July 2019 – MakeCookGrow.com

Steam Buns, Apple Crumble and Roasted Vegetables

Share this post

STEAM BUNS

We first met these fat little puffs of deliciousness in Bali in May and knew we wanted to make them at home. One cold Sunday recently, my son began the process of making them for our dinner. We were very glad he did as they were wonderful, filled with spicy meat and vegetables.

Cut little squares of parchment paper to slip in the fold of the buns so they don’t stick while they steam. Meanwhile, bring the water to boiling point in the steamer.

Insert paper and fold in half over a chopstick, put in steamer insert.

Steam the buns for eight minutes or until they become light and fluffy. Carefully remove and add fillings, serve.

Steamed Bao Buns recipe from Jeremy Pang www.bbcgoodfood.com

Delicious!

APPLE CRUMBLE

Apples are in season so I made apple crumble. Stewed the apples in water with a little sugar and cinnamon, plus some sultanas. Made the crumble from oatmeal, flour, sugar and butter. Serve with cream or icecream. Good winter food, good any other time, too.

ROASTING VEGETABLES

The Australian Women’s Weekly VEGETARIAN BASICS cookbook.

We’re meat eaters but when I flicked through this book, I drooled and then I cooked! It’s full of recipes using winter seasonal vegetables. I’ve roasted cauliflowers, potatoes, pumpkin, made zucchini frittatas and roasted mushrooms. Each recipe, focusing on one vegetable, has three or four variations.

I roasted large mushrooms with garlic, thyme, EVO oil and red wine vinegar.

I made the Roasted Pumpkin and Rosemary Crumble, using a jap pumpkin and the crumble made from panko breadcrumbs, wholegrain mustard, chopped up rosemary, pine nuts and butter. The second time I made it I substituted plain sourdough breadcrumbs and chopped walnuts as I ran out of panko crumbs and pine nuts. Other crumbles in the book are Miso Chilli Pumpkin, Lebanese Spiced Pumpkin and Pumpkin and Gremolata. Crunch and contrast against the creamy flavour of the pumpkin.

I baked a Whole Cauliflower in vegetable stock, coated with a mix of smoked paprika, garlic, parmesan and butter, and before serving cut into wedges, sprinkled with parsley. Very, very popular!

Roasted a tray of potatoes following their recipe and they were very good, too.

I used a leftover wedge of cauliflower in a little puddle of stock and some roasted pumpkin to make soup. I boiled the veg with some extra vegetable stock and when everything was soft, I Barmixed it. Thick luscious soup served with some leftover crumble from the baking dish.

This large softcover book is full of recipes for readily available vegetables. I’ll be dipping into this for some time to come!

Pages marked for entertaining and this weekends cooking.

OTHER THINGS

Made and froze two trays of pasties for lunches during our wet and cold season.

The 29th of July will be International Tiger Day, founded after an international summit in 2010 revealed that 92% of wild tigers disappeared last century with only about 3000 left alive. Factors being highlighted included the impact of habitat loss, hunting and poaching.

Share this post

Six Almost Free Luxuries

Share this post

What is your definition of luxury?

What would you do if you won $40 million dollars?

Listening to the radio when I was driving recently the announcer was discussing a $4o million dollar Lotto ( lottery) draw. He said the winner would be, “Living in the lap of luxury.” Listeners were invited to phone in and describe their idea of luxury.

Generally people listed building or buying dream homes, first class world travel, especially cruises, cars, boats, bikes and 4WD vehicles. One man said he’d pay for his Nanna’s hip surgery as she’d been waiting for it a long time, but mostly listeners wanted to buy similar things; houses, travel and vehicles.

I didn’t win Lotto and am not in the market for any of those things but I do like luxurious little treats around the house which make life very comfortable. They’re much cheaper than the list above, too!

1. My mother always has FRESH FLOWERS in the house. Like her, I mostly grow them in the garden, so minimal cost. I like pretty relaxed arrangements of whatever is flowering. I specifically grow roses, alstromerias, tulips and irises as cut flowers and create contrasting colours using ivy, rosemary and lavender. ( If the ivy roots whilst in the vase, I plant it on the verge where I’m creating a low maintenance garden. Lawn needs mowing and constant watering, but ivy is easy and lush) I also have an orchid which blooms every year and stays inside for about five weeks.

2. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY accessed through our local library. I can download books, DVDs, order books, magazines and DVDs from their catalogue, send printing and pick it up later and also read current magazines and newspapers.

3. The best COFFEE and TEA. Since my niece told me about a coffee capsule strong enough for my preferred double espressos, I’d rather drink coffee at home and really enjoy the flavour. Espressos arrive cold in coffee shops, at home I have the luxury of great flavour, fine china and hot coffee. It is consistently good and I can recycle the capsule. My son, a keen tea drinker, has a cupboard full of his favourite blends. He uses loose leaves in a teapot or a tea infuser. This way he avoids the plastic in many teabags and has a very good cup of tea.

4. LEMONS and LIMES. Zest and a fresh flavour hit for fish, salad dressing, Asian flavoured foods, pancakes, chutney and in bottles of water. I love the smell, flavour and versatility of these common citrus. They add luxury to everything! And vitamin C.

5. FRESH AIR and SUNLIGHT. In winter the light comes right into the back of the house. It adds warmth and brightness. First thing in the morning, while the coffee machine warms up, I go around and open the shutters. I also open doors to let the air circulate and freshen the house. Everything feels clean and lighter.

This one always finds the warm sunlit patches.

6. Retirement has brought the luxury of using TIME how I like, including lying in bed some mornings, reading, and going to activities such as painting, mahjong, yoga and bookclub during the day. I walk 12 000+ steps a day and used to do this mostly at night. Now I have the time to do two or three long walks a day. I still vacuum, shop, cook and tidy up, but not at a frantic pace. Being able to choose how I spend my time is luxurious!

Apart from being my brother’s birthday, yesterday was Caviar Day. True caviar comes from only a few types of sturgeon. So, celebrate with a bowl of caviar eaten from a mother of pearl spoon and enjoy its salty deliciousness.

Share this post

Plastic Free July: 9 Easy Changes

Share this post

Plastic Free July is run by the Plastic Free foundation, which aims for a world without plastic waste. Plastic Free July is a time to consider alternatives to single use plastics in your life.

What is the problem with plastics?

Plastic isn’t biodegradable, it is photodegradable, which means it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, but never goes away. These smaller pieces easily enter the food chain. Micro-plastic particles have even been found in drinking water, both bottled and tap water.

Can’t I just recycle plastics?

Recycling is not really the solution, either. Until recently, recyclable products were compressed into bales and sent to China, but since 2018 China has not been accepting the huge amounts of rubbish traditionally shipped to, and in a small way, recycled in China. Plastic is now sent to landfill.

The problem with recycling plastic is that it loses quality when it is broken down and this degraded material is then used in carpets or some fleece clothing textiles. One load of washing of textiles made from recycled plastics have been seen to shed up to 700,000 micro-plastic particles into our waterways. We don’t know what this is doing to our health, but we know it weakens sealife and they stop reproducing and are easy prey for other fish, so the contamination continues.

Plastic is a useful and cheap product, but there are so many ways to move away from single use plastics. Pick some changes which are easy to make and start with them. Later you can make other substitutions. Change can be gradual as your find alternatives which suit you.

Nine easy, everyday ways to use less plastics are

1. Reusable shopping bags instead of single use plastic bags. Just put them at the door or back into your car when you unpack your shopping and you wont forget to take them.

The large fabric bags have handles stitched right around them so can carry heavy goods without too much strain on the bag. I can also wash them.

These lightweight little pouches store big bags. Handy when you forget your shopping bags or make unplanned purchases. Keep one or two in your handbag, car or pocket.

2. Avoid cling film and instead cover bowls with silicone lids which are reusable. You can also use beeswax covers which are reusable for about 12 months then go in the compost. There’s so many tutorials online for making beeswax covers or buy them. You can put a saucer or plate over bowls in the fridge or, my new favourite, especially on bowls of bread dough I’ve left out to rise, a clear hotel style shower cap! They wipe clean, dry quickly and fit perfectly.

Re-using a hotel shower cap as a bowl cover, secure fit and strong enough to last for a long time.

These silicone covers stretch over so many containers.

3. Take you own cup in your bag for takeaway coffee. If you forget, consider drinking your coffee on site from the cafe’s ceramic mug.

4. If you’re buying taking away food, replace plastic cutlery with a bamboo set or even spare cutlery from home. These can be carried in a Cutlery Roll, a pencil case or even wrapped in a tea towel, secured with a rubber band.

Many shops will pack your order into your own containers, but ask first and not when they’re really, really busy. Luckily, you can compost a pizza box and the wrapping from fish and chips!

5. Use a metal drinking bottle instead of buying bottled water. Buy an aluminum straw. If you forget, look around and see if there’s a drinking fountain. If you need to buy a drink, buy something in a glass bottle you can wash and re-use. Glass is just sand, a mineral and infinitely recyclable without loss of quality.

6. Buy fruit and vegetables loose. Gather fabric bags of various sizes and keep them in your shopping bags. You can make the bags from old netting curtains, thin cotton or take pillowcases. Try asking for paper bags if you forget your bags. Buying loose fruit and veg also means you get select the pieces you prefer.

7. Look for online recipes for making yoghurt if this is something you frequently buy. I don’t think the bought tubs are easy to re-use and you can make your own yoghurt cheaply at home in a glass jar.

8. Buy what you can in glass, paper or cardboard. Jars are useful for storage, paper and cardboard can be recycled, put in the compost or in your worm farm. I re-use jars with a wide openings most often.

9. Look for bars of soap and toilet paper wrapped in paper or similar products. The wrappers can be shredded for compost, dug into the garden or recycled. Sometimes the wrappers smell pretty enough to put in your sock drawer.

I’d love to know if you have a clever idea for re-using the length of plastic the newspaper comes in. I like a dry newspaper, but the wrapper goes in the bin. Not good.

To get more ideas, channel your grandmother, especially if she is pre-plastic!

Yesterday was World Population Day, intended to focus on the ever growing world population and the adverse effect of this on the environment. The belief is that the world cannot sustain the social and logistical pressures that increasing population will create. There is also an emphasis on reproductive health, particularly in developing countries and how this impacts on population growth.

Share this post

Rottnest Island in Winter, June 2019

Share this post

Rottnest Island, a favourite holiday destination, is 19km off Western Australia’s coast. It was originally home to the Aboriginal people until rising sea levels separated the island from the mainland about 7000 years ago. Rotto, as the locals say, is an A Class reserve, which represents the highest level of protection for public land.

We boarded the ferry at the Fremantle Wharf. The journey was very rough with a high swell and waves, so we bumped and crashed our way across. Normally this trip takes 30 minutes, ours took 80 via Rous Head, so I was relieved to step onto the jetty.

This sailing ship moored at the wharf is the STS Leeuwin, Australia’s largest sail training tall ship. Built and based in Fremantle, it is a three masted 1850’s style barquentine replica, built in WA.

The ferry jetty in Thomsons Bay where visitors arrive and leave. The barges also dock here to deliver their cargo.

Looking south along the beach at Thomsons Bay. Stunning in summer and pretty good in winter, too. Rottnest is great for swimming, snorkeling, diving ( so many shipwrecks!) surfing, fishing, long bike rides, two lighthouses and lovely walks. Only service vehicles are allowed so it is safe to wander and ride all around the island. Hire bikes are available, both traditional and electric.

We were there during two major storms. The days were wet and gloomy at times but we were able to walk to favourite spots and when the sun was shining it was lovely and warm. Weren’t able to do big walks to other bays due to the rain but we still enjoyed our break and looking at the wildlife.

Rottnest Island Pine, a conifer endemic to the Island, grows to medium height and has dense green foliage.

Evidence of strong winds on a path to the beach.

Branch of Rottnest Island Pine cones.

Looking back towards the mainland. In summer the bay is full of boats.

Older cottage. When I stayed in these cottages as a child there were no bathrooms and we wandered over to the shower block each evening.

Newer cottages, about 40 years old and older cottages along the front road in Thomsons Bay.

All the accommodation is painted in shades of ochre, specific to the Island.

Originally built in 1848 as the Second Superintendent’s House and Military Barracks , built in 1844, these buildings are available for rent.

The Museum which used to be the Library. Built in 1857 it has also been a mill and hay store. There are many old and interesting buildings on Rottnest. There’s also many attractive bays and beaches, lighthouses and lakes to visit.

The top of the Pilot Boathouse, built in 1859. It was also thought to have been used as a transit cell for prisoners awaiting transportation to the mainland.

The Salt Store, built 1886 has also been used as a bank, a library, office and museum. It now has art exhibitions and other displays. The museum, Salt House and guided walks are all done by volunteers who are very well informed.

Famous for selfies with Roger Federer, quokkas are small native marsupials found in very few other locations. Other easily spotted animals are Australian Sea Lions and also Southern Fur Seals.

There used to be so many peacocks on Rottnest but because they are an introduced species the peahens have been removed to prevent breeding. Only two peacocks remain and will not be replaced. We have a photo of our son as a small boy feeding the birds but apparently they became feral and demanded food from visitors.

Looking north across Thomson Bay. Bathurst Lighthouse is visible on the left of the skyline. The other light house on Rottnest is Wadjemup near Salmon Bay.

The Garden Lake from our veranda. Pretty view, great location and a large room but the Karma Lodge is overdue for a thorough renovation and intensive staff training and supervision.

Entrance to Karma Resort. The white building on the left is the Anglican Chapel. Built in 1856-57 it was a school during the week and a Chapel on the weekend. Services ceased in 1910 with the chapel being re-dedicated by the Anglican Archbishop of Perth in 1965. There is also an old, attractive Catholic Church nearby.

Walkway from Karma to the lake side.

Wonderfully fresh and delicious yeast bun from The Bakery. It was so big we shared it! We enjoyed a lovely curried pie and vanilla slice from The Bakery, too. Following the advice of the local policeman we went across the square for good coffee from The Lane. Great icecream from Simmo’s, too.

This is the scroll we bought at a coffee shop. It was stale. My husband returned it and the manager said, “It was fresh on Monday.” This was Thursday. It was awful.

it’s July and we are halfway through 2019. July was named after the Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar by decision of the Roman Senate, in 44BC. It was originally the fifth month in the old calendar and was known as Quintilis, meaning fifth. Happy halfway July!

Share this post