Monday, June 25, 2012

Some Green Fun

You know I follow quite a few blogs but recently came across sister sun which this week is featuring the colour green.  I thought I would join in the fun and go through my photo's for inspiration.
Happy plant in my garden
Rain forest in Tassie
Fresh Apples  off the tree
Permaculture Garden in Brisbane
Lime cupcake anyone!
Handmade Goatsmilk soap with spearmint

Lettuce I am growing








Have a great week everyone!

Sue x









Friday, June 1, 2012

Abundance of Pears

I really love Winter in Queensland.  I love that crisp cool air in the morning.  I love the warmth of the sun during the day.  I love cuddling up on the lounge under the blanket with my grandchildren.  Of course I love cuddling up with hubby.  I love homemade soup.  (Had this last weekend).  I love all those warm winter foods. 

I was really happy while shopping last night to notice Pears were a plenty and on special at my local supermarket for $1.70 a kilo.  Plus they were Bosc Pears which are great for preserving. 

A couple of years ago when I joined the Handmade Revolution which is silently growing bigger and bigger around the world I met this wonderful lady who made Preserved Pears with Honey and Vanilla and Prunes in Port.  Love my winter foods so knew I needed to purchase these.  This winter I decided to make my own with a twist. 

At the beginning of May at work we hosted a Mothers Day High Tea.  A great success.  I was introduced to an amazing leaf tea by one of my work colleagues.  French Earl Grey Tea.  None of this tea bag stuff.  Real tea.  Now I am hooked.  Anyway I decided last night while shopping I needed to buy Pears, Pears and more Pears to make some Pears in French Earl Grey Tea with Honey and Vanilla as well as Pears in Honey and Vanilla.




Preserved Pears


This is what you need to make your Preserved Pears.



Pears ( Peel your pears and cut out the seed and stem bit.) 

You will also need a bowl of water with some lemon juice squeezed into it.  This is to place the peeled pears in as you go so your pears don't go brown.

I haven't put an amount of pears but I had just over 2 kgs and I did one batch with the tea and the other batch with water.


Anyway.......................

2 cups of water or Tea
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of Vanilla
1 heaped tablespoon of honey

Place all these in a saucepan and on low heat disolve the sugar then bring to the boil.  By the time it is boiling take some pears out of the lemon water and add to your sugar syrup.  Let it boil for about 5 minutes.

Add the pears to your sterilised jars then add the syrup. 

Once they have cooled place in your fridge and then serve with homemade Rice Pudding or what ever you desire.





Enjoy