Don't waste the sunshine

Winters come and winters go. Yet I always feel a little sad when my favourite season draws to close.  I've been relishing these last few weeks of winter making the most of cosy fires, hearty soups, spicy mulled wine and wearing my favourite coats and scarves.  

But there's no stopping spring and the changes in the garden clearly signal that the end of winter is nigh. I must admit it is good to be spending much more time in the garden now the days are sunnier and the soil feels warmer.  

After several years in Tasmania, I know there are plenty of late frosts so I won't get carried away planting much just yet.  I'm still enjoying the indoor gardening phase of planning, checking seed stocks and sowing some early spring veg in the green house.  Outside, the veg we planted in autumn, that seemed to spend most of winter sulking, is now going great guns so we have broccoli, parsnips, kale and leafy greens to eat right now. 

The most obvious sign that spring is on the way, are these longer days. A little more sunshine each day is welcome and allows the peeps a little more play outside.  "Don't waste the sunshine" my little one called as he headed out the door to enjoy those extra moments of sunny play today. Spring is on the way.

Justb!

I'm very excited to announce that I'll be writing and photographing regular recipes over the awesome website Justb.  Yesterday the first recipe was published for Welsh cakes. Have you made them?  You should try them, they're super easy! 

As you can imagine, I am over the moon to be asked to join Pip's wonderful team involved with Justb.  I couldn't quite believe it was true until this was published yesterday and had to pinch myself quite often.  I really love the site and read the Newsy Snacks everyday. You should go and check out Justb too, off you go! 

My famous artichoke...

On the weekend I was so happy to get my hands on an early copy of this new book :: Hurrah!  It's always so exciting to see the end result of a project you've played a (small) part in.

This is the new Gourmet Farmer  Deli Book co written by Matthew, Ross and Nick and it is gorgeous!  Divided into chapters of dairy, meat, fish and vegetables, this book is not only a manual on how to cure, pickle, smoke and ferment, there are also the delicious recipes using these ingredients. Clotted cream, paneer, ham, smoked trout, pastrami, olives, pickled cucumbers or mustard, this book shows you how to make all your deli favourites then turn them into something extra tasty.




Of course, the best part of the book is this here artichoke.  Perfect isn't it?  And it's the one element that I am personally so very proud. Because I grew it. Yes. I. did. In my garden.  My artichoke is a centrefold. Well, featured in a chapter opening double page spread anyway.

Back in the old days, when I worked in an office in the big smoke, whenever the pressure got too much, my colleagues and I would often wish we could pack it all in, move to the county and sell artichokes by the side of the road.  Now whilst I'm yet to build a stand with an honesty box next to the driveway, you can see why my artichoke being in print is just as rewarding.

I know, I know, you'd like to run out and buy this book for its stunning artichokes alone, but there is also the beautiful photography by the very clever Alan, the lovely tactile rustic linen cover and most of all, the amazing depth of knowledge so generously shared within by three very talented chaps.

Lullaby blankets

A few weeks back I went away for a weekend to Bruny Island with a group of friends.  Filled with good food, wine, walks along the beach and lots of cups of tea, it was a much needed break on my favourite island.

In the evenings, one friend Jackie would start stitching lengths of vintage blankets for a project she was working on called Lullaby Blankets.  A project involving women from different refugee communities in Hobart who have all chosen a lullaby from their country of origin to sew onto a blanket.  What touched me, was hearing that whilst some of the lullabies were traditional, some were newer ones, composed in refugee camps, with lyrics along the lines of "there's no food my baby but you must go to sleep" Oh my. Heartbreaking.

I wanted to help, so offered the best way I know how. Helping cook for the launch at the wonderful Craft Hive.  With a small budget and taking into consideration that some guests would be observing Ramadan, that is, some won't have eaten all day, I devised a menu to feed up to 60 guests.  I worked all day on Friday cooking yummy things like mini potato tortillas, lentil and couscous balls with garlicky yoghurt dipping sauce and brown sugar mushroom and tofu rice paper rolls.  I was too frantic to get this lot finished in time before school pick up to take photos of the end product.  Just a few work in progress snaps.  But I did it, and I loved it and it felt great to help a friend with an amazing project.

If you're in Hobart you should check out the exhibition. The blankets are so very touching, and I'm so very grateful that I have never had to soothe a hungry child to sleep.