Tutorial: Herb Shots

I couldn't resist showing you this really nifty idea, which is slightly beyond my usual tutorials as it is cooking related. I found it so long ago on a random blog - I can't even remember which one - but I thought it was such a good idea I had to share it with you.

One of the things I find really annoying about buying herbs from the supermarket is that you always seem to have a small amount left over that goes off before you have a chance to use it. Now that I am growing some fresh herbs in the garden this does eliminate some problems, but what about those random herbs that you only use on odd occasions or can't seem to grow? For example, when we had some friends come to stay I made a smoked salmon and dill tart. I don't use dill very often, mainly with fish, so I ended up with a big bunch left over going to waste. Does this happen to you too? If so turn the left over herbs into herb shots.

YOU WILL NEED:

• left over herbs
• jug of cold water
• scissors
• ice cube tray
• a freezer

METHOD:
1. Start by filling your empty ice cube tray with the herbs. Cut the herbs up using scissors and make sure they are each in a different slot and not over flowing onto each other. Do not compact the herbs down too much otherwise your water will not filter through.

2. Fill the slots with the water. Try not to over fill but make sure all the herbs are covered. You can do this stage straight in the freezer if you like, just open the freezer tray place the ice cube tray in and fill with water in position.

3. Make sure you put the tray in the freezer and leave over night to freeze. Once frozen you can always pop the cubes out of the tray and store them in a food bag in the freezer so that you can use the tray again.

When you are next making a sauce for your fish dish all you have to do is pop one of the herb shots into the saucepan and allow it to melt and infuse into the sauce. I think this is a really good money saving, thrifty idea. After all, it is good home management to ensure we use the food we buy properly.
xx

Refrigerator Free Kitchen

Could you live without a refrigerator? No, I couldn't either, but with a different mind set and cooking style we may all be converted.

Ages ago I saw an episode of River Cottage where Hugh was going veggie. He spent some time with the chef Sachiko Saeki at her home learning wonderful Japanese cookery - watch the episode HERE. In the episode Saeki had a revelation for Hugh, she didn't have a fridge! A lot of traditional Japanese cooking lends itself to a 'fridge free' life style, a lot of the ingredients are pickled or dried, and they have other techniques for keeping things fresh. Now, since our visit to Japan I have become a little obsessed with trying to recreate all my memories. I think my experiences whilst travelling has had a huge impact on how and what I cook. Could I live a traditional Japanese lifestyle without a fridge?

I wasn't sure, until I saw this article on Gardenista.

All images courtesy of Gardenista

It is still just a concept, but Korean designer Jihyun Ryou, graduate from The Dutch Design Academy Eindhoven, has been looking into the concept of a fridge free home. It involves understanding how food ripens, reacts with humidity and interacts with each other. I am particularly taken with the apple and potato store.

Image courtesy of Gardenista

The apples sit in cut out holes in the top, whilst the potatoes are hidden in a box underneath. This concept is very harmonious, the potatoes are kept nice and dark, and the apples (which emit ethylene gas which can make other food ripen) prevent the potatoes from sprouting eyes.

I don't know if you can tell but I am completely taken with this concept. I am in love with it. I'm not going to be giving up my fridge any time soon, but I think I may try slowly introducing a different way of storing my food.
xx

New Item Friday

Added to the shop today is this gorgeous set of glasses. Their soft, vintage colours are just lovely. Head over to the shop to check them out.

We have another busy weekend ahead of us. The mother and sister (soon to be) in-law are coming on Saturday, and we intend on taking them dress shopping for our wedding (my other half groans and rolls his eyes at this point with the thought of taking 3 women clothes shopping). We are very lucky that Frome is packed with vintage clothes shops so fingers crossed we may find a gem for the mother of the groom. Then on Sunday I am back at work but will also be appearing at the Frome Flea. This Sunday is the last Super-market event for this year. St. Catherine's hill and the main high street will be closed off to cars, and packed full with stall holders. As the weather forecast is looking good for the weekend I would definitely get down to Frome.
What ever you are doing I hope you have a lovely time. Take every opportunity to enjoy the sunshine!
xx

Pantry Swooning

I was flicking through one of my favourite blogs Oh, Hello Friend and couldn't help gasping at the absolutely gorgeous pantry in one of their posts.

Image courtesy of Oh, Hello Friend

I love the yellow and white, I love the anal organisation, I love that everything matches. I also spy a Kitchenaid, which I want. Oh, why do I not have a larger kitchen....
xx

Before and After: New Back Garden

So there are still some changes to be made to the back garden but I thought I should show you how it looks at the moment before summer is completely lost. The fact that it is currently tipping it down with rain outside may mean that I have lost summer already, but I am ever the optimist.

Obviously this space is very small but it is a nice little blank canvas and devoid of any plants. As I mentioned previously, I was hoping to fit in a small bench or seat in here, so I could enjoy the sunshine whilst reading and drinking coffee.

This is how it currently looks. We have filled the corner with herbs (keeping the mint in its own separate pot otherwise it will take over everything!), whilst the other container is filled with beautiful things that my Mum has given me. This is a combination of plants that will die off come the winter but hopefully some will grow back next year. Using some bricks and a paving slap that we found in the out-house I have made a little temporary seat - I've got to enjoy the colours whilst I can!

The future plan is to re-paint the walls when we have some rain free days. Plant some Sweet Pea seeds into the flower planter, which hopefully should grow up the climber and add some more colour. I plan on having some more herbs in pots around the seat, and hopefully create a different seat (or maybe just add some cushions to that one??). And also add a climbing plant opposite the seat, to climb up the wall of the out-house. But as the garden currently stands I feel very happy with it, after all you can't beat being able to pick your own herbs for dinner.
xx

Ruche Home

I had to share with you some of the gorgeous home ware that I am lusting after over at Ruche. I get their newsletters via email and they have to go and tempt me with pretty things.

All Images Courtesy of Ruche

Clockwise from Top Left: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6

I hope you enjoy.

xx

New Gazebo

So my weekend was a bit hit and miss. The weather held off on Sunday, which was great. The market was not a great sucess, but my gazebo looked fab!

It was easy to put up and the weights around the legs looked great and worked really well. It is rather large but I think it is going to be super useful in the future. I'm very pleased with my new purchase and can't wait to play with it myself.
I hope you have a lovely weekend and enjoy your bank holiday Monday you are fortunate enough to get one.
xx