Struan Farm

Evoking Tiny Tim

I'm remembering that Tiny Tim, in Charles Dickens' classic story "A Christmas Carol" loved his plum pudding. And while that would have been the traditional English Christmas plum pudding, the one I've just made isn't quite that.

However it is seriously good! "Plum Pudding" from Natalie Oldfield's "Dulcie May Kitchen: Everyday."

Provided you've got a large tin of Black Doris plums in the pantry and a fresh lemon, this is an easy dessert to make with other ingredients on hand: sugar, flour, eggs, salt and milk. 

Tiny Tim would approve, I'm sure.

Last Gasp for the Dahlias

They're just hanging on, the dahlias in the gardens at Struan Farm! Happy to have these bursts of colour for the table, still:

 

More Scenery from Up North

Just thought I'd share with you a bit more from my recent trip up north to Kaipara. John and I were able to drive along Baylys Beach in our 4WD to Glinks Gully. We then took the road to the end of the Pouto Peninsula, and also went out to Mangawhai and Mangawhai Heads.

Yes, it's a beautiful part of the country!

Dinner on the Doorstep

I had a bit of an adventure this past weekend, with John at Baylys Beach in the Kaipara District, north of Auckland. It was meant to be a somewhat subdued birthday celebration for me, and wedding anniversary celebration for us, along with the ANZAC commemoration.

Here is the rather spectacular view from the bach where we stayed:

This beach is known as a great spot to find "tua tuas," a local shellfish, something that neither of us had tried before. So of course we took the opportunity to do so!  

 

The shellfish are meant to stay in saltwater for 24 hours before they are cooked and eaten. I steamed them in white wine, and served with butter and fresh herbs. Another option is lime juice and chile, I'm thinking perhaps coconut milk, ginger, chile and lime juice and zest would be delicious too.

Wow. It was a fresh, light, delicious dinner, right from the front doorstep. 

Lest We Forget

This past Saturday, April 25th, was both ANZAC Day here in New Zealand as well as the 100th year commemoration of the New Zealand and Australian landing at Gallipoli during the First World War.

I travelled north to Kaipara with John to attend the service in Dargaville, which had record attendance, and was quite moving. 

 

Further to the national "Call to Yarn" effort I've blogged about previously, these are hand crafted poppies made by various members of the local community to honour local servicemen and women killed in service. This was done throughout the country, what an amazing effort!