DUTCH GINGER CAKE

 

DUTCH GINGER CAKE

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups plain flour

¼ teaspoon salt

140g preserved ginger

1 egg (reserving 1 tspn for the glaze)

185g butter (or substitute)

2/3 cup castor sugar

60g whole blanched almonds (1 minute in boiling water, then slip skins off)

Method:

Sift flour and salt, add sugar and chopped ginger.

Mix in beaten egg, reserving 1 teaspoon for glazing. Melt butter over gentle heat and

allow to cool slightly.  Add butter to flour mixture.  Mix well, using hands to put together.  Press mixture into greased 22cm round tin. Brush top with reserved egg for glaze.  Arrange almonds decoratively.  Bake in moderate oven (180deg fan forced) for  30-35 minutes or until cake is cooked-golden brown and firm in touch.

Allow to cool in tin before removing.

Recipe Keeper App

Cooking for me is relaxing and joyful.. My Italian heritage I guess. I love my Recipe Keeper App.  I have been using it for more than 10 years now.  I never ever print out recipes any more.  

Instead, I use this app on my tablet in the kitchen and it stays open while I am cooking. There is no need to touch the screen with floury to switch it back on all the time.  It stays on while the app is open.  I stand the tablet on my book stand.  

It is easy to import recipes and super easy to share them.

Here is a link to the App. See for yourself

Shared from my Recipe Keeper - the easy way to collect, organize and share your recipes on your mobile, tablet and PC.

Download for free today at https://recipekeeperonline.com

 

This is a great recipe - Cauliflower Steaks Over Carrot Sauce

 Thanks to Katie B for this fantastic recipe.  It is easy, but looks and tastes fancy.  

Cauliflower Steaks Over Carrot Sauce - Taste Show Courses: Categories: Source: This is the link Taste Show Cauliflower Steak and Carrot sauce    Ingredients 【 For Cauliflower & Topping 】 1 large Whole White Cauliflower 1 tbsp Olive Oil 1 oz Red Bell Pepper 1 oz Green Bell Pepper ½ oz Fresh Parsley 1 tsp Fresh Lemon Zest ⅜ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese to taste Salt to taste Ground Black Pepper 【 For Spiced Carrot Sauce 】 2 medium Carrots 1⅓ oz Butter 1 oz Tomato Paste 1 tbsp Flour 1 cup Vegetable Broth 4 Sprigs Fresh Thyme ½ tsp Paprika Powder ½ oz Prepared Yellow Mustard 1 tbsp Soy Sauce to taste Salt to taste Black Pepper Directions LET'S START Step 1 Preheat the oven to 400ºF / 200º C. Cut cauliflower in half, then using two fingers to measure width (or 3cm) cut 1 slice off one half, and from the other half cut another slice 2-finger width, to make the cauliflower steaks. From the remaining slices, dice the cauliflower, and set aside in a bowl. Step 2 In a large cast-iron grill pan or cast-iron skillet, heat the oil, then add cauliflower, salt and black pepper.  Sear until golden-brown, then flip the steak, and add salt and black pepper. Add olive oil as needed. Step 3 While steaks are cooking, prepare the steak topping. Minced peppers, and finely chop parsley,  add both to the bowl with cauliflower. Over this mixture, grate a portion of a washed lemon peel for zest,  and add Parmesan cheese. Mix with fingers. Step 4 Once cauliflower steaks have finished searing, divide vegetable-cheese mixture and stack on top of the steaks.  Transfer the pan to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside until serving. Step 5 Meanwhile, cut tops off washed carrots, then thinly slice the carrots. In a medium saucepan,  add butter and wait until it melts, then add carrots. Stir-fry a bit, then add the tomato paste and flour,  cook until carrots are slightly soft. Add vegetable broth, thyme sprigs, add paprika,  mustard, soy sauce, and salt and black pepper. Cook for 10 minutes. Step 6 Remove the thyme. Take a hand mixer and blend the sauce until smooth. Step 7 To serve, cover with sauce the bottom of two serving dishes, then top with the cauliflower steaks. Enjoy! By the way, I love my Recipe Keeper App.  I can share recipes so easily.  Shared from my Recipe Keeper - the easy way to collect, organize and share your recipes on your mobile, tablet and PC. Download for free today at https://recipekeeperonline.com

Autumn Harvest, 2019

Passionfruit, Squash, pumpkin, oranges.

The Crane came from Arakun.  Thanks Amanda and her other brothers.

What about the sunflowers, alas, a gift from Amanda.
See the growing collection of Rosella Jam
But the Dahlia's are from here. A very big crop this year, which I could enjoy from the kitchen window.

There's a huge crop of Jerusalem Artichoke to be excavated.... 

Rosemary's birthday poem

1948, 48, 8 …I have spifflicated the English language, but I hope you do APPRECIATE.

INNOVATE in 1948  …. PROCREATE! INITIATE  !  

Rosemary was born, in the country, into the HAPPY Spurdle family, mum and dad, she also had two brothers, Richard and Jim, who did both MITIGATE and INFLATE her happiness.  

1958 ACCELERATE toward schools! country and city, and Rosemary. Those teachers did EDUCATE

1968 RUMINATE IN BRISBANE

Where the famous story of the brother bought a sheep for $1.00 in order to TERMINATE it in their garage.  However, the meat inspector next door might analyse, chastise and penalize.  And CONFISCATE the beastie from the REPROBATES……So they closed the garage door!

GENIUS!

Meanwhile, Rosemary attended the University of Queensland so Syl’s father could EDUCATE. Thus she did become LITERATE and did GRADUATE in order to VETERINARIATE.

To TERMINATE her graduation, Australia she did VACATE!

Our loss, England’s gain. She plied her Vetcraft and so did educate, exterminate, operate, ligate, prescribe, imbibe, euthanise, surprise and CASTRATE to stop the FORNICATE, or MATE.

And MATE speaking of Chris Twidle……Was it FATE?    no DEBATE.     

In faraway England their nuptuals they did CONSECRATE.

And in Congestone, they settled. Whereupon Chris did UN-DILAPIDATE and RENOVATE a wee dwelling on Poplar Terrace.

Then Rosey did DUPLICATE herself and Heather was born. A late primavera if ever there was one. And then Andrew was born…..to COMPLICATE

1978 MIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA was the order of the day.

They bought a house in Morningside, from an Organ Grinder. And Chris began to RENOVATE and UN-DILAPIDATE. With Andrew in a supervisory role.

1988 Met up with the Lears and our sons did RECIPROCATE.  We had easy Sunday night meals together. Then Elizabeth upped the Anti. Meanwhile the walks, together with Deanne, we had in Bulimba before coffee at OTHELLO’S did EXHILARATE

1998 Regular visits back to the UK would DISCOMBOBULATE Rosemary. For a start, two summers each year. Crazy! Even though intriguing in-laws and children would ACCOMMODATE, there were also boats and Vans to NEGOTIATE. And with the Lears, from time to time, and Deanne, for a year did try to INVESTIGATE exciting foreign places.

For her new career, Rosemary did RELOCATE to TAFE she did her best to NAVIGATE the system and EDUCATE the nurses and the Pet Shop Boys.

In 2008 do not STAGNATE in Brisbane!

With Heather and Andrew happily settled, dispersed, DISSEMINATED it was time to RELOCATE to Maleny, where there are

·        Yoga classes in which to ELONGATE,

·        A lovely acre in which to MEDITATE and VEGETATE.

·        Aqua aerobics to ACCELERATE,

·        GARDEN CLUB, to comprehend and NEGOTIATE,

·        Regular occasions, like this, to CELEBRATE, MASTICATE and LIBATE with MATES.

All to ward off what old age may DISINTEGRATE.

But wait, I hesitate, BUT the Twidles don’t.

Instead of RUMINATING, cryptic crosswords are PLACATING, the ever downward spiral of the DISINTEGRATING bod.

NOW

Let’s not PROCRASTINATE.

And let us charge our tea cups

To VALIDATE Rosey’s life and values,

To AUTHENTICATE all our treasured friendships with her.

And COMMEMORATE in 201 EIGHT

Happy birthday. Rosemary,

From

Ann and Don Lear

Marakech Express

It's going well. I'm glad to hear the sun is out at home.  We've had some rain too.  In fact, Don had been saying that we've  had rain every day on our holiday. - until today.  In fact, we're still on the bus trip with Len and Carol. We're in Marakech.  Snowy mountains to one side and the Saharah desert to the south.  It's warm, but not too hot. It is a beautiful city, gardens everywhere, every kind of tree and flower. The market place is a huge wide town square, crowded especially at night, straight out of central casting:-

  Monkeys,

  Snake charmers,

  Market food tables to sit and eat the food that the hawkers cook,

  Horses and elegant carriages - we had a grand ride!

  Of course, there's stuff for sale!

The last supper in Còrdoba

Shame we didn't have to many egg dishes in Spain.   There were too many interesting things on the menu vieing for our attention. The last night's dinner was a knockout. We selected various dishes to share. Pigs' cheeks slooooow cooked served with chick peas and grilled lettuce hearts in a rich gravy, Rosemary's favourite, Carol loved the deep fried aubergine  drizzled with cane sugar,and me? I could LIVE on the venison and rice, served in a soupy rice, dotted with meat and lovely mushrooms. Simple, rich and delicious.   I didn't  really even need the meat, the flavour of the soup was great.

Rosie ordered a cod fish and orange salad. Very attractive and good to eat. The plate had small bite-sized of cod around the outside and large slices of orange scattered amongst the greens.

 here was a wedding in an adjoining room.  It was pumping out a bit of noise.  Then I guess it was speech time at the wedding. And that loud music stopped.

There was a "parade passed us of older guests who were leaving.  Happy to escape the noise. 

Really terrific, fun service.  Tony, a stand-up comedian, and our waiter says yes, he will cone to Australia and open a Spanish restaurant and teach people about good Spanish food. I cant wait

Còrdoba morning ramble

Off to the Patios, first thing.. rugged up against the weather, nobody in the streets, which were previously crowded the night before. Whoops, have we been ripped off with these tickets. We finally found the first one, the door was ajar, but no signs of life. Then we found an open patio and the man says the orhers we saw hey are private homes, so you must knock. The patios are not small but are FULL of plants, up to the sky. They look especially charming against the white walls. It is all a blur, we have seen so many. However, what stands out are the walls that are almost completely covered. Those with a set of stairs, those with a verandah, like a little top storey. Secondly, the wide variety and habit of the plants. There are mostly geraniums, petunias but there are many different colours, textures and sizes. The two-toned geraniums look like velvet Some have big flouncy petals like petunias. Some tumble in huge cascades from above, their flowers pointing downwards. There's l9vely hard landscape features, too. Tiny kitchens, just off the patio, wells, complete with bucket and rope. A bamboo pole with a tin attached for watering the high potplants. Lovely old photos. The crowds building like crazy. Then a coffee break, off to the Mesquita for midday mass with Don. In the middle door, full security. "Ir A misa?" Security stopping people with cameras. Scanning continuously, conscientiously. Found the last available seat in the main body. Twolarger seating areas either side with a wide screen TV. Plenty of time to spare before the start.to take in the scenery and the vibe. There was a row with four men, funny. Choir was out the back in the enclosure, where there was a bit of action, Then start with a big procession from the side. Twelve adult altar servers, 4 con-celebrants, including the archbishop, maybe a cardinal, not sure, . He didn't seem important enough,

Habit of the week, from Portugal

Attend to your neck tube

Imagine that some part of your neck can be represented by a tube.  You may choose your windpipe, or your oesophagus or your spinal cord.  Picture it as a piece of flexible tubing, like an exercise cord.  Imagine holding a piece of tubing at the top, and let it drape downwards. Relax and lengthen your real neck and, of course, drop your shoulders, too.

Now picture the tube stretching forward.  This represents the "head forward" posture, and thus putting a kink or bend in your imaginary tube.  This represents the posture when we tilt our chin upwards to lift our head..  No you don't.  Try not to shorten the back of your neck.

This week's habit, lengthen your own neck (tube).  It is a handy cue to better posture, therefore less neck pain.  So it keeps you looking younger, slimmer  and and smarter.

Dreambook Surprise

We thinking about how to bring more art into our home,  we have been so inspired by our holiday.
So I remembered one of my favourite images was in my Dreambook,  it was a photo of a young man  running towards the surf with a surfboard under his arm, che gioia.  Pure joy,!
I dug out the dreambook which i had been working on in early 2000's to show Don and there right below "surfie boy"  was a picture of our current  house. Well almost.

More than a decade ago I had been regularly attending Robin Loan's dreambook sessions, where we sit around and clip images from magazines. We would chat and just going for the images that grab us.  No rationale or agenda, no over-thinking. We would stick the images into our dreambook,  at the end of the session we scan back over those images and try to say what they mean in just a few words.  It is really intersting, fun and honest what comes out.  I was amazed at what common threads the group would have. Like magic.

The dreambook contains our unconscious dreams........ maybe.?

Imagine my surprise to see my current house in the 16 year old dreambook.  We weren't even contemplating moving to the country back then.  We were both deeply involved in the city and our city jobs.

I'm pinching myself.

Is this happening?
I'm sitting on the terrazzo of our BnB.  We were chatting with our hosts down below, one level down.  We told them about our lovely day - a boat trip, cruising around the islands.  Meanwhile they were harvesting their persimmons, in italiano, khaki. Just the way I like them, really ripe, like jelly.
They brought a plateful, "per la signora" that would be me.

Dal balcone, Stromboli, khaki, e Martini Rosso

Breakfast around here

The suggested breakfast here in Milazzo,  in Sicily,  is granita with a brioche.

An Earthquake in Italy

Thanks to all those family and friends who expressed concern for is.

We are so sad at the terrible loss of life and the destruction in those three little villages in Italy. Some may never be able to be restored again.  We were safe and sound in the USA.  As well, luckily, we will be staying further north in the Veneto region, in Verona.

Don's Eye View from the Old Dart

Settled into Dolgellau north Wales after a couple of days in Manchester and flying via Oslo to there.
I think it will take a few days to get over the jet lag. Interesting place Oslo fast train to the city few hours look around then back to the airport for the flight to Manchester.

Don and Chris T. Admiring some of the engineering involved in the canal locks.  The bush mechanics are in town

Manchester: We were picked up from the airport by Chris and Ros T. They were great to see after the long day flying and hanging around Oslo. Had a nice walk along a tow path from our lodgings to the city. Chris and I spent a couple of hours in the science and industry museum where they have several large running steam engines out of the old mills. They also had a large aircraft display with connections to manufacture in the district. Headed on to the city centre where the council chambers and library are from the Victorian era and showing the wealth that must have been there at its peak.

An Earthquake in Italy

Thanks to those friends and family who were wondering about our safety in the terrible Italian earthquake.   We are so sorry for those little towns who have lost so many and so much, that they may be forever changed.

I can assure you we were safe and sound in the USA. And, in September,  we will be in Verona, in the Veneto  region, which is well to the north of the damage

 This treasure was on the wall at Grand Central Station, together with a plaque describing her efforts to preserve tge heritage of the city.  I love Jackie.

Lovely mosaics in the subway

Reading a great book

Chef, Dan Barber wrote "The Third Plate"
It is a long discussion of the pursuit of flavor in the food.  It looks firstly, at eating local.  He discusses the culture of the place.  
He looks at heirloom varieties  of plants like rice and corn,  he looks at sustainable fishing, and at the relationship between Spanish oak tree acorns the geese, the pigs etc. 

The third plate, however, goes further , looking at the whole ecosystem and it signifies caring for the soil in the production of food.  For example,  finding delicious ways of serving the grains the we grow in crop rotation, grains like triticale. 
The Japanese undertake this when they make soba noodles from the buckwheat that they grow after the rice crop.  Perfectly harmonious.
Our land is so marginal here, we should take better care.  

Bush Turkey Blues

The guy with the tractor came and we had him shift a big mound of compost around the back to spread around the veggie gardens.  However the bush turkey got to it first.  He has raked up every piece of straw, mulch, bark, lucerne.  His mound is now the size of a small car and is still going.  Grrrrrr

Miner's leaf - what a great winter green

We took a chance and bought some of these strange little  seedlings at the local market.  They had tiny leaves as small as moss. They grew profusely during our winter.  The leaves grew bigger and the plant grew bigger The leaves are very tender and delicious .  We snipped off huge handfuls every day.  It's really easy to grow, one clump would feed a family.  It started with a small cluster the size of a soup spoon. ....bad news....the market guy says that they are winter only.
I'll be very happy to put them in again next year. Great value.

First Lettuce Eaten - not grown on Earth

Just heard the great news.  NASA announced that the astronauts have eaten a lettuce which was entirely grown on the space station.  James on Rn breakfast radio just said
"That's one small bite for a man, one giant leaf for mankind"

I love it.

The "Vero" Villanova

I submitted this small item at the occasion of our friend,Ted, attending his school reunion - Villanova College.

Our son, Chris, is a Villanova old boy.  At our first interview we attended with a view to Chris attending the school, he was asked about five questions regarding his interest in playing Rugby,  Ah those cherished  Augustinian values....

​However, the true Villanova{n} is my dad, Alf Villanova.  He was born Orfeo Giobattista Villanova in Due Ville in the Veneto region. Dad came to Australia when he was two years old and was famously bitten by a tiger snake, and lived... He grew up in Ayr.

​When I was growing up, there were only three Villanova's in the phone book-:

​

​     Villanova Players

     Villanova College

     Villanova, A. J.

I would always have to spell my surname until someone would interrupt and say Ah Villanova, like the college.  ........So I could ALMOST say "Iona College"... 

Of course,  you already know, being well-educated, that the name Villanova  is for St Thomas of Villanova. and that there is even a Villanova University in  the U.S.A.

But did you know there were ancient Villanovans, who were early iron age people, centred in north eastern and central Italy.  They introduced iron foundry to the peninsula.  

Alf Villanova, 88, sends his congratulations upon the occasion of your reunion and wants you to know that the view from "over the hill" is pretty good.  The proud name of Villanova goes back a long, long way.

And we Villanova' s all agree "V" for Villanova  "V" for victory