Is this the way to Tamarillo?

It's a while since I have written about Tamarillos.  Well let's be honest here, it's a while since I've written about anything really.

However when I made up these yummy poached Tamarillos the other day it reminded me of some earlier posts I had written - like here, also here too..... and noticing that I am still a very irregular blogger!

The Tamarillo is an easy fruit to grow.  The tree looks remarkably uninteresting. However it produces fairly consistently.  The fruit is tart tasting.  A little like a cross between an acidic passionfruit and a tomato (if that makes sense!).

We have found the best way to eat them is lightly poached.  They are fine raw - however like passionfruit there is only really one scoopful of seed and pulp.  Once skinned (dunked into boiling water for a few minutes, the cold water the skin will peel off nicely like a tomato).  Photo below shows pre-peeling.

Then I just add some sugar, vanilla and a spoon of honey.  This all sounds very sweet, but I taste as I go and it is not necessary to add too much of each.  The end result is lovely!  Particularly nice over fruit salad.

or plain Greek yoghurt.

Has anyone tried Tamarillos? You can read more about facts about growing them here.

That's all for now.
cheers Wendy 

Brussel Sprouts look out!

Actually these are mini-cabbages.

Seems we have to pick them early before the Wicked White Moths descend.  I'd like to say that it is a good way to eat them, but sadly it is not.

Speaking of cooking. ...... what do you cook on?  I don't mean hotplate or grill, or even brand names of saucepans, I'm talking type of cookwear.

I think I've tried them all.  Starting off with a very expensive stainless steel set when first married.  Then the various teflon types.  However, I've always been wary of teflon.

So we have gone back to the basics.  Not all the time, but cast iron cookware definitely has appeal ...... and it's good in so many ways.  Including muscle building when lifting out of cupboard.

Not so good for the person stuck with the washing up however!  More muscles needed here too. Luckily Son is either doing the cooking or the washing up so win-win.  He's definitely doing the eating (refer previous post  What's For Dinner Mum)!

Sigh..........I have to frock up and front up to a big Big Night Out in the City this weekend.   You definitely know you're getting old when you'd much rather be at home with a book / glass of wine / knitting or all three!. .. or I would anyway.

cheers for now
Wendy

Planet Carrot

Normal broadcasting following the Olympics is now resumed at umm..... Planet Carrot

The collection of carrots from our garden looked weird... and something like this

I did try for non-offensive posing......

The weirdness is obviously due to gardener neglect - lack of thinning of seedlings after planting.

However after more washing, trimming and shaping they looked just fine. 

 

So then I converted them into Carrot and Coriander soup – loosely adapted from this recipe.

Thanks Library Girl!

I added some things from the garden, including silverbeet, some kale and a bouquet of herbs as well.  I think there was a bit of parsely, chives, mint, and of course coriander.

The end result was nice and enjoyed by all.    Next time I’ll add even more coriander.  Just because I love it (not sure about The Others). .... and because there is so much of it at the moment!

 Next time – escape to Planet Potato!

Also just wanted to mention that I followed Fiona's advice about Kin Kin products - and I'm glad I did!     *not a sponsored or prompted post - just my own opninion*

They are great - the dishwashing detergent is lovely and fresh smelling - and lasts a long time.  The dishwasher powder works a treat too.

This is something that has been worrying me for some time - the things that are closest to what we put into our bodies.  The cutlery and crockery used every day should be washed in something gentle and as natural as possible.

I also feel comfortable washing store-bought fruit and veg (which is all sprayed so heavily) in the detergent.  I'm not sure if this was an intent of the product or not.

What do you wash your fruit and veg in?  Chemicals don't just come off in water - do they?  I'd be interested to hear any comments on this aspect.

Cheers for now

Wendy

Ali  nice to hear from you again!!  Hope all is well.  

Maria  sorry - did I sound bossy -  I didn’t mean to!

Silverbeet by the armful

Don't forget my WOOL giveaway!  Open to all blog followers - just leave a comment on the giveaway post so I know you'd like to be included in the draw.

=======================================

I decided last night there was definitely enough silverbeet for a pie.  We always refer to it as Spinach and Feta pie, but actually Silverbeet is the main ingredient around our place.

We always plant plenty of it, and it always does well.  As you can see, we definitely subscribe to the messy, overgrown style of veggie garden, but hey, it works!

Plenty of lovely fresh greens. 

I enjoy making this, and the end result - but not all the washing up that goes with it! 

My method is just the recipe found on filo pastry packet, maybe adapted a little over the years as I've been making it.  I forgot to take any making or baking photos, but this is the end result.

 

If I'm very strict and crack the whip a few times at the boys (!) we can sometimes stretch it out to last 2 nights (remember there are only three of us).  Lots of other veggies - usually some baked pumpkin and steam broccoli go well with it.

cheers for now

Wendy

Just one more - please?

This is a wonderful recipe for Ginger Crunch  I found here.

However, it should come with a warning.  These are terrible!   Terrible as in - it's very difficult to just eat one.  They are so yummy, but should be avoided if you are counting calories, sugar levels or cholesterol I think!  They are very sweet and more-ish.

The caramellised icing is just lovely, and I think I might even try it on plain biscuits.  I added extra ginger in just about all of this, my ground ginger was almost out of date, so I doubled it.  Plus I had some fresh ginger in the fridge, so I grated some into the base.  Obviously we like ginger here.

I have cut and sliced and put in the freeze in some hope of portion control!  ... and yes, I am the main offender.

=======

New purchase of this Esi-Yo gadget.  Yes, another case of re-cluttering for sure.  However, I have thought about buying one for some time.  I found this in an op shop for bargain price - have not seen a thrifted one before.

If it can save some money on store-bought yoghurt then it will be a great investment.  I noticed that Tania has just bought one too!  Maybe we can compare results!

I'd just love some advice / tips if anyone has used one recently.  Any special recipes or methods that work would be much appreciated.  I'll try it over the weekend and see how it performs.

=====

Sports news - on the football front, big excitement tonight.  I know that there will be a lot of major games played elsewhere this weekend.  However, this is Friday night football in a far away suburb (oh joy).  Our son's team plays the district junior rugby league U'16s Grand Final.   It would be wonderful if they could win the title 2 years in a row!  They have had a really exciting year this year.  This will be his last year playing - he has decided that Year 12 will be busy enough.  Wish us luck - it will be a l o n g drive home otherwise!!

Cheers for now  - Wendy

Waving Hi to new followers Tania & S too!

My reply to comments on Is Your Tea Cosy?

Suzanne - thanks for hosting!  Great idea and lots of lovely cosies. 

Tania @ Out Back - yes, I think you're right Tania.  See how bad I am, can't even tell the different between knit and crochet!  That is probably why I can't crochet.
Kate - I'll let you in on a not-so-secret fact about the red tea pot.  It's a Maxwell Williams and easily sourced from most kitchen shops.  ...... not so sure about Broome though!

Judith - I like your blue one too!  So many variations on a theme aren't there?

Ali - show us your chicken Ali!  How about hosting a tea cosy swap!?

saving for travel - well have a cuppa SFT - I've now prompted you with tea and coffee.