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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

On my own today

Today was the first time in over two months that I have been truly on my own at home. I miss everyone of course but it was actually a real treat to be able to get in and get things done that I had been putting off. While ever someone else is home, it seems like we are in holiday mode. Anyway, today there was no sign of holiday mode. The Down to earth forums decluttering/ cleaning focus this week is the office/ other bedroom and as Tom has temporarily moved out of the other bedroom/ office then I am giving it a good old clean out. Not too much clutter to remove thankfully but I have been dusting and vacuuming, washing walls and windows and getting a good workout.
 
I spent a chunk of the morning in the garden revamping a strawberry bed. It suffered a bit in the heatwave so I have spruced it up by culling some plants and adding compost. The numerous snails I found in the bed couldn't have been helping it either and they are history now.
 
Farm work was slow today. Just feeding animals in the morning and afternoon which has given me a great opportunity to do some cooking.
 
 
Tomatoes aplenty. They are really producing now and it's tomatoes everyday.

 Enough to make sauce. We have been out of tomato sauce for a while and this one is deliciously sweet and tangy. I will post a recipe if anyone would like it. I'm sure it is better with the seeds removed ( a seive or food mill would do the trick) but I really don't mind them.

 Made zucchini slice for the freezer. There were four zucchini in the garden which were too far gone for anything but grating or stuffing so it was slice and cake to make the most of them. There was a fifth zucchini which Tim mistook for a pumpkin it was so big. That one is too big and bold for cooking.
 And the zucchini cake. This time the chocolate variety and enough for two loaf type cakes. I packaged up into slices for the freezer. Just defrost in the microwave or even toast it before serving.

For lunch box sweet snacks, I made a honey jumble slice. I'm a big fan of ginger in sweets and this is a nice soft slice much like honey jumble biscuits only even easier to make.

 
Honey Jumble Slice
Ingredients
125 grams butter
2tbs honey
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1.5 cups plain flour
2 tsp ground ginger
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
 
Icing
1 and 1/4 cups icing sugar
two drops pink food colouring
enough hot water to make a paste(approximately two tablespoons).
 
Method
Preheat oven to 180 deg C.
Grease and line a square 20cm baking tin.
Combine butter and honey in a small saucepan and place on a low to medium heat until the butter is melted. Bring to the boil and remove from heat. Stir in the bicarb and allow to cool slightly.
Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Add cooled honey mixture and egg to the flour mixture and ix until well combined.
Spread mixture into prepared tin and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool in the tin.
 
To make icing combine the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
Spread icing on cooled slice and allow to set. Cut into pieces and serve.
 
 
Tracy
 
 

6 comments:

Janice said...

It sounds like you've have a very productive day. I'll have to try your Honey Jumble Slice. My hairdresser makes home made honey jumbles, but as you say, the slice looks much easier.

Joolz said...

What a busy bee you have been. Honey Jumble slice has been printed off and filed for trying soon.

Fiona said...

It's amazing how much you can get done when you are on your own...
Hugz

Karen said...

It's good to have time to yourself and yes you do get more done. I have my very first zucchini growing so I will be trying the slice. Love Honey Jumbles so I will be trying out this slice too...thanks Tracy.

Lisa said...

You seem to get an awful lot done.

Tania said...

I am going to try that slice recipe, it looks delicious!

I see you have been very busy in your kitchen. I have too, making preserves...the joys of Summer :)

I would love to see your tomato sauce recipe Tracy. I made some the other day using Ezy sauce.

x