Rosellas

I've just made some rosella jam. It would have to be my favourite jam as it's a nice mix of sweet and tart and it is also a lovely colour. I always grow rosellas and I suppose it's made easier by the fact that they grow very easily from seed - usually self sown. The first plant I planted was from some seeds that my Aunty Anne gave me (actually I think she gave them to Mum and I got some) and I haven't had to plant again. That would have to have been about 4 years ago when I first started my garden here.

Rosellas are an unusual plant - a type of hibiscus, and although not native to Australia, we have made them our own. The fruit is also supposed to aid in hypertension, so with jam that is delicious and the chance to reduce blood pressure, why wouldn't you grow them?  There isn't much better than rosella jam and cream on scones, bread or even toast - YUM! I've put my recipe on the recipe tab. The hardest thing about making this jam is the time it takes to peel the petals off the seed - although it's made easier if done while enjoying a glass of wine at the end of a day!!

Living the Dream

We had friends over last night for dinner. Well, they came for the afternoon as we were going to make cheese together. Normally we spend an afternoon gardening at either her place or mine and then we have dinner together. This is usually done during the footy season on a Sunday so that the men can sit and watch footy while we work up a sweat weeding or digging or something.

Yesterday I thought it might be fun to cook as we both enjoy cooking (and of course the associated eating). We made some Halumi and Ricotta. While this was happening we made some Duck Liver Pate to go with some fresh toasted bread. I had made some Quark earlier and so we tried that with my recently made Fermented Shredded Beetroot. My friend made the comment that I'm living the dream and in a way I suppose I am - although it would be better if I didn't work fulltime! It is great to have our own cows - for meat, milk, cream, cheese and butter. And my garden is starting to come along really well too. We had the above mentioned things for our antipasti course and then for mains we made a Prawn, rocket, roast pumpkin and cashew salad. (I didn't grow the prawns or the cashews!) Then for desert I had done some little baked custards with warm caramel served over the top - I can't think of the name of it, but it's a bit of a twist on a creme caramel and was quite nice. Anything with egg, cream, milk and vanilla beans has to be good doesn't it?

So yes, I am living the dream - well mine anyway. I love the fact that we are able to provide so much of our own food and then to be able to share it with friends and family is pretty special.