A Sweet Treat

The garden is gradually coming back to life. The snowdrops have opened more of their snow-white flowers but there are many more to follow. Tipping up the dainty blooms allows me to see the delicate green markings on the inner petals. So pretty! I’m surprised every year when I discover one tiny clump of double ones. I forget that I have them and it’s only when I tip up the flowers that I realise they’re there.

I might buy more double ones if I see them for sale. You can’t have too many snowdrops. So welcome in Winter when the garden lies dark and drab.

The hellebores are awakening. Their lovely petals come in beautiful colours with splashes of red, pink or green on the inside. Some have double petals and lovely stamens.

Such lovely flowers and so hardy. These are the oriental hellebores. I recommend them if you want colour in the colder months.

Even the Yucca has sent up a flower spike. It might not withstand another blast of hard frost but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. It will have beautiful creamy-white bell flowers if it succeeds.

I bought a dozen primulas from our wonderful local nursery and edged a path with them. Nothing to show yet but I’m hoping they will be glorious in two or three weeks.

Round about November I sowed seeds of broad beans in the greenhouse. Sadly, the weather changed drastically and the compost became too cold and wet. The seeds came up but the tiny plants rotted, unfortunately. So, I’m trying again. I’ve sowed seeds straight into the bed in the polytunnel. They should be protected there and with a bit of luck will do better. Then I will plant them outside later.

Lots of birds visiting the garden. Lovely long-tailed tits have been flitting about in the trees and visiting the feeders.

Of course, these smaller birds do attract predators. There was a beautiful sparrowhawk in the pear tree behind the house the other day. Looked sleek and well fed! A privilege to see it close up though. Couldn’t manage to take a photo. They’re nervous and the slightest movement from me scared it off.

Mice have got into the tool shed where the apples are stored. They’ve munched their way through some and made a right old mess. Time to use what’s left. I had a few in the house too and a new recipe was forming in my head, so tried it out. Very pleased with the result, so I’ll share it with you.

Apple and Pecan Flan.

You will need a flan dish, approximately 8"/22.5cm in diameter.
1 cup Plain Flour
third cup of Sunflower Oil
quarter cup of cold water

Put all these in a food processor and whiz to combine. 
Grease the flan dish with the residue oil in the cup measure.
Remove the pastry ball and press evenly into the flan dish, ensuring it's fully covered and a little up the sides.
Pop into the fridge while you prepare the rest.

2-3 Cooking Apples
50g Pecan Nuts, broken into pieces
1 Egg
50g Caster Sugar
50g Self-raising Flour
1 level teaspoon Baking Powder
50g Sunflower Oil

Add salt to a bowl of cold water ( about 1 tablespoon to 500ml).
Peel and core the apples. Cut into small pieces and put them into the salted water, as you work, to prevent browning.
Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan oven.
Mix the egg, sugar, flour, baking powder and oil in the food processor, to make a cake batter. 
Rinse and drain the apples. Place evenly in the bottom of the pastry case.
Carefully spoon the cake mixture over the apples.
Sprinkle the nuts evenly over the top.
Bake for 25 - 30 minutes.
Test the centre with a skewer. If it's clean, it's cooked through.
Delicious as it is or served warm with ice-cream.

The kitchen has been described as the “heart of the home”. I certainly agree with that. Baking is one of my favourite activities . The creative process, the aroma, the visual appeal and the sensual enjoyment of eating the end product are all part of the pleasure. I even love the cooking tools I use.

Whatever you’re doing, I hope it’s enjoyable. With you again next week with more photos and a bit of chat.