potionstopesto.blogspot.com: December 2010

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry Wotsit

December is always so busy, juggling social events with extra work commitments. We rush to connect with everyone we have neglected the rest of the year to reassure them we are well and prosperous, hoping to hear the same in return.

I hate the rampant consumerism that takes hold of us at this time of the year that encourages us to spend way beyond our means. I try to make items through out the year to personalise my gifts and spread the financial load.

I am always happy to receive a card from a good friend each year that gifts seeds to a third world country. This year I sent a chicken as a gift via World Vision cards, to many people and sponsored a third world child as a wedding present. Watching the television tonight I came across a segment that urged us to give the gift of blood - extremely relevant given our holiday road deaths toll each year.I have a dear friend who lives alone and has fostered two very young kittens for the holiday period who would otherwise have spent the time in a cage.

There is always a need to be fulifilled. Regardless of the time of year or the religion we subscribe to, the greatest gift we can give is that of ourselves, in whatever way we can.

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday, I hope you can enjoy and appreciate the people who surround you, receive with grace and give thanks for the richness of life.

With love

Nirala

Happy cats!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Voices of the river

To live in harmony we must be able to communicate with each other. The announcement of a proposal for a coal mine in the Margaret River area has created a dust storm of emails, petitions and news reports and an avalanche of letters to the local member of parliament and the newspapers.

A group of local artists and their friends expressed their opinion in a different way. It can't be ignored, become yesterday's news or marked as junk mail and deleted. It is neither imflammmatory, loud or agressive - it is quietly inspirational.

What a lovely way to make yourselves heard.

Baked Olives

Pickled Red Cabbage

2kg red cabbage (prize winner if possible!)
3 Tbsp salt
2 litres spiced vinegar, purchased or homemade.

Shred cabbage finely, layer one third cabbage in a ceramic bowl, sprinkle over one third salt and repeat twice.
Put a layer of plastic wrap over the cabbage and then a small plate.
On top of the plate put a heavy weight. A pot of water or a couple of bricks on top of a round chopping board work well.
Leave overnight and in the morning drain liquid and rinse well.
Put in steriised jars and cover with spiced vinegar.
Leave one week before eating with cold meats or cheese or as a side dish with bangers and mash.

One of my all time favourites - perfect for a quick meal on a cold day.

Chickpea and Chorizo Soup

1 onion diced
1 red chilli seeded and chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
420gm can of tomatoes, chopped
1 can water
2 tsp All Purpose Seasoning (see Seasonings)
1 chorizo sausage, cubed
1 can chickpeas, drained
150gm cabbage, sliced finely
Grated parmesan

1. Sauté chilli and onion in oil for 2 minutes, stirring.
2. Add tomatoes then water, sausage and seasoning powder and bring to the boil.
3. Add chick peas and cabbage and cook until cabbage is wilted.
4. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
TIP
Use other beans if chick peas are not available, use two cans for a main meal dish. Broccoli, cauliflower or spinach can substitute for cabbage. This soup improves with age, I like it better reheated.

Lemon Mushroom Pasta

Serves 4.
Dressing
½ tsp chilli powder
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cm piece ginger, peeled and grated
¼ cup white wine vinegar
¼ tsp salt
⅓ cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp dark sesame oil
3 Tbsp olive oil

Pasta
400g dried linguine cooked according to the package instructions
300g fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 Tbsp butter
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 block tempeh, cut in 2cm squares (optional)
1 Tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 Tbsp spring onions, finely chopped
¼ Lebanese cucumber, sliced
1 Tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

1. Make the dressing by combining all ingredients, except for the sesame oil and olive oil in a food processor or hand blender. Run the blender for a few seconds, until all ingredients are combined. With the machine running, drizzle in the oils.
2. Heat a frying pan over high heat. Add the butter and oil and when the butter starts bubbling, add the mushrooms. Sauté on high for 3 minutes. Remove from pan.
3. Add more oil if needed and sauté the tempeh until brown.
4. In a large bowl, toss the cooked linguine with all the other ingredients and some of the dressing (to taste.)

Tempeh Pate

2 cloves garlic
1 onion
1 Tbsp butter
300g tempeh
2 eggs
3 Tbsp brandy or ¼ cup port
2 tsp mushroom soy
2 tsp vegemite or promite ½ tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp allspice
2 tsp chilli sauce
¼ tsp pepper
1 Tbsp sesame seeds

1.Saute chopped onion and garlic in butter until soft.
2. Place in food processor with all other ingredients except sesame seeds and process until smooth.
3. Pour into a small, well greased casserole dish. The pate needs to be at least 2 cm deep.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and cover tightly with foil.
5. Bake at 180˚C for about 50 minutes until set. Remove foil and cook a further 5 minutes or until the top has browned slightly.