A RIGHT ROYAL RECIPE!

Beautiful Shortbread

We were talking recently about a good recipe for Scottish Shortbread, which just happens to be one of my favorites. It only took 2 seconds for me to suggest a recipe given to our family by a lovely Scots woman named Esmae, who had emigrated to NZ some 40 years ago.

Esmae suggested we remember her name by repeating "Es mae hat on my heid"  and she and husband Jim and their Daughters hailed from Aberdeenshire and had emigrated to New Zealand.. Jim was a great boss and friend and we got along well, especially with my own Scots heritage being the catalyst for many interesting conversations. They both had lovely Scots accents and unlike some of my Glaswegian friends were easily understood!

Balmoral Castle

One day I was hanging up a new calendar in my office and it just happened to be a lovely scenic annual from a famous Scottish whisky distillery who we represented in New Zealand. The first photo was of Balmoral Castle and Jim excitedly commented "Och! That's the gardens I used to work on back home!" and it transpired that while Jim was busy working on the flower beds, Esmae was a skilled cook, who worked in the kitchens. They apparently had a cottage on the estate and had enjoyed the years they worked for the Royal Family and spoke about the many interesting things that had happened, (without of course divulging any scandal!)

The O'Brien shortbread stamp

When I spoke to Esmae one evening at a function, she said that as we had been discussing our favourite baking delights in an earlier conversation, would we like Her Majesty, The Queen Mother's favourite shortbread recipe. "I certainly would" I exclaimed delightedly and sure enough, three days later, a handwritten recipe was delivered to my desk with her compliments. Lyn has been baking this delicious recipe ever since and after I resigned from the company and bought a Coffee Lounge/Lunch Bar, it became a firm favourite of our customers. To enhance the finished product, we were given as a present a wooden stamp in the shape of a Scottish Thistle and this made the final baked delight look just so perfect!

Here is the Recipe that was so loved by the Late Queen Mother (who lived to 101 years of age) .. Surely a recommendation in it's own right!

HM THE LATE QUEEN MOTHER'S PERSONAL FAVOURITE SHORTBREAD RECIPE

8oz Butter (227g)

4oz Caster Sugar (113g)

10oz flour (275g)

2oz corn flour (56.70g)

Pinch of salt

METHOD

Cream butter and sugar well, add sifted dry ingredients. Knead well, roll out fairly thick (1/2" - 3/4"), cut into pieces, place on cold, greased trays, prick with fork and bake 20 mins at 160c.

A favourite of the Queen Mother

Then ration them out and make the lucky recipient stand to attention, while eating this wonderful Royal Heirloom!

Enjoy!

ANZAC DAY MUSINGS 2013

John Simpson @ Gallipoli

Anzac Day falls on the 25th of April and is one of those days when I reflect on what our relatives and friends did during the major conflicts around the world. I think of those friends I have met in my travels as a customs agent and business representative, especially in the Military and the many Returned Services Association clubs I have been involved in over a period of 50+ years. I was a member of a Regimental Pipe Band for nearly 3 1/2 decades and was delighted to receive a medal this year for my Army service as a Territorial soldier. My first full parade in uniform was on Anzac Day where we marched in two parades on the North Shore in Auckland and I have written previously about this time (Lest we forget )….. http://briansbash.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/lest-we-forget.html

I have always enjoyed the company of elderly servicemen and women who were involved in WW2 and I have a large collection of books on the subject. As a family we have read of our relatives who died on the battlefield and also those who were fortunate to return to New Zealand, not many are still alive and I venerate those who are.

Grandad from a sketch

Over the years, I have used the period around Anzac Day to pore over old photos of relatives photos or documents outlining their war service and I have always felt a huge amount of sympathy for what they must have endured not only during the war, but on their return. I have vivid memories of my Maternal Granddad, coughing violently, the result of being gassed at Mons in WW1. Although he was a serious cigarette smoker, this prior damage to his lungs, probably led to his early death, mainly of emphysema. (The Graphic sketch was drawn by his son Rick Ramsey)

This year I had a couple of experiences that made me think of Anzac Day or Remembrance Day, but two in particular struck a chord with me and I will share them. An article in the NZ Herald about a WW2 Veteran grabbed my attention as I had known one of the 94 year old soldiers personally. Major Watty MacEwan had been instrumental in the formation of our civilian pipe band becoming associated with the NZ Army. He was a Regular army officer who had served with General Freyberg at El Alamein and had been a participant at the famous break-out at Minquar Quaim, when the New Zealanders drove through the German lines to escape being captured. ( I have met a number of men who have described hair raising stories about this episode) 

Pipes & Drums Anzac Day 1981

Our band which was known officially as "The Band, The 1st Divisional Signals Regiment (Pipes and Drums) Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals. (This title was approved by the NZ Army Board in Oct 1957) … Needless to say, we shortened it to the Signals Pipes & Drums. Major MacEwan also became our liaison for the annual "Freedom of the Borough of Howick" parade which marched through the main streets of Howick each year. The Charter was a very fancy parchment document which was read out by the Mayor and contained the paragraph " … the right and privilege, without further permission, in full dress uniform carrying weapons with bayonets fixed, drums beating, band playing, colours flying, and swords drawn  ..etc… We then marched to the RSA for an excellent afternoon of further entertainment and a wonderful meal. (I am not sure if this parade is still held) Watty MacEwan is apparently in poor health, but his motto "never give up" has held him in good stead over many years.

The article in the NZ Herald is here>>. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10879167

Malta G.C Award

My Second recent experience relates to a visit to Whangarei Hospital to visit my Mother in Law who has been suffering some health difficulties. In the bed opposite Margaret was a 90 year old, white haired lady who had been born in Turkey and was able to discuss Turkish events with my Sister in Law who has recently returned from living in Turkey for a decade. This lady (Norah) asked me to pass some magazines over and we started to have a discussion. I greeted her with "Salaam Alaikum" which I knew was a traditional form of greeting and her eyes immediately lit up as she replied "Alaikum Salaam". As we talked she explained that although born in Istanbul, she had lived for a long time on Malta and was there through the terrible bombing they endured during WW2. Her stories of being driven underground to the catacombs for weeks on end and the lack of food and deprivation for a long period of time, made me realise just how luck we had been, living so far away. She told of having scabies and sore that wouldn't heal because of the lack of medication and the awful sight of her school friends bodies being recovered from the bombed out ruins of their homes. Malta was at one stage the most bombed place on earth. She had married a Royal Navy man who was a young Signaler and they finally emigrated to New Zealand. I could have talked for hours, but I could see that this wonderful lady was becoming tired, so I made my farewells and left her in peace. (I have heard that she has returned home to her own house)

I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to meet both these heroes and I only wish that we as a society take every opportunity to write down storied from this fading generation. Soon it will be too late! I hope to attend Anzac Day in Waipu, however the knees are still waiting to be surgically repaired and my marching leaves a lot to be desired these days. Needless to say, I will be up early and will be savouring every TV link to our various Anzac Ceremonies, here and overseas.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM … LEST WE FORGET.

I LOVE AUTUMN!

Autumn Delight

QUOTE:

 If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before.

Mitchell Burgess, Northern Exposure, Thanksgiving, 1992

Main Street Arrowtown

I love Autumn! The cool clear air, the warm, but not too hot sun and the wonderful kaleidoscope of leaf colours is  a wonder to behold. The nights start drawing in and many of our birds are busy looking for nice sheltered spots. I don't miss the intense heat of summer or the humid nights that sometime make sleeping very difficult. The noisy crickets and mosquitoes are still annoying any bare skin, but our recent rain will probably fill all the cracks in the soil and reduce the cricket population. At least the hot summer drought has meant few paper wasps to be seen and that has been a small bonus. The beach crowds are starting to disappear  and we don't have to queue for milk at the supermarket or struggle to find parking in our village. I notice that on the weekends the traffic heading back to the city has a lot of caravans and boats being towed back home, so we will hopefully start returning to normality.

A peaceful lake

And what about that beautiful clear sky! We have been told many times that New Zealand enjoys some of the least polluted air in the world and Autumn is certainly proof that on a clear day, you can just see forever! There are numerous parts of America famous for their Autumn tree colours, but our own South Island has a number of Districts with wonderful golden leaf displays, such as Arrowtown and Te Anau. Unfortunately Lyn and I can't make the trip south this year, so I will just have to check out our local scenic deciduous offerings!

A country Road

Another aberration this year has been the poor quality and the small quantity of our potatoes, squash and pumpkins. We normally have loads of produce to store away in our old packhouse which is warm and dry, but this season a lot of this crop have either been very small or have developed mould on the skins already. I guess we will have start a new patch next year and let this area recover it's strength. The heifers were left to graze this plot and they have left a decent quantitiy of manure and this should help the recovery .. Saves buying fertiliser too! It is pleasing to see the persimmons ripening (must bird proof) the yellow and red tamarillos are colouring up and there are still a few raspberries to pick. The granny smith apple tree has shed an overlod of fruit, which has delighted the black birds and I have picked and stored the remaining pears and  our remaining red apple crop.

Of course Autumn is also the time when the weather can change overnight and what was a lovely sunny day on Monday can be a windy, wet day on Tuesday (like this week) This in itself can have benefits, today the regional fire ban was lifted and because of the steady rain, we are not encouraged to devote the whole day to outside pursuits and can catch up with a bit of home cooking (pie making) and planning the Winter garden layout. It is also a period of organising our home and business computers and making sure that updates are loaded and files are archived. It never ceases to amaze me how many files can accumulate in a season and unless you have plenty of spare time or are naturally a tidy person, it means a determined effort to get back to a manageable state.

Some years ago I joined an online website "Get Organised.com" and it has been a family joke that I have something like 1000 unread emails from this group! Get organised indeed!

Till next time.

(Click on Graphics to enlarge)

The Drought, Macadamia Treat, Nonchalant Norman & Prize Cappies

Dry Paddocks in Waipu

QUOTE… Drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply whether surface or underground water. We are having a drought! It hasn't rained substantially in our region (and other parts of NZ) for many months and as a lifestyle block farmer, with a small herd of animals, each day has brought it's share of worry and concern. As we are also self sufficient in most fruit and vegetables, the dry weather has also taken a toll on our gardening results and the plants have all suffered with the heat and lack of moisture. We may have to sell our stock in the next few weeks as they are running out of grass and we have exhausted our hay supply. Difficult Times!

Nothing to  mow here!

Although it has been difficult times for our bird life around the farm during the big dry, we try to keep the bird bath well watered and when I turn on the mini sprinkler system around the gardens, you can be sure there will be some flapping winged guest trying to get a cheap shower. We loved watching a family of Fantails. Mum, Dad and two little fellas frolicking under the whirling water. Unfortunately, when I checked one of our large water troughs that the heifers use, I found a dead Kingfisher in the water, who had possibly succumbed to the heat. Very Sad, as they are such lovely birds. The TV news had an item tonight on baby Kiwis who were struggling to find food and water and these nocturnal, flightless birds are wandering around in the hot sun during the day and their condition is serious.

Macadamias waiting for shelling

It has been a great season for some produce, tomatoes, grapes ,beans and peas have done well, but most of the leafy veggies, lettuce, celery etc have bolted or gone to seed very quickly and we have been reluctant to plant our Autumn crops until we see some rain although I couldn't resist an early planting of Brussels sprouts for Autumn. Our 1st crop of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries have been a welcome addition to our ice cream dessert treats and we have had a huge crop of Macadamia nuts this year. While we were in Australia last year, Sheree introduced us to a wonderful Macadamia dessert. You get a scoop of ice cream, a handful of fresh cracked Macadamia nuts and pour a small measure of Frangelico Liqueur over the top. Delissimo!! Needless to say we stocked up on duty free Frangelico an the way back!

Sun Ripened Sweetness!

Naturally with all the ripe grapes, the birds would normally be having a field day, but I have installed a mobile "Norman" and some loose bird netting that seems to be working well. Norman is a rather "laid back" bright yellow clad scarecrow who has old DVDs hanging from his arms. The DVDs move in the wind and apparently unsettles the birds who get quite nervous at the flashing light as it catches the sun. I move Norman around, so that the birds don't get used to his presence and although I was  a bit sceptical at first. It really has made a difference this year. I usually throw a few grapes around the fence, so the birds don't miss out entirely.

Nonchalant Norman!

A sad looking Fuschia

A top grade Capsicum!

One amazing item from this Summer has been the quantity and quality of our old Capsicum plants. We planted our last commercial crop some 9 years ago and these plants have had to cope with all sorts of weather, the semi destruction of the polythene roof over the years (it is almost completely off), all manner of insect pests and bird invasion and yet we still manage to pick some excellent quality produce. The trick is to beat the birds, who just love the coloured varieties and although we don't spray for any insect pests, we continue to be amazed at what these old varieties still produce. The next decent frost will almost surely see the demise of most of them and we have carefully saved some seed for next year, just in case.

My Scottish Genes are in an excited state when I realise how many thousands of dollars we spent every year digging up all the plants, sterilising the soil and then replanting a new crop each year at a cost of $1 for each seed. (we had nearly 3000 plants) You certainly "Live and Learn!"

Full of Vitamin C too

 Capsicums (or Bell Peppers in the USA) are renowned for their Vitamin C content. They are great in stir frys and stews, stuffed with a rice combo or with salami,cream cheese and avocado on a roll. The reds are delicious when roasted or after searing the skin on a BBQ. There are heaps of recipes and you will find this recipe a delicious treat, using green capsicums
.
Baked Fish with Tomatoes, Olives and Garlic Bread
http://recipefinder.msn.co.nz/article.aspx?id=727804

You can access more recipes from our Bream Bay Trader website
www.breambaytrader.com and click on the recipe link. ENJOY!

(Click the photos to enlarge)