ONE MAN`S JUNK ANOTHER MAN`S TREASURE ....

Dale was at a family function on Sunday that I was unable to attend , where he noticed a box of old cook books  he enquired about their fate and  on being told they were to be discarded  asked if he could give them to me .
Thank you Dale ....
The ingredients and produce haven`t changed just the plating up and presentation on the plate .

An added bonus is these books are filled with neatly folded printed recipes torn from magazine publications long ago ...

 

 

 

ONE POT MEAL....STOCKMAN`S CHICKEN SOUP

The ingredients are 2 litres of boiling water , 2 packets of dried chicken noodle soup , 2 bunches of small Dutch carrots  left whole , 1 bunch of spring onions sliced finely( green stalks only ) and 2 handfuls of fresh spinach leaves along with 1 tbs of crushed garlic .
Place these all in your slow cooker .
Cover with a lid and bring to a simmer .

 

 

Place 1 kg of chicken mince in a large bowl place along with 2 tbs of cornflour , 1/2 bunch of spring onions finely sliced ( green stalks only ) , 1 tbs of minced garlic .

Mix thoroughly with your hands .

 

When the stock begins to simmer roll the mince mixture into golf ball sized shape and place in the slow cooker .

 

 

 

Just let them simmer away filling your kitchen with warming aromas  till you are ready serve .

 

 

CHICKEN SOUP .

 Chicken soup is the best soup , I love the flavours and the variations of chicken soup recipes ....they are all good .  Chicken soup and winter go hand in hand .
This one  works  for me .....because it is simple and filling .

The ingredients speak for themselves , bunch of spring onions chopped finely , green stalks only .

1 packet of chicken noodle soup

1 litre of chicken stock

Place these ingredients in a saucepan and slowly  bring to a simmer .

Then I  add the meat from a small cooked chicken and add to the soup.

Continue to simmer to heat through .

Served with a crusty ciabatta ...A complete meal in a bowl .

 

 

PAUL MERSEY

Paul Mersey is my 3rd son and I want to thank  him ....
Nicole had hit a bad patch at work  and was struggling ....as a mother it was terrible ...I couldn't fix it ...It was a horrific week for Nicole and as a parent there is only so much cooking , cleaning and washing you can do .....
I rang Paul and without hesitation he arrived at Nicole`s door ...instructing her to shower , demanding a café bought coffee and brunch , Paul had organised Dale to meet them in Traralgon at the 3 little birds café .
I felt helpless  ...so I took Ziggy the bulldog for a  walk through the Moe rail trail ....with the paws for walk group.
That was Sunday and Nicole was really hurting but come Tuesday she had submitted her first assignment for her  2nd Masters ...and no more mention of quitting her life `s ambitions .....
Paul you were there when you were so needed ....and made a difference ....
Thank you
Mum xxx
 

CASTLE GARDEN IS ON THE MARKET

 Castle Garden is on the market ........I know this was never going to happen .....but things change , the memories remain , gatherings , laughter and dancing , the arrival of grandchildren , partners and friends , the departure of my brother Michael , my son Paul`s partner Shane and the grumpy caretaker of Castle Garden Ken......
The blood , sweat and tears that have gone into the garden ....It`s all part of the lifestyle that Castle Garden offers .
I will miss my kitchen ....but there will be another .
Castle Garden is a warm , colourful home that deserves a full time family .......
I will decide who will be the new owner as did the original owner Michael when he chose me to take over the ownership of his castle .

MOTHER`S DAY CAKE

Here`s a really great gift for mum ...make her a cake ..a delicious fruit cake .
This is so simple .....
Place in a large bowl
1 kg  of mixed dried fruit ,( I used a mix of candied peel , sultanas and raisins )
Pour in 3 cups of fruit juice  ( I used an orange and mango juice )
Let this sit overnight till the juice is absorbed into the fruit .
Next day preheat your oven to 120 deg C... no mistake 120 deg C
Then add 3 cups of self raising  flour to the fruit and juice mix .....mix well with a wooden spoon.

Now spoon the batter in a 22 cm baking pan , that has been prepared with spray and lined with baking paper .

Bake for 2 and 1/2 hours on the bottom shelf of your oven .
Remove and allow to cool then place on a wire cooling rack .

Place in an airtight container will keep for 3 weeks but why keep it when it can shared .
HAPPY MOTHER`S DAY .
 

INTRODUCING FERGIE

Fergie is my  rag doll cat , a gift from my daughter Nicole .

Fergie was a rescue cat and now she has a permanent home .

Welcome Home Fergie .