Rural People & Issues

Criminally Good Spare Ribs

There's no question, food always tastes better when someone else cooks it for you.

Dealing to the enemy on the front lawn

Normally I’m quite fond of rabbits, and enjoy seeing them hopping about in that rabbit way of theirs.

Boston baked beans

I always know it's time to make a huge pot of Boston baked beans when the cat glues herself to the chair by the fire.

Cooking with cabbage

Vera Lynn got it all wrong. She sang that bluebirds would be flying over the white cliffs of Dover and in fact there’s not a one to be found - bluebirds live in America.

Mini pavs

Two in the morning is not my favourite time. But we’d just been woken by terrible sounds coming from the hen house and had to investigate.

A bird in the hand... is worth more than a rare snipe

We had a fine old time the other night.

Fast festive food

It gave me a glow of satisfaction to order my free-range, home cured ham extra early this year.

Old faithfuls need taking out some time

My old hand-written cooking book is falling apart, and the ink fading.

Tackling Tiramisu

Casually I had enquired what David – who was turning older in a few weeks - would like as a special birthday meal.

Fruit Cake Perfection

Mother-in-law knew the importance of putting on a good spread.

As Nature would have it...

Does anyone want a magnificent rooster?

Second Christmas

‘Tis time. Second Christmas is upon us.

Chutney to knock the socks off

Sharon said this can be made with just about any fruit but I don’t believe her.

Hot stuff

They are waiting for me outside. Every time I go into the garden I know they’re there, lurking.

Sometimes they eat you...

As the days start getting chill I think about all those blood sucking insects who won’t be dining on me.

Birthday cake blues

I didn’t think she would believe me. I truly didn’t.

Plan B for Christmas

Ah, Christmas. The sparkle, the glitter, the food.

The Stuff of Life

Good things take time, I recall Mariano telling me many years ago.

Fattening up father

Daddy has come home to live with me.

Minding the stove

Spring is a tricky time of year. There’s new life bursting out all over the place, lambs, calves and weeds. And it’s too windy.

A sticky date and no mistake

We’d made a date. Actually, it was more of a dinner engagement.

Winter Warm Up

It all starts innocently enough. A quick phone call from my former workmates at the local paper, asking a few innocent questions.

Facing the Feijoa glut fearlessly

It’s not often that one gets called a Mighty Goddess of the Kitchen but it’s just happened to me.

Plotting fowl murder or how to cook a rooster

It has begun. Early in the morning, the first hesitant oodle noise.

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Tamarillos

Tamarillos are subtropicals, tolerating only light frosts, and are also sensitive to high heat environments and drought conditions. They will not tolerate waterlogging or having wet feet either, and being large-leaved, smallish trees or shrubs with soft, semi-woody and fairly brittle stems, need protection from wind as well.

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl - Almonds

Did you know you can get dwarf almond trees? Did you know they're quite easy to grow? Did you know they're delicious?

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Rhubarb

Easy to grow and delicous to eat, but did you know rhubarb can also be used as a natural cleaner, soap ingredient and for pest control?

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Loquats

In terms of fruit and vegetable production, the late winter and early spring months can be deceptively sparse but loquats can fill the gap.

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Currants

Did you know that blackcurrants have some lesser-known relatives which are much milder on the palate and can even be eaten as a fresh dessert fruit? Enter the red and white currants…

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Apricots: Summer’s Gold

I’ll be spending most of my weekend in the kitchen, engulfed in a cloud of steam, with a sticky bench and even stickier complexion. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

Criminally Good Spare Ribs

Dealing to the enemy on the front lawn

Boston baked beans

Cooking with cabbage

Mini pavs

A bird in the hand... is worth more than a rare snipe

Fast festive food

Old faithfuls need taking out some time

Tackling Tiramisu

Fruit Cake Perfection

As Nature would have it...

Second Christmas

Chutney to knock the socks off

Hot stuff

Sometimes they eat you...

Birthday cake blues

Plan B for Christmas

The Stuff of Life

Fattening up father

Minding the stove

A sticky date and no mistake

Winter Warm Up

Facing the Feijoa glut fearlessly

Plotting fowl murder or how to cook a rooster

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Tamarillos

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl - Almonds

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Rhubarb

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Loquats

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Currants

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Apricots: Summer’s Gold

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