Saturday 2 August 2014

Homespun Garden

 The Vintage Homespun 
Garden

Gardening is very therapeutic as it soothes the soul! 





Stand tall and proud
Go out on a limb
Remember your roots
Drink plenty of water
Be content with your natural beauty
Enjoy the view!




 One can unleash their inner creative ability!







Heirloom Tomato Tart with Ricotta and Basil


When made with tomatoes in a variety of colors and sizes, this elegant tomato tart becomes a showstopper on your summertime table.

Ingredients:


For the dough:


2 1/2 cups (12 1/2 oz./390 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
20 Tbs. (2 1/2 sticks) (10 oz./315 g) chilled unsalted butter, cut
  into 1/2-inch (12-mm) pieces

1/4 cup (2 fl. oz./60 ml) ice water, plus more as needed

For the filling:


2 cups (16 oz./500 g) ricotta cheese
2 cups (8 oz./250 g) grated Parmesan
2 Tbs. chopped fresh basil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 1/2 lb. (750 g) heirloom tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick
Maldon sea salt for finishing
Small basil leaves for finishing

Directions:


To make the tart dough, in the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour and salt and pulse 2 or 3 times to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the 1/4 cup (2 fl. oz./60 ml) ice water and pulse 3 or 4 times. The dough should hold together when squeezed with your fingers but should not be sticky. If it is crumbly, add more water, 1 tsp. at a time, pulsing twice after each addition. Turn the dough out onto a work surface and shape into a 5-inch (18-cm) disk. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.

Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 400°F (200°C).

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick to fit a 10 1/4-inch (26-cm) round tart pan. Press the dough into the pan and trim, leaving a 1/2-inch (12-mm) overhang around the rim. Fold in the excess dough and press it into the sides so they are thicker than the bottom. Refrigerate at least 10 minutes.


Place the tart pan on a baking sheet. Place a sheet of parchment on top of the dough and fill the pan with pie weights. Bake for 12 minutes, then remove the parchment and weights and continue baking until the crust is baked through and light golden brown, about 10 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely in the tart pan.


In a bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan and basil and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Using a small offset spatula, spread the mixture into the cooled tart shell. Top with the tomato slices and sprinkle with Maldon salt and basil leaves. Drizzle top of tomatoes with a good olive oil or garlic infused oil for extra richness. Serve immediately. Serve 8.

Williams-Sonoma Test Kitchen




 




 Roasted Rhubarb




A Bunch of Rhubarb washed, green leaves chopped off & discarded
Raw Sugar
Pure Vanilla extract
Juice of an Orange
Zest of an Orange

Cut Rhubarb stalks to approx, 4-5cm lengths & place in medium roasting dish
Sprinkle 4-5 Tbs of Raw Sugar over diced Rhubarb
Add Juice of one Orange
Add Orange zest
Drizzle with Vanilla Extract

Cover loosely with baking paper
Place in hot over
Turn down to 180 C 
(fan forced oven)

Roast for approx. 15-20 min checking after 10min

Serve with  Porridge & Yogurt for breakfast or as dessert with a scoop of  Ice-cream


Yum Yum!






"Creativity Is Contagious,
Pass It On "  
Albert Einstein

 Old Laundry Mangle gets a new lease on life



Outdoor Wall Art

Good Use of an old Comode Chair





A mix of herbs and chillies



A Bad Hair Day!





Don't Wait For Someone to Bring You Flowers, 
Plant Your Own Garden and Decorate Your Soul!





Vintage Garden Ornaments Add a Homespun Feel






 A Beautifully Restored Vintage Mickey Mouse Windmill 
Adds a Playful Welcoming Feel





A collection of vintage Willow watering cans adds character to any garden!



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