2022 where have you gone
Where do I start. I feel I have been very slack with blogs and yet I don’t know where the days have disappeared to over the past few months.
I do know we have had ALOT of weeds and since it’s the time of the year for planting – my hundreds of seedlings have mostly found homes. Plus, it is our first vegetable garden foray in Tarras. OMG I think we have planted a market garden and will be inundated with produce. The next job for our builders might have to be a shed at the gate!!!!
Seriously, I don’t think so but we will have a very healthy diet full of fruit and vegetables.
Our property in Tarras is starting show signs of growth after most of it was planted just over two years ago. Actually it’s phenomenal that some trees were planted at a little over 500 cm are now well over 2 m. I embarked on a perennial bank and it’s a complete joy, full of mauves, purples and yellow ( Good Otago Colours ) filled in with tall grasses and lots of drifts of herbs – sage, rosemary, thyme, marjoram and tall fennel. They do so well in the dry and on some days very windy conditions.
I am immersed in this new garden and already I can see the initial mass planting is paying off and will provide a framework that will look after itself. Our garage extension and storage rooms are completed – although I would love to find more jobs to employ Gary and Tim – our amazing builders who did lots of other little things for me. I am sure they must have rolled their eyes many time with some of my requests. But, not only were they the best professional builders they completed landscaping, painted and even helped me with a table that our 3 ¾ year old grandson Asher painted for all his cousins to sit at over summer.
But 2023 is going to be exciting.
Philip retired last Friday!!! Our gorgeous little cottage and garden in Dunedin will be up on Airbnb. We will get to spend our weeks together as Philip won’t have the Friday / Sunday drive up and down from Dunedin to Tarras. The Polytech will be missed but we are all proud of his achievements over the past 18 years. I hope they can keep their budget in the black.!!!
We have a summer membership at Tarras Golf club!!!, lovely walks close by and we are looking forward to short trips away to explore our own backyard to the West Coast and Southland.
It also means we will be planning and escorting tours together and 2023 is starting off with three. I have so many E Mails about tours and what is happening.
Victoria – Australia – Food , Wine and Gardens – I have a cancellation so one place available . If you are interested in the itinerary get in touch. I would like to repeat this wonderful Autumn journey in 2024. Let me know.
Turkey – June 2023 – With Alison and Hasan. This tour is different from the past years and a chance to explore the unique foody regions – Ankara – Cappadocia – Gaziantep – Hatay – Coastal Iskenderun- Finishing in Istanbul.
Italy – 15th – 30th September. Based around a very beautiful Villa in Tuscany for 7 days – where we will doing day trips. I have my friend Alessandro cooking every day – so this is going to be a very special experience. Prior to Tuscany : 4 days in Rome, including a day to Tivoli gardens and Hadrians Villa and 4 days on the Amalfi Coast – visiting Pompei, Capri and exploring the Coast . The word has been out and this tour has 2 rooms left for either a Twin or 2 singles sharing.
2024
I have started sending E mails out regarding accommodation for 2024. Travel is manic and accommodation the hardest for me to secure.
Possibilities :
France : Provence or Burgundy – Paris – Normandy
UK : A road trip from Edinburgh to London – Garden focused – I would like to base this around the Chatsworth Garden Show.
Turkey : Exploring the culture and regions not so touristy.
Italy : Another Villa – Another region !!
I am looking at Spain – which would be amazing – but a lot of work here.
Tell me what you like the sound of –
What’s been Cooking at our House.
Well… It has to be based around new potatoes. My friend Ken Bagley from Wanaka is growing and selling his delicious potatoes from his shop Selectrix. Some days they are sold out by lunchtime. But, they are a sheer necessity and a true delicacy.
At this time of the year there is only one meal I crave for and that is :
New potatoes drizzled with warm hollandaise and topped with salmon ; – Usually I use hot smoked salmon. But,I had cold smoked slices in the fridge and topped it with avocado. Wild rocket, water cress or even good old chopped parsley work equally as well.
My other go to at the moment is the luscious bulbs of fennel growing in our garden . It’s an easy vegetable to grow and they will reward you with the lovely aniseedy flavour that goes with so many dishes.
I made a thinly sliced Fennel and orange salad to go with a lemon and rosemary barbecued butterflied chicken and my all-important boiled new potatoes. Even enough for left overs the following night.
The Best Hollandaise
2 egg yolks 100 grams bubbling melted butter Salt and pepper
In a food processor whisk the egg yolks. Melt the butter until bubbling . Drizzle the hot butter very slowly into the egg yolks. It should thicken. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Option: Add diced Ham and chopped parsley. Serve over poached asparagus.
Fennel and Orange Salad
2 x fennel bulbs – cut in half and sliced very thinly – I use a mandolin – but food processor would work. 3 x oranges – Skin removed – sliced into quarters – sliced Juice of an orange ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil fennel fronds sea salt
Toss all ingredients together and leave for 30 minutes before serving.
Best Wishes for Christmas everyone. Happy Cooking and spending time with your families.
XXX Judith