Back to the Land

Sunshine today, a gentle breeze and the siren call of the garden had me outside bright and early. The plants in my greenhouse are crying out to be moved to bigger pots, and the first potatoes planted up will soon be in flower. The so called Rocket, even though they were just nipped by a frost, have finally decided to take off and have nearly caught up with the Pilot. I have had more than 14 cuts of salad leaves, spinach and fresh herbs, at supermarket prices I reckon it to be worth £14 at least, I nearly forgot the radishes, fresh crunchy bursts of pepperyness, priceless.

My sewing will resume tomorrow, I have the 2 new quilt tops to load onto the frame, just need to dig out the sheets for backing. I posted a load of photos yesterday but left one out.

This is the sum total of my scraps, some part blocks, strips and a few handfuls of squares and odd shapes. There were 3 plastic boxes and 2 bags stuffed full when I started. These will have to wait a while, I have my next quilt planned, it will probably be next month before I start pulling fabric though.

I want to get all my completed quilt tops layered and quilted first.

Tonight's dinner is a steal from another blog, Happening upon Happiness, Sweet Potato and Butter bean burgers. I added some wild garlic to the mix and instead of flour used some wholemeal breadcrumbs. They were delicious, I sprayed them with fry lite so they were crispy, they went into the mini oven for 25 minutes.

Baked on a silicone sheet so no bits to chisel off the tin.

On  bed of freshly picked salad leaves and herbs with a good heap of couscous on the side. A very filling meal, enough for 2 greedy peeps.

I pulled these while picking the salad, if I happen to get the munchies later they will be a crunchy little snack.

I do like a bargain and keep my eyes peeled when out and about. I had to pop into my local shop this afternoon and spotted a Breast of Lamb in the RTC fridge, 750 grams reduced to £1:39. Mine.

Boned out and stuffed, rolled and tied, wrapped in baking paper then foil it is in the freezer and will be an easy dinner on Sunday. The stuffing is a few chopped green olives, a handful of crumbled Feta, a big bunch of wild garlic and the zest of a lemon and a good pinch of ground black pepper. I will roast it on a bed of root veg and serve with mustard mash.

There were not enough bones for a stock pot so they are in the freezer waiting for some more. Scotch Broth in the future.

I had a pot of Marscapone, RTC and half a pot of cream in the fridge, I was thinking of Tiramasu, but decided to experiment. I tipped them into a bowl and whisked them up, then added some Camp Coffee to my taste, whisking well. Into the freezer for an hour then out and whisk again. I then scraped it all into a plastic tub and returned it to the freezer. On Sunday it will be pudding, sliced onto a plate, a sprinkle of roughly chopped walnuts and a drizzle of dark maple syrup. I will make some shortbread to serve with it. 

There will be plenty for four. I even picked up the unsalted butter for baking  RTC 65 p, 6 in the freezer and 1 in the fridge.

I do not mind entertaining at bargain prices, and I like the challenge of producing a tasty meal for pennies.

I am now going to slob on the sofa and watch some mindless TV for an hour, I have a little hand sewing to do.

     TTFN                                                    Pam