Jet puffed - this could describe what happens to us after several weeks in America enjoying festive fare and warm hospitality. Check out the ingredients in Fantasy Fudge that I made with Jen this afternoon - jet puffed marshmallow creme? Only in America!
Our green grocer has a counter of discounted fruit and vegetables that are on the brink of going bad. Currently the special seems to be mangoes so I brought home some spotted beauties and made some Indian style mango chutney. A perfect accompaniment to my favourite curry. Yum!
I am now the proud owner of A Slice of Canberra Quilters, a recipe book launched by Canberra Quilters at their annual exhibition last week. The watermelon image on the cover is the work of Dianne Firth and there are colour plates throughout the book. My quilt A Slice of Pumpkin Lasagne appears on the back cover. I look forward to trying out some of the recipes.
I’m looking forward to the Canberra Quilters Exhibition that opens on Thursday, 6 August. I see from the Canberra Quilters blog that Canberra food journalist and well-known embroiderer will be officiating and also launching the Canberra Quilters recipe book for which I contributed my favourite pumpkin lasagne recipe. The filling is good for cannelloni too.
Here’s my entry for the Canberra Quilters Recipe Book/Quilt Competition. An extra tall slice of Pumpkin Lasagne - good enough to eat!
Food and quilts, two of my favourite things. So I am having fun planning my entry into the Canberra Quilters Recipe Book Competition. CQ members are invited to submit favourite recipes for the compilation of a recipe book. In addition, they are invited to submit 12×16in quilts (portrait format) on a food theme. Can you guess what my quilt will depict? (Hint, it’s a recipe from Our Family Favourites) Do you have a favourite recipe or food quilt?
Ever since I saw the new Bernina Series 8 sewing machines at the Australasian Quilt Convention, the thought of buying a new machine at been at the back of my mind. I don’t strictly NEED a new machine. I bought my current machine over 8 years ago and it’s serving me well. Nevertheless, I would certainly enjoy having greater harp space and, after my latest green quilting project, I can see the appeal of dual feed; multiple spool holders and high capacity bobbins. With a price tag with a number of zeros, this is definitely not an investment to rush into though. (I’d go for the 820, I don’t need the deluxe embroidery features of the 830.)
Quiltmakers have made some fantastic quilts to celebrate the Series 8 launch. See, for example, Captiv8ing by Sue Dennis and Jenny Bowker’s quilt that was actually bought by the Bernina CEO. Eight is also a very auspicious number in Chinese culture - I wonder if there are any Chinese entries in Bernina’s competition.
Closer to home, and the Laundry King and I are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary. Wind and rain precluded any picnic plans but we did enjoy an evening meal at home of ocean trout, chocolate mousse* and champagne bubbles…
*This recipe uses olive oil instead of eggs and is VERY smooth. I substituted golden syrup with a dash of balsamic vinegar for the vino cotto which may sound odd but tasted great.
We’re home! and we have unpacked. Precious luggage included 3 kilos of honey (manuka, rewa rewa and tawiri flowers) from The Honey Centre and a bottle of Field of Grace chardonnay from Mahurangi River Winery which is now owned by a good friend of mine. Oh and also Christmas shopping for the US side of the family. How organised!
Now to do some grocery shopping so that we don’t starve over the Easter holiday. Don’t forget to get your ingredients for making Hot Cross Buns. See my sister’s photographs of each stage in the bun-making process.
If you know just where to look, you can find old fashioned quince trees on the side of a country road in New Zealand. The laundry king and I gathered some up and I made some quince paste. I stirred the mixture for too long so it turned out more like quince jerky but the flavour is exceptional.
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