Rock Cakes

I know I have a recipe for Nan's Rock Cakes in her own handwriting somewhere....I just can't find it at the moment....Having Rock Cakes on my mind lately while searching...I just couldn't wait any longer...and had to make them after finding a recipe on the Internet.


Rock Cakes - (this recipe is a double batch)
3 cups of Self Raising Flour
2 tspns Baking Powder
230 grams unsalted butter
230 grams of sultanas  (I didn't quite have enough sultanas, so I made do by adding cranberries)
100 grams of mixed peel  (We don't really like mixed peel, so I added chopped dehydrated apple)
150 grams of caster sugar
Grated zest of 1 orange  (I also added the zest of half a lemon, just because I had it on hand)
4 eggs

Sift flour & Baking Powder then rub in butter until it reaches breadcrumb consistency. (I used the whizzer, it's so much quicker with a large recipe). 
Stir in the fruit, sugar and zest. Beat the eggs and add them.
Stir into a stiff dough.
Place large walnut-sized mounds on a greased baking tray, allowing room for spreading. (I think my Baking Powder needs to be replaced, as my cakes didn't do much spreading).
Bake in a moderate oven of 180 degrees Celcius for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool on a wire rack, then store in an air-tight container.

The crumbly texture of the outside reminds me of a apple crumble.
Absolutely delicious!

One good thing out of looking for Nan's recipe; I have found others in her handwriting that I will make and add a photo of her handwritten recipe here on my blog.

What are you baking in the kitchen? Blog about it with a photo or two, and leave a link here in your comment, so we can drool over your baking too.

Lemon juice for your stockpile

I never pass up the opportunity of free lemons...Thanks Poppy for the lemons off your tree.......I use lots of lemon juice when preserving. Lemon Juice contains plenty of pectin which helps thicken jams and preserves. A good batch of jam usually uses about 1/2 cup of lemon juice....so this is the amount I am freezing this time...I already have smaller amounts frozen in ice-cube trays.

I have an old Breville juicer that I have had for over 20 years...I rarely use my juicer for anything else, but will keep it until it dies....I love my gadgets, especially the ones that save time and elbow grease in the kitchen.

I am actually looking forward to the day this one does give up as I have researched new ones and they are much more superior with a huge shoot that allows you to juice full fruit. Mine has a tiny feed shoot where I need to cut up apples into eight pieces to make them fit. So when my machine dies, it will be a blessing. For now; I just can't see the  point in buying another juicer when this one still works....When the time does come though, I will try to source a second hand one.

Once you get going, it really doesn't take much time at all to juice a bag of lemons...the lemon skins were not so good looking, so they weren't used for my citrus cleaner, but they sure went into my compost bins.

 

I kept some lemons aside to use for Rhubarb Champagne.

Once frozen, these will be placed in a press-seal bag
and put back in the freezer.

The tree I sourced these lemons from has had a bad year...and not all the lemons are healthy....so after cutting them in half, any that were bad went straight to the compost pile. Please don't use the juice from a bad lemon.

Spinach in your stockpile

It was a busy weekend in the kitchen....I hope everyone had a lovely weekend, mine was spent mostly in the kitchen doing what I love...

I was given 2 large bunches of spinach, so I wanted to preserve it for future use...We don't usually eat spinach on it's own as a side vegetable, but I love adding it to recipes like quiche, stir-fries, soups and stocks etc.

Place a huge pot of water on the stove to boil....once boiling .
Wash and rinse the spinach, then cut to size the way you use spinach. I cut mine into about 1/2 inch strips....this way I can use it as is, or shred it more later depending on the recipe.
Once the water comes to the boil, add half the spinach then place lid on pot, allow to blanch for 3 minutes then lift out with a strainer.
Place the spinach in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
Strain well, then pack in serving sizes in muffin trays and freeze.

After blanching and freezing in single uses.

Stored in the freezer in a press-seal bag.
Another food for your stockpile.

Next time you have plenty of spinach in the garden, preserve it for when it is not so bountiful.

Dish Cloth swap - update

It's official.....I can now post a photo of the dishcloth that I sent Becci. Becci received her dishcloth in the mail while I was away and posted a photo and reply on the forum.....
Becci wrote.........I just love my parcel that you sent me. The fridge magnet is hilarious and I LURVE the soap! Your tension is fantastic for someone who has just learnt to knit.

I replied back to Becci by saying......I am so glad you like my dishcloth becci...The soap is excellent for my hair and I don't need to condition it afterwards.....it makes my hair lovely and soft....and the magnet is just one of my quirky crafty things I make.....I am so pleased that everyone likes my knitting....I keep making them, but I keep giving them away...lol....so now I will have to make some more..


I encourage anyone to be involved in a swap, if given the opportunity.....it is such an exciting thing to be a part of....get involved next time you see one...you won't be disappointed. 

Make your own Bokashi Powder

Today I attended the Bokashi course run by my local council...Shellharbour Council....I encourage you to check your local council and see what FREE courses they offer....Yes FREE!! This Bokashi course was totally free, and we got to bring home a whole heap of Bokashi Powder that we made on the day. You can't get any better than that. 

Notes from the course...
********************************************

THE BOKASHI BUCKET

You can compost almost every kitchen food waste including:

• fresh fruit and vegetables
• prepared foods
• cooked and uncooked meats and fish
• cheese
• eggs
• bread
• coffee grinds
• tea bags
• wilted flowers 
• tissues

 MAKING YOUR OWN BOKASHI MIX (EM Bokashi)  
((Any italics is my own words))

Original Recipe Bokashi Mix from Stephen Willis.

There are 3 mixes to prepare: 

a lactic acid, a wet mix and a dry mix.

HOW TO OBTAIN LACTIC ACID  (this was prepared ahead of time.)

• White Rice
• Wheat Bran 
• Water

1. Let water that has come from rinsing white rice (homebrand) sit for 5 days until it smells sour.

2. Mix some rice bran or wheat bran with the sour water and leave to float to the surface.

3. Remove floating bran or wheat. The Remaining Liquid is the LACTIC ACID.

To use lactic acid in Bokashi preparation: 

1. Mix one part lactic acid to two parts milk.

2. Leave for a few days until the milk protein separates from the water which can be removed from the top.

3. This leaves a creamy yellow water which you can use.

4. To keep, add equal parts of molasses or brown sugar and store in the fridge.

HOW TO MAKE THE WET MIX   (this was prepared ahead of time)

(In a milk carton add the following......)

• 2 litres water (pure rainwater or filtered water. Chlorine will kill the bacteria and fungi)
• 20 mls molasses or brown sugar (dissolved in the water)  
• 20 mls lactic acid

MIX THE FOLLOWING TO MAKE YOUR DRY MIX

In a large tub of about 80L size....Wearing garden gloves mix the following......

• 10 Litres of Rice Bran or Wheat Bran...(We used Wheat Bran...you can see the large 25kg bag of Horse Bran from the Produce Store for $14)
• 5 Litres of Fish Meal or Bone Meal or Chicken Manure (We used a bag of Chicken Manure from the Produce Store for $6)
• 5 Litres of seed remains after oil extraction of either Canola Seed or Soya, Sunflower, Sesame or Linseed (We used Linseed from the supermarket or health food store, but don't buy organic as it is not needed...Linseed is the cheapest option)

1. Mix dry ingredients in large bucket or crate

2. Combine with wet ingredients

3. Knead together until mixture becomes crumbly yet sticky, like a biscuit base

4. Put into a heavy duty garbage bag, remove all the air, seal and store for about 1-2 weeks inside a plastic tub with an airtight lid. Check after 5 or so days. When it is ready it will crumble to the touch. It will smell sweet and fermented when finished, even without opening the bag. Do not use if it is still fermenting. 

HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS I TOOK

WHILE WE WERE MAKING THE BOKASHI POWDER

Everything you need to make your own Bokashi Mix

Wheat Bran: Also sold as Horse Bran.

Adding the chicken manure

Taking turns mixing

Another happy student with her Bokashi Powder

L to R: Wet mix in Milk carton, plastic bags,
Linseed in 3 packets,
Jam jar lying down with sugar water mix &
Chicken Manure

HOW TO USE THE BOKASHI BUCKET

1. Place a 3 to 4 cm layer of organic wast on top of the grate before coating evenly with a layer of EM Bokashi.

2. Use approximately one handful of EM Bokashi to every layer of waste. Use more EM Bokashi when adding high protein foods such as meat, fish, cheese and eggs.

3. Press down to remove air after every application. A plastic Potato Masher from the op-shop is good for this.

4. Ensure that the lid is closed tightly after each application.

5. Repeat this layering process until the bucket is full, and top-up with a generous layer of EM Bokashi.

6. Frequently drain the Bokashi Juice that has accumulated in the bottom of the bucket.

7. Once the fermentation period is over, you will see that the food has been preserved and now has an appearance similar to pickles. This indicates The Bokashi Bucket composting process has been a success.

Dish Cloth swap

I have recently taken part in a dishcloth challenge where I had to make a knitted dishcloth.....To first be part of the dishcloth challenge....I would have to learn how to knit.....so I did....via you-tube......
I have been knitting dishcloths and it took the first 4 before I made one without an error....

Feeling slightly confident....I also took part in the dishcloth swap at Down to Earth......We have had an enormous response with the swap...and people are now starting to send their dishcloths on to their swap partners.....I have just finished my 7th one and passed it on to my swap partner....
I received my swap in the mail yesterday....and......

I am truly humbled by my swap partners generosity....and how lovely and neat her crocheting is....I received 3 gorgeous delicately soft dishcloths and a doily as well.......Words cannot express nearly enough ....Thank-you so much Becci...I shall treasure them dearly....and show them off of-course....to everyone....I hope you like the dishcloth I sent you with a cake of my home-made soap...it is a lovely facial soap.....and the dishcloth I gave you is the first one I have added stripes into....


I also want to thank all those involved in organising this great swap...it was my first ever swap...


Thank-you so much Becci


UPDATE INCLUDED 07 April 2011......


Even though I had to learn how to knit to join the dishcloth challenge..and then the swap...I too had concerns of my own quality of my knitting.....


I Pm'd a few ladies from the forum...and without naming anyone except for myself...this is what I wrote....and the replies I received back.....


I wrote: I think its a great idea, but I don't know how people will feel if they get a plain knitted one....some are just so beautiful. how will that work if someone sends off a really pretty one, and gets a plain one say like the ones I knit....and possibly other new knitters.


Ist reply: I would be more than happy to receive a garter stitch dish cloth in the swap. To me its more about being part of the swap and encouraging others no matter what ability level they have. Have a look at the pin cushion swap or the christmas decoration one, we all have our own skills and experience 


2nd reply: I agree with X. Part of the beauty of this forum is that despite our differing levels of skill we are all supportive and appreciative of each other. I am not a beginner knitter but would certainly not class myself as experienced. The only dishcloth pattern I have attempted is the waffle weave one! It is all about the sharing.


3rd reply: I agree with X and Y. It's not the article, it's connecting with others and support that's important. If you feel it's not enough though, you could include a cake of your soap or two dishcloths. It's not necessary but it might convince you to join in.


4th reply: The philosophy that Z has encouraged and embraced for all the swaps I have done for her is "give it a try-make a friend, learn a new skill or practice an old skill, and have fun while doing it." I have found over the years that it really doesn't matter how good you are at something or how much of a beginner you are; the main thing is to give it a go and make a friend. It has never ever been a problem for newbies to swap with the more experienced girls-we don't do it to get some fancy thing, but to encourage a community, a village you might say.


I replied back and said: Well in that case, of course I would be in on something like that.....I was just worried that mine may not be good enough....but looking at the real reasons for the swap doesn't even relate to the quality of the swap...after having a afternoon sleep, I see it alot clearer.......I have never been involved in a swap ...yes I am enjoying doing the dishcloths now...
Thanks for pointing out all the loveliness of everyone involved.....it sure feels good to be a part of it

..........and that is why I joined the dishcloth swap!

Happy Mothers Day

I recently wrote about visiting April who runs permaculturevisions . 

I spent most of the day there....While discussing fruit trees April recommended Daleys online for fruit trees...she used to  buy through Diggers, but now finds Daleys more reliable. 

I had a look through their website as was very impressed; flipping back and fro from Daleys to Diggers.....I found most of the trees I was interested in were out of stock, or almost ready for sale at Diggers....so I ordered my trees through Daleys.....

Here is how the trees arrived by courier...

just after opening the box

looking inside

Care instructions

 I have some major plans for the yard after seeing other peoples gardens recently....I have always envied others who have fruits in their gardens....and have recently discovered Miniature Fruit Trees...and any tree can be held back if grown in a pot....a large pot I suppose, but a pot none the less.

I ordered the following which arrived 3 days later.....

• a Miniature Seedless Valencia Orange
• a Miniature Macadamia nut tree
• a Miniature Mulberry, red shahtoot...this grows lovely long berries about 10 cm long...
• a Finger Lime which is described as growing  between 3 to 7 meters high...Eeeeeek...I have been told that if I put this in a pot and keep it pruned, I should be fine.

L to R: Valencia, Macadamia, Mulberry, FingerLime

Watering instructions

Enclosed in my support frame I made up....
I got the frame from the tip and have used it for many plants and even seedlings

This is my mothers day gift to myself......so Happy Mothers Day to me........I am travelling to Victoria on mothers day this Sunday.....so I will wish all the mums and mums to be a Happy Mother's day.

I am very impressed with Daleys Fruit Trees....I will certainly buy from them again in the future.

Rehydrating sliced bread

If your anything like me, I sometimes don't get to use the whole loaf of bread before it begins to go stale or dry out...Stale bread is really just dehydrated....when our skin is dehydrated we add cream to replace lost moisture.....Same can be done with stale bread....If the bread is a few days old, and you want to freshen it up....all you need to do is re-hydrate it..........with a simple spray of water.....using a light mist.

I keep a spray bottle of water in the kitchen for many reasons...but one is to re-hydrate bread that has began to go stale ......Once you have made the sandwich, if it feels a little dry....just give it one pump of the spray bottle on both sides of the sandwich...using a light mist, you don't want to drown the bread..lol

It's quite a simple idea really,

but when I seen it done years ago,

it was one of those Ahh Hahhh moments....

so simple I should have thought of it myself.

I also use it to spray pre-cooked meat pies

before they go in the oven, 

this stops the crust from drying out while heating the pie. 

The best antique store ever

Recently Rhonda from Down to Earth wrote about her travels and visiting a huge Antique Store in Berrima; with her sister. They had found a lovely antique store called Peppergreen Antiques.
Upon seeing the lovely photos of the displays...I just had to find more information....
It turns out the store is only 1 hour from where I live....and only 25 minutes from my cousin in Bundanoon...Perfect...I had already made plans to get my Fowlers Bottling outfit back off my cousin Maree...and this was a perfect excuse for me to go get it...I would be able to spend the day with Maree and her family....pick up my bottling outfit, AND visit that Antique Store.

When I walked into the store, it literally took my breath away...you see; I have a passion for all things old....and although I don't have a huge collection, I do have a working collection about my home...some either directly from my Nan or my mother....and some from stores, reminding me of my Nan's things....

I spend a whole lot of time hunting through Op-shops for the things I want, and to see sometimes hundreds of the one item....sure is a moment to take in....and it's like this all throughout the store. I must have been speechless for at least the first room, as I studied each area with a close eye. I didn't want to miss anything.

I couldn't decide which photos to share with you all, so here they are........

Lots of medical related items in this cabinet 

My mother has a baby bottle like these ones on the top shelf....
these ones are half the size though.

Everything was on equally antique displays including this old sulky carriage...

haberdashery

Dining room table items and some cooking utensils

Baking items, I love the range of old bread tins.

Buttons and loose cutlery

Quilts and linen

Hat pins and Chenille bedspreads in the background 

Hand quilted bedspreads

Knitting needles all displayed in vintage steel buckets
and knitting pattern books below them

Tea-cups, jugs, crystal and more

Inside the toy cabinet, a meccano set...
same as the one we had when we were children

More Meccano

Stoneware and Enamel kitchen items

If your ever in the Berrima/Mittagong area, I urge you to go visit this lovely store....I had no idea that it was there, and if Rhonda hadn't written about it, I may never have known...

Most of the prices are far too expensive for my budget, but when you come across something you have been looking for for many years....even on the internet.....
I found a Cheese Trier in amongst the apple corers..and asked the lady if it was in the right spot, if not, where are the collection of them to look through......The staff ladies told me that that is the only one ever to come through the store, and it had been there for a few weeks now......Yes they do lay-buy...I asked specifically for this lay-buy because of the Cheese Trier.
I weighed up the reasons I needed that Cheese Trier and how rare they were, and how far away the store was to make payments......and I decided it would be beneficial to buy it there and then.....
I understand that this is a huge outlay for my budget, but sometimes you just have to think things through and go for it.....
I went for it! I would have kicked myself that night; had I left it behind in the store....and would have to make another trip....

Here is my new Cheese Tryer tool....I wonder what kinds of cheeses were tried, where the cheese was made, and if it was a local cheese maker.

I have to finish this post by telling you how lovely the staff are who work there....I had a lovely chat with them when I asked permission to take photos in and around the store....They appreciated my asking permission.....and I also mentioned Rhonda's visit, which they remembered easily....

What a lovely store, if you live near the area, it's certainly worth the visit, and for the ones who live interstate and overseas, I sure hope you get to visit a similar store somewhere close to where you live.

Repotting new trees

On 01 May it was National Permaculture Day...this is a day where selected people who practice Permaculture on their own land; invite the public to visit their property...and share their ideas.

I first heard of this great day through Donna at Casa Famiglia.....It was a great week, as I met Donna at her lovely home on the Tuesday.....and then I had the pleasure of visiting April who runs permaculturevisions . 

I spent most of the day there....and was naturally the first of the public to arrive....so I was blessed with 

April showing me around her garden one to one, teaching as we went.  

Here is my water pond, it's early days yet,
This is the pond I am growing Chinese Water Chestnuts,
 my new friend Sonia gave me some from her water pond.

From April; I have been given some Fernia Azola (not sure of the spelling), it is the small floating plant that will continue to grow until the whole pond is covered...this keeps mosquito's at bay. Also some peppermint. 

April also suggested adding some lemongrass to my pond..... Mind you my pond is a laundry sink from the tip for $5.00.....I just cut a round tin plug and sealed it on the plug hole with silicone.  

L to R: Elderflower, Ice-cream bean plant, Fig, Locut.

I am aware that none of these plants are actually suited to a small garden like mine, but I am planning on planting them into pots to reduce their growth and I am also planning on keeping them well pruned.
It may go horribly wrong, it may work, who knows....but its worth a try to have such lovely fruit trees added to my list.
April had some plants for sale that she had grafted herself.....I bought a pot with two fruit trees in it for $15...A bargain for an Ice-Cream Bean plant and a Fig....I transplanted them into their own bigger pots today.
Another idea, I noticed in April's garden was the lovely ceramic tiles located at each plant...all different shapes, colours and sizes....but clearly labelling each plant....what a brilliant idea....
I found a tub of small green ceramic tiles at the tip the other day....and new instantly what I could use them for....Thanks for the idea April.

Here is a finger lime from April's garden,
we all had fun tasting one half and used the other half in a tossed salad.

Like myself, April also uses bird cage tops to  protect young plants.
this lettuce has self seeded...and I don't want Cindy dog to piddle on it....so I  have covered it for now , when it is more established, I will transplant it to the garden...
There are actually quite a few seedlings scattered around the garden pebbles.

Also planted today some Garlic, and Jerusalem Artichokes and two Taro pots.
Underneath I have two larger pots with Tumeric planted today 

I was also given some Jerusalem Artichokes to plant....which I also did today. 

I have seen other people's gardens in the last few weeks, and it has certainly opened my eyes to more and more possibilities.....I may have overdone it though, and not quite thought it all through...but I have huge plans now for my little plot of land I call home...I am working on a great variety of fruit trees...I just hope I can organise it all....I'm sure it will be worth it.