Fruit Mince

The kitchen smells divine - the very essence of Christmas.

As part of my Christmas preparation this year, I have made some fruit mince. I love Fruit Mince Pies but I think I am the only one in the family who does. But store bought pies? No Thanks. So I am taking matters into my own hands and am going to make my own. I also have plans to try a light fruit cake recipe I found that uses fruit mince.


The fruit mince recipe is from a Women's Weekly Christmas Cook Book and makes 7 cups.

375g sultanas
375g raisins, chopped
225g dried currants
250g seeded dates, chopped
250g seeded prunes, chopped
1 large green apple, peeled and grated
100g brown sugar
1 tbsp finely grated orange rind
1/2 tbsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground cloves
1/4 cup plum jam
3/4 cup brandy (I used sweet sherry because I have this on hand for the trifle)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 3 days before using. Will keep for up to 6 months, covered and refrigerated.

My Little Cook

Miss Berry loves to cook and for the past few months she has told me when she grows up she wants to be a chef and bake cakes. (And no, this is not because of MasterChef).

Personally, I am encouraging her cooking. I figure by the time she is 5, I can get her cooking most of our meals. A five year old can use an oven and cook top unsupervised right? Imagine all the spare time I would have to catch up on my web-surfing if I didn't have to cook dinner each night.

The cleaning of the kitchen may be another matter. Once we have done the cooking, Miss Berry suddenly finds the whole thing very boring and moves on to something else, only to return in time for the taste testing.

Here is Miss Berry being totally absorbed in Play School whilst I cleaned up the flour she managed to sift everywhere but into the bowl this afternoon.


But even though I have been demoted to kitchen hand, I am really enjoying the time we spend together in the kitchen. And so far, she seems to be a good cook. Here is the (little) cake she made today:

A carrot, zucchini and pineapple cake.

I made one too, although mine is a more grown up size. Miss Berry's is sitting on a saucer to give you the idea of the size. Mine is also iced in an equally grown up lemon cream cheese icing. Yum.

Thankfully this cake is a weight watchers recipe because we also made caramel slice. I think I have put on 5kgs just by inhaling the smell of the cooking caramel and the chocolate topping.

I am sure the two will balance each other out. Or perhaps they cancel each other out.

Today's Harvest - Friday 28th May 2010

It's definitely no longer summer. We have the ugg boots on (even during the day) and an extra quilt on the bed. It has rained for the last 3 weeks and the day time temperature is around the 20oC mark (or a bit below).


If it wasn't for the rain preventing me from getting into the garden more, I think we would still be really productive. Who would have thought I'd have tomatoes ripening on the vine at the end of May (this is my second crop planted at the end of summer).

Here is my harvest today:



3 x eggs
3 x beetroot
5 x radish (1 x purple and 4 x white)
Lots of tomatoes (I try to pick them as they start to ripen to prevent the bugs getting to them).
As well as some greens and herbs for lunch and dinner.

Earth Hour 2010

Just a very quick post as we prepare to turn off our lights (and power points) for Earth Hour.

I don't think I need to talk about what Earth Hour is about. What I want to do is show my support and add my voice to the many others participating.

So, how many others are joining in for Earth Hour and what are you doing in that time?

We are going to sit by candle light and chat. Things have been super busy this week and it will be nice spending time together.

For more information, check out the Earth Hour web site.

Lemon Iced Tea

I have been experimenting with iced tea lately. I love the Lipton Lemon Iced Tea but I don't want to be drinking so many unnecessary ingredients. (Mainly too much sugar!)

Here is the recipe I am using at the moment:

4 tea bags
1 cup of boiling water
3 and a bit cups of room temperature water
1/2 tbsp honey
3 or 4 tsp lemon juice

1. Steep the teabags in the boiling water for about 4 mins.
2. Remove tea bags and stir in honey til dissolved.
3. Add tea mixture to a 1L jug and add remaining water and lemon juice
4. Chill tea and serve with lots of ice, a slice of lemon and some mint.

Easy! And a lot cheaper than the bottles I have been buying.