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

September

Dates, sunflowers and Spanish tapas.

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.

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

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...

Seaside

Québec, Canada.

Colour lovers: architectural

Cool colours like concrete and steel combined with warm wood and brick combined with neutral glass in this architectural colour palette.
Check out the palette at colourlovers

Update from my garden: tomatoes

This is a selection of tomatoes we planted this year: German Orange Strawberry, Green Zebra, Black Seaman, Garden Pearl, Yellow Perfection and Moneymaker. Love the colours!

Fruit tart

This is a basic recipe for a fruit tart and you can use any fruit that is in season. On this one I layered plums, cherries and peaches but it will be equally nice with apple or red currants for example. For a baking tray like this you have to double the quantities in the recipe.

FRUIT TART

100ml vegetable oil
125g sugar
2-3 eggs
200g flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 lemon (juice and zest)
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 175-195°C. Mix the oil and sugar, add the eggs, salt, lemon juice and zest. Mix the baking powder and the flour and sift, gently adding to the mixture. Pour on to a baking tray and add slices of fresh or canned fruit. Sprinkle with some sugar and almond flakes and bake for about 30 minutes.

Colour lovers: sea breeze

Sea and sand: ethereal mint and aqua in combination with tan and driftwood. Add a bright and bold shade of lime this is refreshing like a Caribbean breeze. Check out the palette at colourlovers

Chocolate truffles

This is a really easy recipe. Use the basic recipe and add flavours to your liking. I have made two batches, one with rum & nuts and the other half with lemon/orange. This recipe will make 50 truffles.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

300ml double cream
knob of unsalted butter
300g chocolate (70% cocoa)
pinch of salt

Flavour 1:
1-2 tablespoons Cointreau
grated lemon peel
grated tangerine peel
cocoa powder
Flavour 2:
1-2 tablespoons dark rum
pinch of cinnamon
handful of mixed nuts
dessicated coconut

Put the cream in a pan over a medium heat and add the butter and a pinch of salt when the cream is hot. Once the butter has melted pour this hot mixture over the broken up chocolate pieces whisking as you go so the chocolate melts nice and slowly.
Take half of the mixture and stir in the Cointreau, lemon and tangerine peel. Add the rum, cinnamon and nuts to the other part and stir well. Put both bowls in the fridge for about 2 hours to set. Then scoop out the set truffle mixture with teaspoons and dip in cocoa or the coconut flakes.

Update from my garden: raspberries