruit to make fruit juices.

Beautiful Stone Fruits

Nectarines, Fresh Harvest from Our Garden

 A Time that we have too many fresh fruits and there is not enough day to consume than we have to decide what to do.  Preserve? Make jam? Or Simply Cook and Bake a Cake.

Peaches and Plums from the Market

Peaches.

Out of the three stone fruits, I have chosen the peaches for baking a cake.  Poaching the peaches for hot peaches sponge.  No recipe, luckily to have all ingredients at hand.

Peach Sponge Cake-My Country Baking

 Poaching the peaches for easy peeling, followed by adding star anise, cinnamon stick, sugar to cook for 8 minutes

Quickmix batter-a cup self-rising flour, 75g butter, 1 egg, 55g sugar and milk to moisten, mix all together to make a drop spoon batter consistency. Place seeded and halved peaches in the bottom of baking dish (the peach juice included), put in a hot oven at 175 degrees C until it is hot, spoon the batter over the peaches evenly, level the top.  Put the lid on and bake in the hot oven for 25 minutes.

Freshly Baked Peach Sponge

To Serve: serve hot with ice cream or dust with icing sugar.

The cake baked very well without following any recipe.  Sometimes spontaneous cooking and using a simple method can have a better result. 

If you like to bake this cake, you can use any baking dish, I don't have another small dish other this terrine.  It is my baking dish, which is very reliable to be used for any baking.

An idea to share with you all how to do with cling peaches, I suppose you could use the nectarine or the plum instead.  You could have a try.

It was a successful Sunday baking, It's sweet and delicious to be served as a dessert.

Thinking of you, girls and family and all the grandchildren have a good and pleasant week.  Also wishing everyone all the same.  Have a good week. All!

Until Next Post

Susy

Delectable Morsels

Doughnuts, delicious light fried sweet bread dust with icing and cinnamon to serve.  You may be familiar with this sweet.  It uses a yeast mixture traditionally.  To make a different kind of doughnut and only using self-rising flour is possible and it is soft and delicious.  Based on Loukoumades-Greek Doughnut, I cook for my family, it is simple, and you could prepare in no time.  When my girls come home for a visit, they ask this doughnut for a treat.

Loukoumades Dress with cinnamon powder, drizzle with honey
and garnish with fresh fruit-the sliced fig.

It is light, sweet little balls and to indulge with honey.  Indeed it is delectable little morsels.

For a change, I cooked a savoury doughnut filled with Pecorino cheese. The quantity ingredients to make eight is here for you.  I thought you may like to cook it.

Savoury Herb Doughnut with Cheese Filling
Makes 8

95 gr self-rising flour
95 warm water, and a pinch of salt
1 tablespoon mixed chopped fresh herbs, mint, parsley and chives.
55 g Pecorino cheese,  cut to 8 (cubed)
(Mix the ingredients to make a smooth batter to drop spoon consistency)

Oil to fry.

 Savoury Doughnuts

Serve warm as is or with a dipping sauce as you like.  

Pomegranate Flavoured Turkish Delight 

The Delightful Turkish Delight the middle eastern sweet morsel can be consumed different way.  Enjoy as it is, or use it for further cooking such as a filling of doughnuts.  Delicious to be served with tea or coffee.  This is what I do with, and my family appreciates it.

I cooked the Greek Doughnut (Loukoumades) filled with Turkish Delight, and it's delightful.

The Preparation and The Cooking.

Recipe for Loukoumades is here, open on the older post, simply type Greek doughnut to search. It posted in 2011. You may like to read the story as well. 

Today feeling creative, I am cooking the savoury doughnut and filled with cheese.  I noted the ingredients for easy cooking in the future.

Savoury Doughnut with Cheese Filling

The Batter

145 g self-rising flour

145 warm water

A pinch of salt, a tablespoon mixed herbs-chives, mints and parsley

Oil to fry.
The Filling

Cheese- diced mozzarella or pecorino

(Mix flour and water together until smooth, add in the herbs and salt stir to combine. keep aside)

Heat the oil to medium-hot in a deep pan or a frier if you have. 

Scoop the batter and place the cheese in the middle, put in the hot oil

Be very careful, make sure the cheese is covered by the batter all around. You will have a savoury doughnut with the cheese sits in the middle.

Transfer on an absorbent paper after frying.

Serve warm with sauces, or with a side salad.

Easy Cooking, the delectable little morsels to welcome your guest to enjoy the party, it got to be apart of your menu.

What To Choose Today?
Be Kind and Be Friendly
Be Good and Be Happy.

More Posts Soon.
Susy

From Green To Red

Green Tomato  and  Red Tomato

Add caption

I picked some green tomatoes last month to cook for chutney, and there was a leftover that carelessly I kept in a basket.  Ten days later or even less, the green tomato becomes red, beautifully bright red colour. I think the tomato that we buy in the shops or markets must be picked while they are still green.  It does answer my curiosity about the flavour, the bought tomato is not as juicy and sweet compared to the homegrown one.

I did some reading about tomato, and there's a question: Can you pick tomatoes when they are still green?  The answer is: If you see a bit of red on those green tomatoes, picking them individually and bringing them inside may be the best chance for ripening tomatoes at season's end. Like many fruits, tomatoes continue to ripen once they've been picked. Ethylene is a gas produced by fruits, including tomatoes, that promotes ripening.

(If you need more information about Harvest Time for Tomatoes etc.,  please read more  Gardening Kow How by Amy Grant)

Tomatoes
Using the tomatoes in my cooking.

Fresh green tomatoes
-  For sambal, green chutney, add to sautee vegetables such as green beans and Zucchini and spinach.

Fresh red tomatoes

- For tomato salad, to cook for sauces, to add to a garden salad, stuffed and baked etc.

Please look at an old post, simply type tomato, you will find the recipes.

This year what I have in my vegetable garden is a self-sewn cherry tomato.  They are pretty looking, but the skin is tight. Peel the tomato for easy eating, so you get the enjoyment out of it.

Serving the skinned tomato 

Peeling the skin of a fresh red tomato

 Italian cooking uses lots of them, the tomato is almost based on Italian dishes.  From the plain sauce, pasta sauce, sun-dried tomato to the bread making
I do this cooking in my kitchen, but to make sundried tomato was unsuccessful, I decided to by one, it is easier.
I believe tomato is one of the vegetables that are useful for cuisine all over the world.

Bread Baking.

Quick Bread with Sundried Tomato

5 Slices preserved sundried tomato in oil, soak in hot water to plump them up.

250g Self-rising flour

Salt 

1/4 cup Oil, 1/2 cup water and one egg

Mix them together, spoon in a floured baking tin and bake in a hot oven at 190 degrees C fan-forced oven for 22-25 minutes.

(It makes 4 mini loaves)

The Ingredients and The Preparation

The Ingredients 

Oil, egg and water mixture

The buttered baking tin

The Quick Mix Bread is Ready for
Baking

Quick Bread with Green  Tomato and Zucchini

6 green cherry tomato cooked until soft

250g Self-rising flour

1 cup grated zucchini

1/4 cup oil 1/2cup water and one egg

Salt 

Mix them together, spoon in a floured baking tin and bake in a hot oven for 22-25 minutes.

(it makes 4 mini loaves)

Freshly Baked Quick Mix Bread

Baked Bread with Zucchini and
Green Tomato

Baked Bread with Sundried Tomato

The Two Variety Bread, Baked at the Same Time

Baked Bread with Sundried Tomato
Baked Bread with Green Tomato and Zucchini

A Creative Day in My Kitchen.

It was a fun and successful baking, the first time baking this bread and worked out beautifully.  The bread was moist in the middle with a crusty outside.

If you are lucky enough to have tomato plants growing in your garden, you will harvest them at the right time, and enjoy the juicy tomato full of flavour. 

Remember you could pick the green one to use for cooking and for the red tomato, you can have it as you like, eating fresh or cooking them.

Have Fun and Happy Cooking

Thanks for Visiting

Susy

THE JOURNAL

The New Year
2019

Now, it is the second month of the year already, time for me to have a reflexion.
😄I have started the new year with full of enthusiasm but relaxed and calm, ready and equipped with a positive thought.  Taking the time, though to get back to our daily program, which does not vary. Getting in touch regularly with the children and family is so important, I did, and I have done it very well. 
Early January we were back to our sports club, and it was pleasant there, a good vibe, everyone welcomes everyone else with friendliness. It was a perfect day and had good games of table tennis.  It is a good sport and most of the time the day passes quickly and no mention the benefit of.  I have been doing the sport for years now, and always enjoy the games. However, I did not and still do not understand the ethics and the politics of it if there is any.  As a member, what I do is respect the rules and others.  😇Rayner said that he comes for the sports as he needs the exercises, he loves it.  

We have a busy calendar this year, looking after oneself, our fitness is the number one job by discipline yourself to do exercises daily.  To have a proper diet, eating healthy is our priority, must remember!  Also visiting our elderly friends should be improved, I must find a way to get there. That's the first goal to achieve.  Travelling, small and short trip is suited us this time.
Should I keep this BLOG happening in term of posting for this year? I know 'Blog Writing" is actually the best medium for getting in touch and sharing ideas with people in the world.  Indeed it has been great, people stop to read the blog, in fact, it's has been viewed by over a hundred thousand times. 
The Note
January
After the new year, I believe everyone stops eating and could be on a special diet. No, in our case we went out looking for a restaurant that we like, but it's was not open.  Finally, we picked one, the Korean's cuisine.

The place is so deceptive, but if you go in, it has plenty of spaces, it is clean and a very friendly atmosphere. Lots of dinners there were, we could get the chairs without a booking.  How casual it was, certainly suited us, we liked the experience, the food was well cooked, the flavour though we were not keen.  The sauce was too sweet, I did not mind the hot chillis.  I think the second of January two thousand and nineteen was celebrated well, we won't forget the Cuisine.
To note down, everything is the best way to look back.
Fixing the front entrance.  
Two Hoya Carnosa Plants which I established from cutting

now sitting in the front door side by side.  It looks 'good'.

It is the new look for our place. I think the ouse has a pleasant entrance to welcome visitors.

After Christmas at home
At last the rooms are back to normal from Christmas Time, tidy but empty.   All things had been putting away.  But this flowers of the

Centre Table for the Christmas Dinner is still here, a week later and it looks beautiful.  Hydrangea is Christmas flower for Australia.

Let it stay in a vase to dry and see how it goes.

A good life.
Health is significant for our being, live without pain that's a blessing.  However, in our later life is different. 
Take lots of walking and being active is no compromise.
The family has been doing so right, doctors regular appointment is there but easily be fulfilled.
The Season
Putting up with the hot summer is a must just like other people, learning and observing and not overwork.  Take Time!

Angel Peach

The garden is a mess to start, and with a long period of summer heat, the grass becomes brownish, and the plants are tired.  We are desperate for the rain, heavy rain.  Something to be glad about is our new tree the Angel Peach, or wild peach that it is known in Europa, is fruiting for the first time and ready to harvest before too long.
The first harvest for the Angel Peach was celebrated and shared with friends, so lucky we are and feeling blessed.
Children and Grandchildren
😊😇
The family is right and well, and the girls and their family are contented, the grandchildren are growing beautifully and enjoy the summer holiday for the four of them, and the other two are happy with his schooling, and her stay at the childcare is fun.  Seeing them by face time or talking on the phone is an ideal communication as they are living so far away for us. Thanks to modern technology.
Away from it all.
Outing and to have a change of any kind is an enrich us even though only making a short trip or to see beautiful gardens.
Visiting the neighbouring town is often we do by taking the train or motoring with a car.  It is good to be away on your own to let one be alone.  I am glad I have that chances, to meditate and nourishing the soul and be back sharing the experiences, together celebrate the friendship. 
Cooking at sharing

Fresh Fruits

Summer cooking is light, this year we take a turn to cook, and we don't do badly.  Vegetables and fruits are not from our garden, but the market can supply them.  It is the season for melons, mango, pineapple, there are tropical fruits, but one of us should not take too much of.  The weather was too hot one day and thinking of sharing and serving fresh fruit was the best way.
To be a friend.
It is easy to make excuses and just being lazy, staying at home.

Cappuccino

Meeting girlfriends for coffee this new year was the right thing to do to catch up.  A kind of friendship has been going for a long time, and we hope to stay this way.  
Our routine has formed more or less, and we will fill up with ease, and we know where we be even though the man's club is just not yet start of the meeting for the new year, but I am sure it is going to be alright.
Summer Garden

Mandeville sanderi 

It is shabby, brownish grass, the vegetable patch cries of water and all other plants too. The flowers are quickly wilted, no larger roses but the buds are faithfully kept appearing which is encouraging.  The young leaves got burnt of the summer heat.  But it is always one in every village as the phrase says (in the right way).  The Mandeville sanderi is at it's best to brighten up the place.
Special Day in Australia

Sweet Damper

Australia day celebrates every year on the 26 of January, a long weekend for us.  People get together for a party and enjoys  Australian' food, one of them is 'Damper'.  Baking once a year for the special occasion is something to look forward to. I baked the damper to share in celebrating the day.
Shopping
It could be a chore if it did not work out.  Relax and keeping safe, surfing the website to look for things, shopping took place. The good arrived, but it's not right, aahh the problem began.  It happened to us all, but it could be fixed.  Indeed, not too bad not easy though, a trip to Melbourne, in the end, as needed, but he got what he wanted.  Well done.  Yes, direct shopping in the local shop is the best, do not do any less.  Could we learn?

Letv  Phone

Bitter and Sweet
Losing the phone was no good during our travelling, and indeed for me, it was a pain in Spain. Last year was a lousy year, started with the trouble during the first month, which I never understood, I was confused it was so difficult to be around people, a very unsettling time.  A big struggle,  being careful and kind was not enough, it was not pleasant. Time went on, but the unluck was continued, when a bad thing happens to you only worst to follow.  You have to learn to accept,  and my answer was to be brave and soldier on. Believing in oneself was the key, that's the one brought me to an end to be free.😌Do not look back, the family said, and they were correct, chin up going forward.
Thinking of friends and family for accessible communication, I got myself a new phone; eventually, it's not fancy but suits me. Months later, I have not forced to have another one, but yesterday I got one just like the one that was lost, Apple is user-friendly, and it is indeed, thanks. Now, I shall communicate better and faster. Too many electronic gadgets are in the house, I could tell you that much.
The Fresh Harvest

The Zucchini of a friend's garden,  I cooked for a variety of dishes.  That was a time for me to be creative.  The dishes were the omelette.

Pancake Rolls. 

, zucchini soup and zucchini filling for my pancake rolls.  
You know what zucchini is the most versatile vegetables, it can be cooked for savouries and sweets.  Today another zucchini to take home.
Thanking you good friends for the fresh vegetable harvest.

End of the Month
Summer tennis tournament has a long gone, we stayed in and watched it on the television.  To see life tennis should be the best way but not for us.  Now, lots of programs are going on, on the TV, and we could get to 'Pick'.  As I mentioned, our daily schedule is not varied, no morning TV, the television is on before Tea.  The month is ending pleasantly, we are right and the family - the children are well and good.  
Now, is the new month, February and I believe the only good thing is coming on our way.



Shall I continue writing the journal monthly?  Time Will Tell.

The First Week of February 
Susy

IN THE GARDEN

It is time to garden, to care for the potted plants in the backyard, they need topping up of good soil and some food-fertiliser.  I have been noticing for a while now that these plants are not looing right.  A trip to the garden supply the other day was right, I got what I need, only the time to do I may have to pick the day.
On the day that I will spend time in the garden to work, I had to think about what is for dinner.  We both are going to be tired, the takeaway is not my style, cooking preparation has to be done.  And it was, two hours before working outside in the morning I prepared the dinner. It's wholly cooked, but it allows me to reheat without spoiling the dish.  Smart move.  The plan was resting in the afternoon and relaxed as dinner is always at six.

Cooking a lamb dinner, and these are what I need.
Lovely Lamb (the name of the dis)h

1. A heavy-based pot to braise
2. A saucepan to seal the lamb
3. A small size deboned lamb-1kg, cooking light braised for two.
4. Added fresh herbs, season with salt and two whole onions.
5. Oil to seal the lamb and a splash red wine to deglaze the saucepan
6. Potato to garnish, semi-cooked and finished it off before serving.

The Cooking

Put your apron on, have clean hands and ready to work in the kitchen.

From sealing to braising, it takes about one hour or a little more.

 The Lamb

The Potato

The lamb stays in the pot until the time to reheat, and the potatoes are on a plate.

From my calculation, ten minutes to warm up the lamb and at the same time to baked the potato in a hot oven just finished off the cooking, it should be working well.

The lamb will be dressed in its own juice or gravy.
I know that we both have to save our energy and I know myself not to overdo the thing.  To be organised for the living day today is necessary.  Having a meal of home cooking after working hard is a way to go.

After the cooking was done, changed to the gardening clothe, put the gloves on, and of course, I started first as Rayner had to run an errand. Dealing with garden soil mix, fertiliser and other chemical has to be careful.  A productive time, especially I got the encouragement from Rayner, and this is his greeting: Have Fun! I tell you what, indeed I had.

In the Garden

These plants are sitting in the backyard, from the flowering plants, potted tree to potted vegetables need care and special treatment for improvement.

Potting mix, blood and bone, and potash, the wheelbarrow, and gardening tools were there, and here I was ready to work.

Icy cream and blackberry for a treat,  working during a hot need extra sugar for energy

Story to tell about the berries.

Special tea was brewing while I was working.  No, it is not ginseng. but root parsley

It is excellent to take for nourishment and strength.

One day in the Market.

A market is a place where people do the shopping, and it is the right meeting place.  When I was in the market I took a punnet blackberry, but I was not sure about the taste of it, I remember if it is the one, the taste of the berry has a touch of sourness.  Anyway, I asked a young lady in the market one of the shoppers about it, and she obliged to answer.  She said it is sweet, politely with a smile.  Oh, good, thank you, I said.  😌  It is so, Me, I like to ask questions and to answer hi to people.  However, I did have a very confusing experience in the past, I tried to talk with a friendly greeting "Hi" how are you? To people that I know very well (so I thought), but I got very evasive answers.  Now, I learnt, every place is different. Inside the royal kingdom, you don't talk before you are spoken to. Indeed I am not a right royal subject.  So hard though to behave if you cannot be yourself.  Nowadays, what do I have to do?  Just be good. Live and learn!

Blueberry pleases us.

We enjoyed the blueberry, add them to ice cream, and I realised it tastes slightly sour, not very sweet that works very well with the delicious ice cream.

Two hours worked in the garden was enough, the weather was hot, and watering was an extra job for us.  The plan was in the late afternoon, we could do a little bit more work in the garden, but unfortunately, by five o'clock the hot weather stays, I was expecting a fresh change.

I think the plants are happier now, they are nourished, well looked after and feeling better.
To be fit and healthy is the best way to be, and this time working in the garden is not a chore but enjoying the process and the achievement.


We all know working hard does not hurt; it makes us stronger.  We are lucky that we can look after the place, our garden, our home.

Be Hard Working and be Kind, Be Yourself and Be Best Friend.



Until Next Post
Susy