The most exciting prospect for me as a home gardening walnut grower is the multitude of uses I can put the bounty of this tree to. The fresh young leaves can be used to make wine, as they do in the south of France. Then come the green walnuts that can be made into a liqueur or pickled in spiced vinegar. Right through the season, the leaves can be used to wrap fish for cooking on the barbecue. Autumn is the time to be on the lookout for fresh nuts and when you have the luxury to collect these from your own tree you can do so each day as they naturally ripen and fall, a practice that could never be feasible on a commercial scale- MB. Read the rest...
On Saturday evening, Colin and I went and saw Highly Strung, the new documentary directed by Scott Hicks. This film was the amazing story of the Australian String Quartet and the instruments that Ulrike Klein purchased; two violins, a viola and a cello, all made by an Italian instrument maker in the 18th century; each worth several million dollars. It was really powerful and emotional as a documentary, and a must see for any music lover. Read the rest...
In the Barossa we pick our quinces in April but even in the coolest parts of Australia, May would be the latest time for harvesting. You will know when to pick your quinces when their colour changes from a downy green to a sunshine yellow- MB. Read the rest...
Good produce needs so little doing to it, which means you’re never at risk of overcomplicating things. Seasonal produce also allows you to get to know the rhythm of the seasons, how to delight in fruit and vegetables picked at their best, truly ripened and full of flavour. Working with nature always tastes better than working against it- MB. Read the rest...
For any keen homecook scouting out tonight’s dinner options online, an iPad has become a virtual essential for recipe browsing and space efficient reading in the kitchen. And where there’s an iPad amongst the ingredients and wooden spoons on your kitchen bench, it makes sense to have an iPad stand to further aid easy reference of your favourite recipe. Especially when said iPad stand is in the shape of a chopping board!- MB. Read the rest...
