Thursday 30 September 2010

Colour lovers: spice route




The colours of dry spices: turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, cardamom and garam masala. These spices are slightly bitter, sweet, peppery or earthy warm. Turmeric itself can be used to make fabric dye but fades quickly with exposure to sunlight. Check out the palette at colourlovers

Tuesday 21 September 2010

September








Dates, sunflowers and Spanish tapas.

Sunday 19 September 2010

Update from my garden: tomatoes







These are probably the last tomatoes for this year. We harvested even the green ones and made green tomato chutney with them. Thanks for the idea Denise!

GREEN TOMATO CHUTNEY

1kg green tomatoes
4-5 chillies
fresh root ginger
200g crisp apples
300g shallots
2 tsp salt
200g light brown sugar
1/2 pint malt vinegar

Chop tomatoes, shallots and apples roughly and ginger and chillies finely. Place all the ingredients in a deep pot and bring to the boil until the sugar has dissolved, and simmer for about another half and hour until desired consistency is reached. Pour into warmed sterilised jars, cover and label.

Saturday 18 September 2010

Colour lovers: Spanish tapas




This palette uses earthy tones like ochre, terracotta and burnt orange. According to legend the tapas tradition began when king Alfonso X of Castile recovered from an illness by drinking wine with small dishes between meals. After regaining his health, the king ordered that taverns would not be allowed to serve wine to customers unless it was accompanied by a small snack or "tapa" (tapar "to cover").
Common Spanish tapas include Tortilla Española, Patatas bravas and Chorizo al vino and lend their names to colours in this palette.
Check out the palette at colourlovers

Friday 17 September 2010

Update from my garden: chillies




Apache chili peppers are are relatively mild when still light green but once they've matured to glossy red can be very hot...

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Seaside






Québec, Canada.