Preserving

Planting The weather still can’t decide what season we’re in, but I’ve decided not to wait around—I’ve dived straight into this year’s vegetable planting. I’m especially excited because I’ve added two new crops to my garden for the very first time. I’ll be taking you along on the journey as I learn to grow kidney beans for winter preserving and paprika chillies to make my own paprika powder. It’s a spice I use constantly in the kitchen, so growing my own feels good and makes

Throughout the year I slowly freeze any red chilli's I do not need immediately in preparation for making sweet chilli sauce. This is one of my kitchen staples and is a beautiful sweet spicy sauce better than any purchased product. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my long red chilli that has been growing in my hot house and producing a continuous supply all year round was starting to die. Unsuccessfully I tried to revive it but I think its time had come after six faithf

Some recipes are more than just food — they’re memories, connections, and little moments of love we can hold onto. This Tomato & Chilli...

Old-fashioned fruits like quinces are making a quiet comeback, and I couldn’t be happier about it. This year my quince tree was heavy...

I’m always on the lookout for easy, natural ways to boost my gut health — and apple peel powder has become one of my secret weapons....

There’s something special about preserving food you’ve picked with your own hands. This season, I gathered plump, ripe olives from my...

Not for the faint-hearted

For as long as I can remember my parents always grew rhubarb in their vegetable garden. It's such an old fashioned vegetable that is...

With so many quinces on hand, I couldn’t resist making a batch of this gorgeous, jewel-toned jelly. It’s a simple, old-style preserve that captures the delicate flavour and fragrance of the fruit perfectly.

Vacuum sealer in action Last Spring, I planted various pumpkins around my garden and had them close to the watering system so they had...

Preparing apples for winter warming desserts

My favourite way to preserve pears.

A visit to my dad's house in Mulwala!

The last of one apple tree, a chicken carcass, and one self-sacrifice.

The stars of my garden this season were the delightful 'Ajvarski' and 'Round of Hungary' varieties.

Create your own tomato paste that has real flavour and is always ready to enhance your cooking

My tomatoes are coming to an end, and I thought I'd make another batch of 'Dad's Favourite Sauce'.

These little guys are easy to grow and I love having them ready to use in my freezer

A beautiful spiced sauce to replace the other sauce with the hard to say name.

Beautiful sweetcorn ready to use all year round