https://gardenandgossip.org/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:24:56 +0000 MyBB https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2423 Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:18:02 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2423 How many are partaking of the 'Haggis, neeps & tatties'

I've got mine ready to cook up, but I did struggle with only a skemmy small swede in the shop as everyone must have had the same idea?

Looking forward to it later! ]]> How many are partaking of the 'Haggis, neeps & tatties'

I've got mine ready to cook up, but I did struggle with only a skemmy small swede in the shop as everyone must have had the same idea?

Looking forward to it later! ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2404 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:04:21 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2404
Here's 2025 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2260]]>
Here's 2025 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2260]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2384 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:41:10 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2384 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2382 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:27:15 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2382
What flavoured butter do you make? And what do you use it for?]]>
What flavoured butter do you make? And what do you use it for?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2356 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:48:23 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2356
  kaleseaweed.jpg (Size: 218.34 KB / Downloads: 10)
We all know that Chinese crispy "seaweed" is actually cabbage or kale. Its also quite expensive to buy but, really cheap and easy to make. 
I asked the Duck for recipes and followed this one. roughly. https://www.justaveragejen.com/crispy-seaweed.html
Couldn't find the sesame seeds in the cupboard so missed that out. 
Used Taunton Deane perennial kale as the leaves are huge and quite smooth. Took the stalk out, rolled up the leaves into a cigar shape and sliced them as finely as I cook with my big oriental chopping knife (as it seemed appropriate. 
I sprayed the shredded leaves with "Fry Light" and stirred them around. Them put them in a metal cooking tray in the halogen for about 10 minutes. Forgot to add the Chinese 5 Spice at the start so sprinkled it on afterwards.
Will definitely do it again  as I have lots of this kale to find a use for. Six cuttings in water at the moment.]]>
  kaleseaweed.jpg (Size: 218.34 KB / Downloads: 10)
We all know that Chinese crispy "seaweed" is actually cabbage or kale. Its also quite expensive to buy but, really cheap and easy to make. 
I asked the Duck for recipes and followed this one. roughly. https://www.justaveragejen.com/crispy-seaweed.html
Couldn't find the sesame seeds in the cupboard so missed that out. 
Used Taunton Deane perennial kale as the leaves are huge and quite smooth. Took the stalk out, rolled up the leaves into a cigar shape and sliced them as finely as I cook with my big oriental chopping knife (as it seemed appropriate. 
I sprayed the shredded leaves with "Fry Light" and stirred them around. Them put them in a metal cooking tray in the halogen for about 10 minutes. Forgot to add the Chinese 5 Spice at the start so sprinkled it on afterwards.
Will definitely do it again  as I have lots of this kale to find a use for. Six cuttings in water at the moment.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2354 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:25:51 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2354
For example, I've frozen my first container of raspberries today. They'll emerge next winter for my breakfast or be mixed with more soft fruit to make jam..]]>
For example, I've frozen my first container of raspberries today. They'll emerge next winter for my breakfast or be mixed with more soft fruit to make jam..]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2322 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:05:01 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2322  . 

I’m going very traditional with sugar and lemon. Bob will have added rabbit sh** (raisins   ) on his.

What you having on yours ?]]>  . 

I’m going very traditional with sugar and lemon. Bob will have added rabbit sh** (raisins   ) on his.

What you having on yours ?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2302 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 13:53:42 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2302
Care to join me with your unexpected items?
Recipe ideas welcomed.

Today, its Spelt grains that came in a Hodmedod's mystery parcel (best before 31/3/21). They've been simmering for 45 minutes, after an initial soak for an hour. Not sure what I'll do with them next. ]]>
Care to join me with your unexpected items?
Recipe ideas welcomed.

Today, its Spelt grains that came in a Hodmedod's mystery parcel (best before 31/3/21). They've been simmering for 45 minutes, after an initial soak for an hour. Not sure what I'll do with them next. ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2260 Sun, 29 Dec 2024 18:55:09 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2260 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2253 Wed, 25 Dec 2024 10:42:14 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2253 What tips can you give me to keep these fresh for as long as possible - without freezing - or digging a root cellar!]]> What tips can you give me to keep these fresh for as long as possible - without freezing - or digging a root cellar!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2249 Fri, 20 Dec 2024 07:26:34 +0000 JJB]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2249
As for traditions in baking, there's mince pies to my mum's recipe; orange pastry, with a dollop of cream cheese on top of the mincemeat, under the top crust. Homemade sausage rolls, cheese sablés and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without smoked salmon or gravadlax open sandwiches and asparagus rolls for tea. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get tinned green asparagus tips. They're very 60's and so out of fashion these days.

What if any traditions do you follow every Christmas.  All except Veggie who probably does a ritual rummage in the freezer. ]]>
As for traditions in baking, there's mince pies to my mum's recipe; orange pastry, with a dollop of cream cheese on top of the mincemeat, under the top crust. Homemade sausage rolls, cheese sablés and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without smoked salmon or gravadlax open sandwiches and asparagus rolls for tea. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get tinned green asparagus tips. They're very 60's and so out of fashion these days.

What if any traditions do you follow every Christmas.  All except Veggie who probably does a ritual rummage in the freezer. ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2245 Sun, 08 Dec 2024 15:20:36 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2245  

The farm is a couple of miles from where I live so iit is a pleasant walk there and back for me and Kato. The honesty box hasn't always got eggs  in it, but the majority of the time it has. We sometimes go on a longer walk and call at the farm on the way home to save carrying eggs for miles!
The eggs are always freshly laid that day and at £1.50 for half a dozn they are a bargaina as far as I am concerned.

All my jackets permanently hold three one pound coins and a 50p coin so that I can either get a dozen,or only half a dozen if that's all there is!

I used to keep chickens which were quite tying so this is a great alternative for locally produced free range eggs.

  BJAR3456.JPG (Size: 215.37 KB / Downloads: 16) ]]>  

The farm is a couple of miles from where I live so iit is a pleasant walk there and back for me and Kato. The honesty box hasn't always got eggs  in it, but the majority of the time it has. We sometimes go on a longer walk and call at the farm on the way home to save carrying eggs for miles!
The eggs are always freshly laid that day and at £1.50 for half a dozn they are a bargaina as far as I am concerned.

All my jackets permanently hold three one pound coins and a 50p coin so that I can either get a dozen,or only half a dozen if that's all there is!

I used to keep chickens which were quite tying so this is a great alternative for locally produced free range eggs.

  BJAR3456.JPG (Size: 215.37 KB / Downloads: 16) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2242 Fri, 22 Nov 2024 15:15:45 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2242

Avocado x 9
Celery heads x 2
Lemons x 9
Herbs - Mint, Dill, Parsley
Rainbow carrots
Small pots of Sage butter (for pasta) x 4
Wholemeal loaf.

PS I'm not a big fan of celery!]]>

Avocado x 9
Celery heads x 2
Lemons x 9
Herbs - Mint, Dill, Parsley
Rainbow carrots
Small pots of Sage butter (for pasta) x 4
Wholemeal loaf.

PS I'm not a big fan of celery!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2223 Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:44:33 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2223 I topped and tailed the apples, then chopped them into quarters, removing the core. Bunged the apple flesh into a pan of water with lemon juice and cooked them to a pulp. Some skin remains but its soft and not objectionable. I won't be peeling them in future.]]> I topped and tailed the apples, then chopped them into quarters, removing the core. Bunged the apple flesh into a pan of water with lemon juice and cooked them to a pulp. Some skin remains but its soft and not objectionable. I won't be peeling them in future.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2218 Tue, 03 Sep 2024 21:50:05 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2218

I confess to having a smaller one, sitting in the back of the cupboard. Think I've only used it twice.     So why have I acquired a second one, you may ask? I'm hoping that I could use it for slow cooking chutneys - the sort that simmer away on the hob for hours and need constant attention, stirring and to control the heat . 

So my question to the panel is, will it work, and are there any other uses for a slow cooker apart from meat, stews and pulses. I think I've read about making bread and yogurt in one ?
All ideas welcome.]]>

I confess to having a smaller one, sitting in the back of the cupboard. Think I've only used it twice.     So why have I acquired a second one, you may ask? I'm hoping that I could use it for slow cooking chutneys - the sort that simmer away on the hob for hours and need constant attention, stirring and to control the heat . 

So my question to the panel is, will it work, and are there any other uses for a slow cooker apart from meat, stews and pulses. I think I've read about making bread and yogurt in one ?
All ideas welcome.]]>