Free Photographic Quote...

The smallest things can warm the heart...

Just like this tiny fern frond!

Isn't simply beautiful?

You'll find more of my 'Photographic Quotes' HERE.

#photography #photo #filter #fern #frond #nature #quote

Nutella Berry Tart...

I'm a Nutella lover...

I'm a berry lover...

And I'm a pastry lover.

And this very simple to make Nutella Berry Tart is a fabulous combination of all those taste bud tantalisers,

as well as being a fitting farewell to the end

 of our Southern Hemisphere summer berry season.

It's just so easy to make, I am not even going to create a printable recipe!

All you do is roll out  (or use ready-rolled) flaky pastry.

(400 gram block used here)

Roll into a rectangle about 23 by about 30cm in size.

Prick it all over with a fork.

Bake for 20 minutes in a hot 200 degree Celcius oven until golden.

It will be puffy.

So when you remove it from the oven cut a few slits and gently press the pastry flat using a paper towel.

Cool the pastry until just warm.

Remove the lid of a small 220 gram jar of Nutella spread.

Microwave for 30 seconds on high.

Mix with a knife in the jar and then spread over the pastry base.

Add chopped strawberries.

Top with raspberries.

Sprinkle over 70 grams of roasted chopped and shelled hazelnuts.

Then finally drizzle with 220 grams of melted white chocolate.

And a sprinkle of thyme leaves.

Enjoy warm or eat cold.

Nutella, berries, nuts and pastry = Nom NOM Nom!

#nutella #dessert #homemade #berry #pastry

All You Ever Wanted To Know About Kaffir Limes... ❥

I was looking for a new 'something' to grow in my kitchen...
the herbs all had done their dash, so I thought what about a Kaffir lime tree.

Have you ever thought about growing a Kaffir Lime tree on your kitchen bench?
If your kitchen is generous with bright light and morning sun or afternoon sun then you can.
(Remember that a daystay outside in the sun every two weeks is beneficial too)

Kaffir Lime is available in a dwarf variety called Flying Dragon.
So this is the one to chose to grow in a pot.

I potted mine into a plastic pot that fits into my favourite French style painted pot, 
and added slow release fertilizer to help new growth.
(the plan is to use lower leaves first and then topiary this lime.)

Some decorative stones were added to the top of the soil.

The leaves are highly aromatic, and are used like a bay leaf in cooking.

In Thai and Asian Cuisine  - soups and curries  - it is included but whole leaves are removed just before before serving.
You can use the whole leaves to flavour jasmine rice by adding to the water when cooking.
The leaves can be stored frozen with no use by time limit.
Or you can sun dry the leaves.

But did you know Kaffir Lime is not just for culinary use?
You can:

💚Add zest of fruit to a hot bath for lime scented water.

💚make a Lime Tea from the leaves and/or zest.

💚Bruise some leaves or chop and add to the water of an aromatherapy diffuser.
The aroma is said to be stress reducing.

💚Use a bruised leaf and rub on skin for a natural lime scent.  (Always check for allergy in a small area of skin first).
The oil of kaffir is also said to be helpful to ease arthritic pain.

💚It is a great natural insect repellent.


So there you go...
I thought this story about my Kaffir Lime kitchen plant was going to be culinary.
But not so...
It is an incredible plant with many uses.

#kaffir #lime #potplant #kitchenplants