Good things and bad things that begin with a C
Caroline sends photos of our leghorn chicks regularly. They are always a joy as she is such a good photographer. And we are getting to know our chicks well, albeit at arms length. The best thing of all is that Caroline and Kevin hand rear their chicks. I’ve only cuddled chickens when they have been sick I’m really looking forward to being able to pick up the young chickens when they arrive. These are good things. Meanwhile we have been experiencing bad things beginning with a C. First of all our cucumber seedlings have succumbed to some...
read moreThe slow cooker chef: Low fat summery lamb shanks braised in red wine and tomatoes recipe
I tend not to buy lamb shanks as they usually look so weedy and unappetising. Last week I spotted a half price pack of two lamb shanks on the Tesco condemned food counter. These were quite chunky (just under a kilo) and the original price was pretty stout too. They had been reduced from £7.95 to £3.50. So naturally they ended up in my trolley. I decided to try just using ingredients that were knocking about in the fridge and larder and devised this dish that would easily feed eight. The combination of carrots, tomatoes and red wine worked...
read moreKitchen garden update: June 2009
“I’ve brought you some broad beans and some new potatoes.” My heart leapt as John Coe passed me the bags. We haven’t grown new potatoes this year – just concentrated on our main crop. “Just wipe the potatoes and the skins will fall off. Easy.” He placed a pack of plants wrapped in newspaper carefully beside his Wellingtons. “What are those?” “Purple sprouting broccoli.” He beamed. My mind whirled. The kitchen garden is choc a bloc. The baby purple sprouting broccoli plants usually are planted in July. I had been planning...
read moreA present of Pheasant’s Eye narcissus
We grow two types of daffodils in our garden. As these bulbs were bought in sacks from wayside stands, I’m not sure what they are called. A very pretty white and pale yellow one flowers first. Just as the heads are fading another strain appears of the all yellow, King Alfred type. Over the years they have gradually spread through the grass in front of the cottage. Wonderful pools of good sturdy bulbs. My favourites in the daffodil family are the narcissus. Small patches of these start to peep through when the ordinary daffodils are over....
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