Category Archives: Baking

How (not) to make Sweet and Sourdough Raisin Rye bread.

Posted on December 21, 2011 by

This morning we woke up to freezing rain and sleet and some dripping pathetic excuse for snow on the ground.  When I say freezing rain I mean frozen raindrops. Not as mean as sleet, just sticky frozen.  It is dark … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Recipes | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

My Plum Duff has No Plums in it! What a duffer!

Posted on December 13, 2011 by

I am sure it comes as no surprise to you that my Plum Duff has no plums in it. Plum Duff is a steamed pudding.  King George called it Plum Duff , demanded it at Christmas in 17 something and … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Recipes | Tagged , | 86 Comments

Little Party Nibbles:Teensy Weensy Savoury Pies

Posted on December 9, 2011 by

You knew I was going to do this didn’t you. Because I am a pastry fiend. I love pies. Not so much the American sweet pie. Though some of those are nice in really tiny doses. Savoury pies.  Meat pies. … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , | 73 Comments

Little Party Nibbles: Mini Apple Sponge Cakes

Posted on December 5, 2011 by

My sister is having a few parties in NZ this month. And as I am 8,961 miles away  (14,421 km) I am not sure I can make it.  So I am going to join in by sending her a couple … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , | 74 Comments

Little Party nibbles: Mama’s Russian Fudge

Posted on December 2, 2011 by

Every Christmas our mother would make three different kinds of fudges. We would carefully wrap a selection in crackly difficult, transparent cellophane, then we gathered the corners together,  with a red ribbon, tied  in a bow.  We made  a number … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , | 113 Comments

What’s for dinner Mama? Fish?

Posted on November 17, 2011 by

Crostini, using home made rosemary bread, demanded something special,  so tonight we are starting with  ChgJohn’s  Baked Brie with Caramelised Onions. This was just divine. The guests just woofed this down. ChgJohn told me to make TWO! Third Son is … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Meals, Recipes | Tagged , , | 66 Comments

Mama’s Retro Pumpkin Pie: can you bear it?

Posted on November 1, 2011 by

My little sister Gabe, who is developing a  farm  in New Zealand, wrote to me yesterday, asking for our Mums Pumpkin Pie recipe. Coincidentally my little brother T asked for the recipe a couple of weeks ago as well.  And … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , , | 71 Comments

Dad’s easy tasty Bread Recipe

Posted on October 3, 2011 by

My father has been following the blog since its beginnings and is not altogether sure about the merits of my bread recipe. Yes, you can go back and have a  bit of a laugh at it if you like!! You … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Recipes | Tagged , , , | 65 Comments

lemon verbena honey with mama’s pikelets

Posted on September 12, 2011 by

Yesterday, much to the bemusement of the bees,  I swapped their last little honey super (box) for a bigger brood super to expand into for the winter. The theory is that if they come out of winter into spring with … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Bees, Photography, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , | 59 Comments

simple sourdough for pioneer girls

Posted on September 11, 2011 by

Esme stood alone but for her dog, watching the mountains. She and her new husband  had travelled for months in their covered wagon, across vast endless plains of shoulder high grass, fording rivers, their horses heaved them across dusty deserts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 67 Comments