Cooking

It's going to be cold here tonight; the first signs of Autumn turning into Winter. Makes me think about soup recipes, which then got me looking up some new ideas for making gluten free breads.

After 4 or 5 years of eating gluten free I've realised you really have to work at the whole recipe thing....there is not a hell of a lot of good basic gluten free recipes around. Plenty of ones that start with "a  packet of gluten free bread mix", but hey I like doing things from scratch. Processed food is not on my radar these days...at least not when I'm at home with my walk-in pantry & fantastic oven!

So......I will start documenting some of my own favourite recipes for us gluten free vegetarians.

5 million Pak Choy seedlings & a new Orange tree

Last season's Pak Choy self-seeded so well we've got hundreds if not thousands of seedlings, all packed into a small garden bed. Transplanted a couple of hundred to a new bed so hopefully they survive...to eat & share. Gave heaps away to two other families as well...anyone else want some?! Also we bought a Blood Orange tree & put him into the bottom of the garden; can't wait to have our own fresh citrus!

Hot Day

Today was hot; cicadas out in full force while we retreated to the cool gazebo to play backgammon.....The Cat retreated to the spare room bed which had a nice breeze due to me thoughtfully opening the sliding door for His benefit.... A nice day all 'round; cricket & tennis on the teevee, lots of shade & plenty or nothing to do. Had planned a morning of weeding but instead we enjoyed a nice long Skype with Bekki to catch up with her post-Xmas. Great to hear that Lee has now started his UK job.

Our little custard apple tree appears to have died or very nearly; may have to invest in another & try in a different spot.....so much to learn & so many things we want to try to grow. We had a lovely dinner from the garden; rocket, herbs, fresh tiny tomatoes, our last Reed avocadoes from the neighbours & some haloumi, the only non-local ingredient. Picked our last purple carrots & some of our beetroot to roast with some ricotta tomorrow.....how delicious!

The Fig Tree

Another perfect day up here; rain is a'coming in the next couple of days, which is much-needed for the garden. Did some weeding of asparagus beds & decided to start the anti-fruitfly regimen today. Painted containers & main branches with eco-natural lure; an organic deterrent. This needs to be repeated weekly.

Our nectarine's all suffered "brown rot" so we didn't get any....sad if we have to remove the tree so will try to do something using milk/water/few drops dish liquid next winter/spring....

Another of our Xmas gifts arrived; ingredients/pack for making Ginger Beer...Mmmmm. Will get onto that later....thank you for the lovely gift, Bekki!