Gooseberry Chutney

Well--I am amazed by how many gooseberries can grow on one little gooseberry bush------amazed, but very happy!!!!  Yum----these are one of my favorite berries.   Gooseberries are crunchy, tart and sweet--yes, all that in each and every berry.  Click here to learn more about this little gem.

Hubby & I have been picking a few berries here and there, to crunch on as we walked past the bush for the past couple of weeks.  I decided I would take a small container outside to see if there was enough berries to make a small bottle of jam-----wow, there were lots!

I decided to make a small batch of gooseberry chutney......it is delicious!!!  We tried some yesterday on leftover roasted chicken----superb!!!  I know we will really appreciate this delicious concoction during the long winter months.

Here's a photo step-by-step.....from the bush to the bottles:

Eating this brought back wonderful childhood memories.  Our Mom would serve us homemade chutney or relish with fried bologna and mashed potatoes.  This was a popular staple meal when we were growing up.  Click here for the recipe link.  I made up half of this recipe, just to try it, but I'll be making another batch as soon as the rain stops and I can get out in the yard to pick some more gooseberries!

Cheers

:)

Millionaire's Shortbread

I follow an awesome blog almost every day, called Brown Eyed Baker.  This girl inspires me to no end.  I have tried many of her recipes, and they have all been fabulous.  Not only does she post great recipes, but I really enjoy her take on things and I love to read all about her grandmother's recipes and the stories she tells about her childhood in her Nan's kitchen.   

Yesterday, I tried her recipe from a  recent post for a most irresistible cookie called Millionaire's Shortbread.  Pop on over to her blog here, for the recipe, and be sure to check out some more of her great posts.

This cookie is easy to make, using common ingredients, and tastes divine!
Here's a photo step-by-step of how mine turned out.....................

I made my shortbread just slightly too wet, so I had to use a little flour on my fingers to 

 press it into the pan...still turned out just fine!

These cookies are like a Mars bar on steroids-----------Delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Brown Eyed Baker :)

Bread and Butter Pickles

I've been away from my blog for too long.  I've been suffering from a pulled muscle in my lower back.  This hits me once every year and a half or so.  Anyone who has a similar problem will understand.  I was confined to my bed for three days.  I am slowly getting up and around, but am still very nervous and very careful.  It happened when I simply placed a coffee on a small occasional table and was about to move it closer to my chair when "BAM"!!---that's how easy it happens.  Needless to say my coffee went all over the floor and table, and I couldn't even think about sitting up to enjoy drinking another coffee for about four days.

I missed all of the Gambo Day civic holiday festivities that I was so looking forward to, and I had to cancel all plans for hubby's birthday celebration.  Oh well, not to fear, Rana & Mark are coming for next weekend, so hopefully I will be right back to myself and we'll celebrate then.

I was able to stand at the kitchen island yesterday to chop, dice and slice a batch of fresh cucumber, so hubby helped me make our annual batch of bread and butter pickles.  I forgot to take pictures of the whole process, but I did take out the camera and got some shots of the finished product. 

Have a look........

Here's the recipe.....

Bread and Butter Pickles

16 cups             sliced cucumber

8                      medium onions (sliced)

1/3 cup             salt

5 cups               sugar

1 ½ tsp              mustard seed

1 ½ tsp              turmeric

4 cups               vinegar

Place all ingredients into a large canning pot and bring to a boil.  Cook for ten minutes, stirring occasionally.  Transfer cooked ingredients to sterilized jars and seal.  Store in a cool dry place. 

NOTE**

I used to add sliced green and red peppers for color, but the pepper cooks to a soft mushy consistency, therefore I eliminated it.  We prefer the crunchy texture of the cucumber and onions alone.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers

:)

Hot & Sunny in Gambo

We've had a couple weeks of extremely hot weather and lots of sun.  We are not at all used to this heat, but I'm not complaining.  Last night we had rain showers and it was greatly needed. 

This morning I took my camera along on my early morning walk around the trail---before it got too hot.  I got these two mushroom shots in one of my favorite shady spots on the trail.........

Last night's rain is quickly being soaked up by all the parched plants......

 
Our salmon rivers are very low and at risk of being closed if there is not a lot of rain to bring up the water levels.  The temperature of the water is much too warm as well.  We really need some help from Mother Nature now.  Here is a shot from one of the foot bridges on the Middle Brook walking trail.  hundreds of licensed salmon fishers, from all over our province, come to this area every summer to try their luck at fly-fishing a much coveted Atlantic salmon..  

The water is usually rattling through in this area, and none of the smaller  rocks are ever visible.  Just for comparison purposes, here is a shot of the same area that I took last fall.  You can certainly see the noticeable difference in the water levels........

Hope you all have a safe and happy weekend!

Cheers

:)

 

Salt Fish Cakes

One of the traditional foods of Newfoundland and Labrador is cod fish.  We cook it in many different ways.  We also preserve it in many different ways, such as fresh frozen, or salted and dried.   A favorite of ours is salt fish cakes.

First, the salted-dried fish must be soaked (usually over night) in cold water to remove most of the salt, then it can be cooked.  Once it is cooked, the skin is removed and all the bones are removed.............
 

then you boil some potatoes.......................

and fry some onions.............................

To the cleaned fish, add the strained and mashed potatoes & cooked onions........

Mix all these ingredients well, shape into desired size(like a really large meatball), then roll in flour........

Flatten balls into patty-shape, and fry in small amount of cooking oil, until golden brown on both sides.....

These golden beauties are now ready to serve, with your choice of condiment.  We usually enjoy fish cakes with homemade pickled beets....................................

Yuuuuummmmmy.......................................

What's a traditional meal in your neck of the woods???

Have a great weekend!

Cheers

:)