Sunday, 25 October 2020

Sweet Potato Tortilla Pie

I am a bit frustrated today. I haven't been blogging much, but today I thought i'd sit down and blog and have noted  problem with my blog. And i wonder if anyone else with blogger is having trouble?!

In the Post section where blog posts and draft posts are recorded. My thumb nail image is incorrect, it is inserted with someone else and some of my blog posts - draft and those posted have been inserted with images that are not mine.  However, outward - it all appears un-affected. Is anyone else with blogger encountered this problem? Please let me know. I have left feedback with blogger, but don't know if they will respond; and if so how long. 

I will leave you with this Sweet Potato Tortilla Pie.

Didi Emmons writes if 'Mexicans had invented quiche, this is the way they might have made it'.  The crust of the pie is made from tortilla filled with eggy mixture enhanced with cumin, coriander, and cheese and roasted sweet potatoes.  

It was extremely light to eat, that I will be making it again

The recipe is adapted from the Vegetarian Planet: 350 Big Flavour Recipes for Out of this World Food Every Day by Didi Emmons.  

Sunday, 11 October 2020

Last of the Tomatoes in My Kitchen

I 've just managed to join in with In My Kitchen series hosted by Sherry's Pickings as much of what is in my kitchen has been coming from the garden (or kitchen cupboards) since the Pandemic.  So its not overly exciting
The last of the colourful and flavourful tomatoes from the greenhouse in the kitchen. 
The cooking apples from the tree, have been hit and miss with many damaged or bruised when they hit the ground. But those that we have managed to rescue and bake with have been lovely to eat. 
I made this Apple Almond Cake, it was very reminisce of Bakewell Tart. 
Apple Almond Flakes Cake
Serves 8
Ingredients
4 cooking apples, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon caster sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Method
In a bowl mix together the sugar and cinnamon, then toss in the apples to coat. Set aside
Preheat oven to gas mark 3/170oc.
For the batter
150g unsalted butter, softened
125g caster sugar
2 eggs
150g self raising flour
60g flaked almonds
Method
Put butter and sugar in a bowl and beat with a hand held electric mixer, until light and fluffy. Break in egg and beat well, then the other other egg. Then slowly sift in flour whisking every now and then, until well folded.
Scrape the batter into a 8 inch tin and smooth the surface, then arrange the apples on top.
Then evenly scatter over the flaked almonds.
Place in oven and bake for 45 - 50 minutes, or until skewer comes out clean.
Serve with cream or custard.   
I say, much of what we have in the kitchen is mostly from the garden and kitchen cupboards, and that is the truth. But i must give a shout out to my neighbour with the Jack Russell (not the sausage dog) who has got into growing vegetables this year, has been really generous.  Sharing some fruit, vegetables and even some home made bites.  He knocked on the door and shared this wonderfully presented Runner Bean Hummus.  It wasn't as nice as the one he gave us some Chickpea Hummus back in August which was delicious. I found the  Runner Bean one a bit bitter.  I was still very appreciative of his kindness (and trying to maintain social distancing throughout).
The summer raspberries have been replaced with Autumn raspberries in the garden. I often manage to pick enough to share between the two of us with Greek yogurt and honey. 
I also made this chocolate and raspberry muffin, as a change from our weekly flapbjacks.  Please don't ask me for the recipe, i found it on the web and cannot remember where, but it was not one i would make again as it was not that good, maybe that is why i cannot remember.  
I blended together some spices to make Baharat spice for a recipe that required it. 
Whilst fumbling in one of the kitchen cupboards, i found a stash of Pip's Real Hot Chocolate Coins to add to milk. The Black Forest and Turkish Ruby is exceptional by the way.  I had picked these up the last time i went to Pontypool Market (dare I say last year). I recall speaking with the owner, who was relocating at the time. These are a treat by the way
Finally, something else from my neighbour.  Its a bit like Quince cheese, but its made with Apples. We've only used a quarter of it, it's so flavourful and sweet!

Also I was a bit late joining in with Harvest Monday a couple of weeks back, so I am also sharing this blog post witDave from Happy Acres as it features a lot of my homegrown fruit and vegetables. 

Thursday, 1 October 2020

Little Late for Harvest Monday

It's October and the colours in the garden are changing and the sunflower petals waning. 
I feel the same with my energy. 
The greenhouse is still producing tomatoes
Even though we have harvest many tomatoes, they have not been as abundant as in previous years.  D has said he will not grow many of these red beefy ones - whose name i have forgotten.
He also won't grow many of the red Zebra and green Zebra Tomatoes, maybe a couple of the pale yellow ones called Lotos.  But he will definitely be growing the yellow Galina Cherry tomatoes and Chocolate Cherry tomatoes.
Some cooking apples had fallen to the ground, I made this Upside Down Apple Cake.  The apples stuck to the bottom of the pan. 
The Upside Down Apple Cake tasted good though and would have benefitted from a squirt of  or dollop of cream.

Below is generous bunch of Parsley and a black Mexican chilli pepper given to us by our neighbour.  Again, I am sorry I cannot remember the name, but my neighbour told me its not one we would ever find at the supermarket. He's right, i have never seen anything like it for real before.   I have roasted it and hope to either add it to a Chilli Bean recipe or a Tomato Pasta recipe. 
I am sharing this blog post with Harvest Monday hosted by Dave from Happy Acres.