Boots
Image: My work boots! When I was dismantling the kitchen in a rush before the builders arrived, I dropped a cupboard on my big toe. It hurt like hell and I realised that if I was going to fit my own kitchen and tackle all the carpentry in the cottage, I needed some decent work boots. I eventually found some in my tiny size in southern Ireland at a bargain price. They are brilliant, heavy soled stomping boots that have saved my delicate toes over the last few months. While I was thinking about my work boots I remembered another much more...
read moreRepairs at the Cottage Smallholder HQ – Part Two
Image: Pushkin in the kitchen “Well have you got the first cabinets in place?” It was Pete the plumber on the phone.“They’re in the kitchen but so heavy. They don’t fit the wall which is wonky.”“Expected!” When I was ripping out the kitchen Pete had dropped by“I want to help you fit the kitchen. I fitted my own one.”I was delighted but realised that if I accepted Pete’s offer I would be under The Rule of Pete It had taken me a couple of days to strip out the old kitchen and fix the plumbing so it was still...
read moreRed Pepper and Chilli Jam Recipe
Image – Red Pepper Garlic and Chilli Jam When I visit Seraphina on the Isle of Wight I always fit in a trip to The Garlic Farm. They have a good restaurant and a wonderful little shop packed full of foodie delights, and of course garlic in all its forms. This is where I had my first taste of their Red Pepper, Garlic and Chilli Jam. I put two jars straight in my basket. My Red Pepper, Garlic and Chilli Jam is inspired by their delicious savoury jam. It is such a versatile preserve – spread on oatcakes with a little cheese on...
read moreThe Best Ever Veggie Burger
Image: Best Ever Veggie Burger I have yet to meet a true carnivore that doesn’t love these burgers. Initially their faces fall politely but within a munch they are grinning with relief. And that’s the point -meat eaters often think that veggie stuff will be bland and just too ‘vegetable -y’. They also worry that veggie food will not give them enough protein to sustain them. Actually these burgers pack a protein punch. They also combine a significant amount of the veg for the day. Apart from this, they are absolutely...
read moreRepairs at the Cottage Smallholder HQ – Part One
Image of the kitchen “The cottage is not fit for human habitation. It’s freezing cold and very damp. There is only cold running water, and that’s just from the tap in the kitchen. You just can’t come home!” This was my plumber, Pete “So what’s new. It’s been cold and damp for years. I’m coming back.”After a very long pause he replied“Well bring a torch. You won’t have electricity in every room.” Pete is a glass half empty kind of guy. He’s in his seventies. Everything is a problem, he is an expert...
read morePeppers stuffed with a versatile Veal, Mushroom and Tarragon Sauce
Simple lunch in the sunny garden I make a lot of Italian style sauces. To accompany pasta, stuff vegetables and even to top with mashed spuds for a comforting supper. I also make a more traditional filling for shepherd’s and cottage pies. All these sauces and fillings are made in large batches frozen in flat one portion sizes that can be defrosted in minutes in a saucepan. Until yesterday all the Italian style sauces that I made were tomato based. Everything changed when I scored 500g of high welfare veal mince for a song on...
read more13th Cottage Smallholder Blog Anniversary
The Little Red Hen + Mrs Grey Lacey I can’t believe that it has been 13 years since I made the first post on this blog. So much has happened in the world since then! I can remember that day so clearly. It was one of those chilly, rainy August days. The backdoor was firmly closed and Danny made a spicy smoked fish chowder. Of course the star of the post was not the soup but The Contessa – the little Min Pin Prima Donna who is still sadly missed. Quite often at the Vets we would be called to the consulting room with the one...
read moreCan it be recycled? Does it come in pink?
Gudrun Sjoden sun hat A few years ago an old friend was talking about replacing her bicycle. She had just returned from a trip to Holland and wanted to replace it with the sort of Dutch bike that she’d ridden in Amsterdam. She spat out the drawbacks of her present bike and finally topped the list of reasons with the condemning cry,“And it’s pink!”“I rather like the colour pink.”“It’s embarrassing. Who wants to be seen on a pink bike?” Personally, I’d love a pink bike! I was secretly amused by this conversation as...
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