Sharing Lockdown – Day 3

I know I”m writing my blog a day behind and its not ideal but allows time to collect photographs and collate my recipes.

Also – OMG our days are brutally tough. This is our very long driveway from the Luggate Tarras Rd to our house over looking the Clutha River. We have a garden plan and it involves moving tussocks . So… we thought planting them down the driveway with Purple Alliums popping through would be a good look . There are 60 Waratahs on each side of the drive, about 3 metres apart- 180 m. Each section between the waratahs involves grubbing off the weeds ( which I have sprayed ) hoe and dig holes for the tussocks which we have previously dug up, soaked in water and split. Each section takes about 20 tussock plants so… we have to divide what we have into 2,400 baby tussocks . We started off doing 4 sections each side of the drive yesterday. But realised last night that we may not die of Covid 19 but we would of exhaustion. So the plan is 2 sections each day and still means 26 days to go. !!!

I really want to have a working bee.

Breakfast and lunch are normal simple routine days. Muesli, stewed fruit, yoghurt and today toasted left over orange and date scones for lunch. Central Otago is at its best. Those crisp cool mornings, clear blue skies, lovely hot midday temperatures and quiet evenings with bright skies of orange as the sun goes down.

Sitting with a Gin and Beer at the end of the day was relaxing and essential. A chance to enjoy the last of the afternoons sun. I had a soft avocado so mashed it up with a fork. Seasoned with lemon juice salt and pepper and served with a few crackers.

Dinner was:

Silver Fern Farms Flat Iron steaks

Avocado and Tomato Salad – Slice an avocado and 3 tomatoes. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and the juice of a lemon, Season with Sea Salt and ground pepper and a few basil leaves if you have them.

Roasted Beetroot salad

4-5 beetroot, peeled and diced into wedges

Olive oil

6 slices of bacon

1 cup walnuts

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• Coat beetroot with a little olive oil and bake in a baking dish at 200 C for 45 minutes. Remove and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
• Remove the rind from the bacon and cut into 3 . Bake the bacon and a walnuts in the oven until starting to become crisp
• Cool slightly. Just before serving pile a few slices of frilly lettuce or rocket which has been tossed

Sit beef at room temperature for 30 minutes. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Heat a small frying pan and panfry for 4-5 minutes each side. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

The dark red dahlias I brought from Dunedin are still looking good and I love them in my Christine Bsowijk stunning lime green vase. My father loved dahlias and we used to tease him about how garish they were. But, Dahlias have come into their own and I encourage you to find a colour you like and have a stunning cutting garden next year.

There are many funny videos coming through on line and i’m impressed how clever people are. The ‘Sound of Music’ is a classic – maybe I am showing my age.

But, also encouraging is the many people now cooking when they are unfamiliar and uncomfortable in the kitchen.

I must share with you my Dunedin Fonebook partner Michelle’s Jamie Oliver Potato based Pizza photo and recipe . Honestly, if she can make this pizza look this good anyone can. Although I haven’t received the recipients tasting comments . Go Michelle!!

Base –  
Peel & slice potatoes, mix with Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper & small amount of oil.

From the inside out – line quiche dish with sliced potatoes (making sure there are no gaps) and bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees C.

Filling –  

4 eggs
Onion
1/3 C self raising flour (I used whole meal)
Salt & pepper
1 & 1/2 C milk (I used lactose free)
Mushrooms, tomatoes, ham,
Mixed herbs (Jimmy usually hates these but I added them Anyway & he didn’t notice ) 

Mix all of the above and cover potato base 

Bake at 180 degrees for 40 minutes 

Take care everyone as we start a working week and for many of you sitting for long solitary hours on computers . Take a break.

XXX Judith

Our house is in there !!!