For my injured arm

I had a fall on January 2nd and have not been able to use my left arm. My physio directed using an ice pack on my elbow for 20 minutes at least 3 times a day.
I was using a bag of frozen broad beans. When I came home from work on Tuesday evening there was a packet on my bed. A gift from Graham.

A retro ice bag

 I didn't even know that these existed. I had only seen them in cartoons.

I just think it is great.

Honey and Harissa Glazed Eggplant

I first made this recipe in December 2010. Spicy and delicious. Made it again in January 2011 and again in March 2011. It was then I had the idea to serve it on toasted french loaf to go with drinks instead of a vegetable dish. The crunch of the toast, spicy eggplant and col yoghurt on top is a winner.

The spice ingredients

I made this again as one my contributions to New Years Eve dinner. It also was part of a meal with friends the evening before.

Very successful

The recipe is from June 2010 edition of Delicious Magazine.

Green Tomato Jam

Dad used to make Green Tomato Jam at Coomera. They had a large vegetable garden so I presume that this was a way to use green tomatoes. Jonelle and I have both looked for his recipe in the usual places but can't find it. When we went to visit we always had breakfast from the bar b que. Bacon and eggs grilled tomato then toast with the heavenly jam. Some days my boys would clean up a whole jar of the jam at one breakfast sitting.
Nev planted tomatoes in the garden in November to be ready for summer. Something started to attack them so I picked all of the green ones before they were more damaged.

The produce from the garden yesterday

I googled and found numerous recipes - surprisingly in all of the recipe books I have there were none for Green Tomato Jam. I made the simplest one I could find. I can't imagine that in Coomera in the late 70's early 80's dad would have been sourcing fresh ginger and vanilla pods for a country style jam.

The finished jam

I think that it tastes just right.

Maxi supervising

The strawberry pot

My strawberry pot  has not been used yet for strawberries. 

Begonias

In the lead up to Christmas I wanted some new colour for the pot. I have always loved begonias - it worked.

I must find out when it is time to plant strawberry runners. 

Stone jar with leaves and berries

I have quite a collection of stone jars and vases. It is something that just seemed to evolve. I started saving European mustard pots (after I had eaten the mustard) in the 70's. In the early 80's My Aunt Billie was clearing out a storage shed and gave me a box full of very interesting stoneware pieces. When she moved again this year she gave me the balance of her collection.
This jar was sitting for ages on the shelf out side my laundry window with leaves and berries from an old flower arrangement. Whilst preparing for this Christmas Day I hastily put it on the bakers stand with the ferns etc to get it out of the way. Then all of a sudden on Christmas morning I saw how at home it looked in it's new surroundings.

So at home

Christmas Day Food Preparation

I do love planning food for any occasion. I had to stop myself from thinking about the menu for New Years eve when I hadn't even finalized what I was doing for Christmas Day.

I started with the cocktail. It has to be fruity and cold in the Queensland summer. I remembered the Planters Punch that I had within the first hour that I arrived on the Island of St Thomas in the Caribbean. Cold tall and lots of fruity zing. I have been looking in all of my books for a recipe. I finally found the right one.

So happy I found these straws

I just knew that I wanted to do the ham with the fig glaze again. I had already the made Peach Chutney for gifts.

Getting ready for the oven

Finished

I love a colourful table

The desserts

Sunbeam Mix Master

I really would like one of those fabulous Kenwood Chef mixers that do everything except bake the cake. However Graham inherited his grandmother's old Sunbeam.

This is definitely a 60's model

 It still goes! Not only that if it does eventually die we have a back up - his Mother's. She doesn't use it anymore. Every time I have to use this I am terrified that something will break. It never does.

I just can't bring myself to buy a new mixer for approximately $700 when we already have 2. Plus where to store it. Our kitchen cupboards are full.