Jams and preserves

One thing that few people know about me is that I like to make my own jams and preserves. I grow a lot of my own food, and jams and preserves are a great way to use surpluses at the end of the season.

This photo shows some of my recent efforts: there's my old reliable green tomato relish, my berry and rhubarb jam, tangy strawberry jam, a new one I can't wait to try, spicy tomato and ginger jam, and my three fruit marmalade (lemon, lime and kumquot).

So, for a little context, here is how my home garden currently grows:

Vegetables: Asparagus (green and purple), snow peas, broad beans, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, capsicum, pumpkin, cucumber, onions, sometimes potatoes. In winter I also grow broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage - all with mixed success. Winter vegetable gardening is a pretty new thing for me, and with Canberra's frosts you need to know what you're doing.

Fruit: Lemons, limes, kumquots, peaches, nectatines, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, feijoa, rhubarb (although that's not really a fruit is it? But we use it like one).

Herbs: Parsley, corriander, tarragon, marjarom, basil, rosemary, dill, chervil, mint, sage, thyme, oregano, aloe vera and a Bay tree (the last two aren't really herbs, I know, but where else to group them?) I used to have chives but they've disappeared - must plant some more as they go really well with scrambled eggs.

Now let's talk about the jams. I found a great way of making jams thanks to the Australian Women's Weekly - use the microwave! It makes it so much easier to avoid burning it. You basically cook up your fruit with any juices, then mix in your roughly equal portion of sugar and heat again until it's all disssolved, then bottle it up. Voila!

My favourite is the tangy strawberry jam. It comes straight from the Women's Weekly microwave recipe book. I make versions of it with other berries and rhubarb, and I also make a rhubarb jam which is delicious too.

The green tomato relish comes from a recipe someone gave me years ago. You chop up all the tomatoes left on your vines that have yet to ripen, cook them up on the stove top with malt vinegar and apple cider with some onion and a few other vegies (I always use carrots and celery) and some other condiments (I always add some sultanas, and usually a bay leaf whilst cooking), and of course a truckload of brown sugar, then - voila! A really yummy relish that goes well with any sort of cold meat on a sandwich or, my favourite, with some strong vintage cheese and crackers with a glass of wine.

Recently tried my hand at preserving asparagus - not sure how that will turn out yet. We'll know in a few months I guess...

Afternoon tea review: NGV Tea Room

I always try to have my birthday off work if it's at all possible. This year I managed to swing not just 1 but 3 days. Tom and I will be having 2 days in Melbourne and then 2 days in the beautiful Yarra Valley. Top of the agenda is eating. I am quite looking forward to it!

Today is the first day of the special long, long weekend, and I was lucky to spend a delightful afternoon with one of my favourite people in one of my favourite places. My friend Anna is a children's writer and academic whom I have known for over 20 years (we met in high school) and who lives in Melbourne. Her birthday happens to fall the day before mine, and every now and then comes an opportunity for us to celebrate our birthdays together.

I tend to shun parties in my own honour, finding it awkward to be the centre of attention. I have only ever had two birthday parties in my life: my 6th birthday party was not a great success (as you will deduce from the attached photograph at left which commerorates that day). The only other birthday party I ever had was a joint 18th birthday party with Anna. In those days we had many joint friends, and both of us thought that having a joint party would take the spotlight (and the pressure) of each of us as individuals. It was held at a restaurant in Canberra now closed but which I still remember for its lovely desserts. Anyway, that birthday party was a great success. We were chuffed that everyone we invited actually came, and even more chuffed that we both, surprisingly, had a good time.

But back to the present day. Today Anna and I had afternoon tea at the NGV tea room, with browsing at the NGV bookstore before and after (of course) and capped off with a glass of wine at La Vite Buona, a lovely wine bar which makes you feel like you're in a musty French cellar (but in a good way!).

Now, I just love the idea of tea rooms in cultural institutions, but sadly they are so often disappointing affairs with no elegance whatsoever. They are usually uninspiring, over lit, sterile feeding pens with overpriced bain marie slop and dreadful chairs dragging constantly over bare floor surfaces. Many of these places feel as inviting as the cafeteria at IKEA, but without the lovely Dime cake you can at least get at the otherwise soulless IKEA cafe. And usually no one knows how to make a cup of tea in these 'tea rooms' of the modern day cultural institution (I note that apparently in England there are many good tea rooms and even champagne lounges in cultural institutions; that is not generally so here in the colonies).

I am delighted to report that the NGV tea room is quite refreshingly elegant, yet understated. It is a proper, modern tea room - not a cafeteria nightmare.

We had a seat right on the balcony edge, so we could peer and sneer at the comings and goings in the lobby below with the lovely water wall providing a restful backdrop. The only gripe about the setting was that the seats were just far too low and deep - a common sin.

The tea room does offer a three tier platter but we decided instead to just order a couple of plates of sandwiches and a small petit four each. This proved to be an excellent idea. The sandwiches, whilst a little expensive for what they were, really were quite delicious and creative. The selection of teas was very satisfactory. The petit fours were delicious, but it was very hard to decide what to have from such a tempting selection.

The NGV tea room proved a great location for a relaxing cuppa and catch up with an old friend, with very good food. Service was friendly, if a little bit patchy at times. Those uncomfortable seats though were not a delight, and it was a bit pricey. Overall, it gets a seal of approval with 7 out of 10 on the Scott Scale.

The picture below shows some of the food and tea ware. And Anna's leg - you can see how impractically low both the lounge and the table are. But the food looks, and was, good.

Afternoon tea review: Gooromon Park, Hall

Surprisingly nearby to Canberra there are many delightful rural areas full of rolling hill vistas, boutique wineries, and gourmet food providores and cafes. Each time I venture into the countryside, which is not very often, I vow to see more of the local region, to try all of the local wines, to eat all of the wonderful seasonal produce. Did you know that the Canberra region is one of the main truffle producing areas in Australia? That it is famous for its cold climate ones, notably Riesling and pinot noir? It's so easy not to appreciate how much there is so close to where one lives. But, then again, there are only so many hours in a weekend (48), and it can be hard to find the time to enjoy the local countryside by the time one tends to one's own gardening and household chores, reading of the weekend newspapers, grocery shopping and cooking up the forthcoming week's supply of soups and casseroles, occasional socialising and family duties (this weekend was my father's 60th birthday party; my sister and her husband, who live in Goulburn, hosted a really lovely surprise birthday for him).

Also this weekend, however, Tom and I found time in our hectic schedules to take the 20 minute drive out to Hall, which is a very pretty area of rolling hills so close to Canberra you can (unfortunately) see the western suburbs from some spots. I had wanted to take afternoon tea at the Homestead Cafe at Gooromon Park for some time now, and fixed that now was the time for us to wile away an afternoon on the veranda of a country cottage and enjoy some homemade delights.

Well, we did not book early enough for the veranda, and the popular parlour was booked for a (what else?) hen's night afternoon tea, so we just had a seat in the regular cafe. The house is an old weatherboard, relocated from Canberra. The whole place has a quite nice rustic, but not twee, feel about it.

The food was really good, especially the sandwiches which were delicious (so often overlooked) and the savoury snacks. The sweets were all very nice too of course, as was the complimentary glass of champagne. The tea selection could have, in my opinion, been a little better, but I'm not really complaining about it - it's just that they could offer a little more choice of nicer teas for not really much more money; say, a selection from T2 or The Tea Centre in Canberra. In many settings, I would not have found the floral china to be charming, but in this setting it was. It was a very relaxing afternoon in the country, with good food. I therefore happily recommend high tea at the Homestead Cafe.

On the Scott Scale, it gets a solid 7.5 out of 10, which would be an 8 with better tea. That puts them on equal footing with the Ritz-Carlton in Singapore.

Redwoods in Canberra?

I was pretty fascinated to read in a recent Tim the Yowie Man article in the Canberra Times that there was an experimental grove of redwood trees planted in Canberra, just near the airport (which is actually where I work). I have driven past these trees many times and never really noticed them, thinking they were an abandoned pine forest. Apaprently, they are the remnants of a failed attempt to create a redwood forrest that was planted on the instructions of none other than Walter Burley Griffin.

When we were in San Francisco a few years back we did a day trip to the Muir Woods and I found these trees so powerful - the way the light tentatively dappled through their high branches, and their towering, silent presence. Instinct suggests that the Canberra climate would be far too dry for these beautiful, ancient giants. Canberra may be cool in summer but it is nothing like the wet Pacific north west of the US and Canada where these trees are from.

Turns out, instinct is correct. The trees have made a valiant effort but they are slowly dying from lack of water and heat stress. Apparently much of the original forest has been destroyed for airport expansion.

Still, walking through what remains is a peaceful experience. Although they are adjacent to the airport and a busy road, something about these trees wraps you up in a cocoon of quiet reflection. The light does dabble through the branches. It is such a shame they could not be saved, but one does get the feeling their days are probably numbered.

This picture comes from the Redwood Grove Park. I highly recommend a visit if you're driving past some time - it is a very peaceful place.

Bumper pumkin crop

Very pleased with the harvest from my two Australian butter pumpkin vines this autumn - three huge pumpkins and eight smaller ones. There will be plenty of delicious pumpkin soup this winter!

Elizabeth Taylor

Sad news today that Elizabeth Taylor - truly the last of the great movie stars - has died aged 79 after many years of illnesses.

I thought she was astonishingly beautiful in her heyday, and not a bad actress despite making many not so great films - but in her good films she really was terrific. I loved her in National Velvet, Jane Eyre, Suddenly Last Summer and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Even in her lesser films she was always good.

She was so glamorous but seemed to have a wonderful earthy and self-deprecating sense of humour - in interviews she was always witty and seemed not to take herself too seriously.

Yes, she had that soap opera life with all the marriages, the illnesses and near death experiences, and all those diamonds she collected. But she also did much fine and pioneering work for AIDS research, and by all accounts she was kind, generous, loyal and very funny person in her private life.

With her dying, there are no more real movie stars left.

Afternoon tea review: Mint Hotel, Manchester

We stayed for a couple of nights at the simple but lovely Mint Hotel and enjoyed their surprisingly good (not to mention good value) afternoon tea. They had a lovely selection of sandwiches, nice scones, and nice, not too heavy cakes. The Piccadilly Lounge is a lovely place for people watching.

It gets a solid 8.5 out of 10 on the Scott Scale.

That makes my current rankings look like this:

1. Peninsula Hong Kong 9.5/10

2. Lovejoy's San Francisco 9/10

3. Mint Hotel Manchester 8/5/10

4. Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong 8/10

4. Westin Melbourne 8/10

6. Ritz-Carlton Singapore 7.5/10

7. Four Seasons Hong Kong 7/10

7. Hyatt Hotel Canberra 7/10

7. Langham Place Hong Kong 7/10

7. Regent Singapore 7/10

7. Sheraton on the Park Sydney 7/10

7. Swissotel The Howard London 7/10

Afternoon tea review: Swissotel London

Just back from a whirlwind European trip. We had a lovely time but of course now I am struggling with the post-holiday blues (for which apparently the only cure is to book another holiday). We went to Singapore, London, Winchester, Manchester, Berlin and Amsterdam. We spent most of our time in Berlin. I had never been to Europe in Winter before. It was quite cold!

I did of course manage a couple of afternoon teas. Tom and I met with his sister Christina, who has been living in Switzerland the past few years, at Swissotel the Howard hotel in London on a chilly afternoon for afternoon tea. We had their traditional tea but on reflection I think we should have had their special TL afternoon tea, which includes fun little cakes in the shape of London icons such as Big Ben (see picture).

The weather was perfect for indulging in tea and scones. We also had sandwiches and pastries. I thought the cakes and scones were very good and I enjoyed the tea. I thought the sandwiches were a bit dull. The Mauve Bar is quite nice, but I found the chairs to be far too low.

Overall, it gets a 7 out of 10 on the Scott scale.

Springtime in Curtin

So, for context, Curtin is the Canberra suburb where we live.

Today I planted some dwarf lemons and a cumquat in some pots on the back terrace. I also took a few other photos of our garden, which after all the recent rain in looking great.

Springtime in Canberra

Spring has certainly sprung in the national capital and the weather is glorious.

This weekend Tom and I went over to Lake Burley Griffin where we walked along the promenade and were delighted by this couple of black swans with their cygnets. We then went to see a very interesting exhibition contrasting east and west German architecture post-WWII at the Gallery of Australian Design. It was full of fascinating photos, plans and models and highlighted the similar approaches taken in both of the then nations to housing as well as commercial, leisure, cultural, civic and other public architecture and town planning.

We then walked over to have a look at the much anticipated, much delayed and now just newly opened National Gallery 'front door' and Indigenous art galleries. I must say I'm not quite sure how sympathetic the additions to the building are from the outside (you can judge for yourself from the pictures - don't you think all that glass somehow cheapens the uncompromising concrete brutality of the original?), but there is no question that the interior improvements are fantastic - several, huge new Indigenous art galleries, a much better shop, a more lobby-like entrance space. Overall, I think it is a big improvement - from the inside. I do however loathe their hideous 'new' retro '80s NGA logo - it's cheap and vile.

After a browse in the Portrait Gallery bookshop across the road (absurdly small and poky - was it an afterthought?), and some tut-tutting about the disgraceful state of disrepair of the outdoor spaces around the shamefully neglected High Court, we drove over to Yarralumla Nursery to buy some plants for the garden.

First produce of the season

Great excitement today as I picked my first bunch of asparagus for the year.

These are truly amazing plants, cropping for over 20 years. We have four plants in the backyard. They are so productive that by December we'll almost be sick of the taste of asparagus, but then there are so many things you can do with it - steamed, blanched, in a soup, baked in quiche or pie (it goes well with chicken), cold in salads, grilled on the BBQ.

I'll fry these in some butter and serve them with pepper and Parmesan cheese tonight.

Asian high tea (kind of)

This past weekend Tom and I went to Melbourne, which is always a nice thing to do (I still miss living there, I must admit).

We stayed with Tom's parents in East Melbourne, near to my old flat in Richmond and we had a walk around Bridge Road and down to the Gleadell Street Markets. I bought a couple of Chinese boxes that I had been eyeing off for over a year (I bought them as a birthday present to myself, with my birthday being later this week). We also saw a movie at the Palace Como and had a nice Japanese dinner at the great restaurant across the road, just like old days :)

Over the weekend we also went to the Oriental Tea House in South Yarra, which is a nice place to get a late night yum cha or practically any kind of fancy tea you might need. There were having an Oriental style high tea, in which we partook. It was basically a selection of savoury and sweet dim sum with tea. It was quite nice although somehow not quite as special as I'd hoped.

Sydney photos

Weekend in Sydney

Recently I had a few days in Sydney for work and stayed for the weekend. I decided to try afternoon tea at the Stamford Circular Quay. I kept my expectations low, given that hotel teas in Australia are often disappointing. I had planned (for some years actually) to try afternoon tea at the Harrogate Tea Room in Pyrmont, but much to my consternation I discovered they'd closed their tea shop. Vexed but not defeated, I tried the Stamford (as I happened to be staying there anyway).

I am pleased to report that it surpassed my low expectations, and was even pleasant. It is held in the very old fashioned style bar in the heritage part of the hotel (think gentleman's club - fireplace, smoky mirrors, leather chesterfields etc). The food was actually quite well chosen - the sandwiches (always a barometer for me) were interesting, and there were some little hot things too. The tea itself was quite interesting too - they use a brand called Ronnefelt, German and available only the the hospitality industry. I had oolong and it was very nice indeed. I was able to spend an hour or so there nibbling away and sipping as I read the paper by myself and I found it all very relaxing.

The next day I caught a very over to Balmain, whence I had never been before. I had planned to visit the famous Adriano Zumbo, allegedly an Australian version of Pierre Herme (apparently the former being a protege of the latter) - and having experienced one of the jaw droppingly beautiful Paris outlets of Pierre Herme, where macaroons are displayed in jewellery cases, I had been looking forward to visiting Adriano Zumbo for quite a few years (ever since I read this article). Unfortunately, when I got there I saw what looked like a Depression-ere breadline outside the store. The macaroons may be heaven-sent, and I do like a good macaroon, but I'll never know because I am not about to line up for them no matter how good.

I did however enjoy a lovely perambulation along Darling Street from Balmain to Rozelle, enjoying two flea markets and a lovely book fair on the way (plus I got a coffee and a rather good eclair from another, less popular patisserie down the road), and eventually found my way to Norton Street where I saw a film (The Farewell Affair, and quite it was too) and browsed Berkelouw's before catching the light rail back into town - the first time I had ever caught the Sydney tram. It was quite good - why they are taking so long to expand the line further west and around the CBD is anyone's guess.

All in all, a very pleasant Sydney diversion.

Darwin

Another place I visited recently for work was Darwin.

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that, like a good many Australians of my age, I have seen much more of the world than I have of my own backyard, and I had never been to the Northern Territory before this trip. I had fairly low expectations of intolerable humidity and rednecks. It was humid, and there was a bit of redneckness too, but actually it was all quite charming and overall people, whilst ocker, were very laid back and friendly. I was pleasantly surprised to say that I quite enjoyed myself.

This photo (from the internet, not from my camera) comes from the Crocosauraus Cove tourist attraction in the middle of town. As I only had a small amount of time to sightsee (I was there for work after all), I asked the locals for advice on what to see and they recommended this place and the NT Museum and Gallery. They were good recommendations. The gallery/museum is very good and its highlight is a large exhibit on Cyclone Tracey including a terrifying darkroom with surround-sound effects of what the cyclone was like.

As for the 'cove' , it was much better than I thought. It has enclosures for a number of large, retired crocodiles, many of whom had been relocated as a result of having become too aggressive in their old age at other tourist parks. There are also a large number of hatchlings and juveniles there too (I'm not sure what happens to them as they grow, but suspect the handbags in the gift shop have something to do with it), and there is a very good reptile house where I spent quite a bit of time. There is also a lot of information about crocodilians and even a film on Darwin's history. I learnt a lot about the Indigenous people of Darwin, who apparently were welcoming of white settlers and had a very different relationship with Europeans than was the case in most other parts of the country.

But the highlight of the place is this glass enclosure where you can see the crocodiles from every angle and, for an exorbitant additional fee, you can be lowered into their enclosures to have a close encounter with them. Several rather gung-ho blokes did this during my visit. They were very disappointed to find that none of the 5 crocs were remotely interested in them - they would not move or even look at the so-called 'cage of death'. They did not respond to noises, splashing or any other desperate attempts for attention. It was all rather amusing.

Broken Hill

And now, for the belated start to my promised travelogue.

I was in Broken Hill for the first time a couple of months ago. I was there on a work assignment and had no idea what to expect of the place, my impressions of it basically formed by having seen 'Wake in Fright' and knowing that it was the birthplace of BHP.

From Canberra, it took me 3 flights in tiny aircraft via Sydney and Dubbo to get to Broken Hill. I was fascinated as I flew further over the Far West to see the land changing to that distinctive orange-red colour, and the huge expanses of land with long, straight roads on them. There had been much rain in the area before I was there and we flew over the Menindee lakes, which was quite fascinating. As we approached Broken Hill I look down at the red earth and saw the shadow of the plan and was reminded of the opening sequences from the TV show 'The Flying Doctors'. I thought of an article I had read some years ago about a German man who had watched that show in Germany and decided not only to study medicine as a result of being inspired by that show, but also ended up migrating to Australia and working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service! Imagine my surprise when I arrived at the quaint, security unconscious Broken Hill Airport to find on display out front the carcass of the aeroplane that was used in the TV show - I had forgotten that it was actually filmed in Broken Hill.

My immediate impressions of the place were that it was actually very fascinating - that red dirt, and that attractive desert tundra sort of green-grey plant that grows everywhere; the beauty of the grand old buildings contrasted with the fascinating ugliness of the old mine that dominates the centre of town, actually bisecting it; and of course the very friendly people.

I was there for one night and spent most of my time working, but after work I went for a swim in one of the best swimming pools I have seen (and one of the cheapest - only $2 for a swim in the desert! - and again the friendliness; I had forgotten my swimmers so they found a pair in the lost property for me to wear...). At night I went to the very nice Broken Earth restaurant, located on top of the old mine and with spectacular sunset views all over town. Later I had a drink at one oif the very many large pubs in town and chatted with some of the amiable locals.

The next day after work on my way home I was able to check out South Broken Hill with its beautifully preserved main street including intact 1950s shops and milk bar.

It was a great place to visit and I would hope to go back some day.

Rue McClanahan dies

And then there was one – Betty White is the last remaining Golden Girl with the death of the fabulous Rue McClanahan.

Blanche was my favourite Golden Girl , and Rue McClannahan so clearly loved playing the part, often saying of the part for which she was most famous ‘People always ask me if I’m like Blanche, and I tell them that Blanche was a vain, self-absorbed mankiller from Atlanta, and I’m not from Atlanta.’

Last year I read Rue’s autobiography, and thoroughly enjoyed it – the title alone (My First Five Husbands) tells you that you are going to be in for a great read, and that is what it is. She writes with frankness and candour as though she’s chatting with a girlfriend and even rates her (many) lovers on an excitement scale.

Here is a classic Blanche moment from The Golden Girls:

Afternoon tea review: Rydges Capital Hill

Something fascinating has happened in Canberra: after years of the Hyatt reigning unchallenged as the monarch of afternoon tea in the Capital, the nearby Rydges Capital Hill has decided to serve a 'high tea' every Sunday. It's really an afternoon tea of course (and you do know the difference I'm sure), but nevertheless how exciting to have a bit of competition. Although the 1980s Rydges atrium is not quite on a par with the elegant 1920s Hyatt lounge, I thought the venue at least had potential to be a charming place for tea. So along we went to try it out.

Now, I must say that we went along on only their second weekend, so they may still have kinks to iron out (well, they do have kinks to iron out). And there are some positives: unlike the buffet-style Hyatt, they serve tea on a traditional three-tier platter. You sit in a proper chair at a proper table, which makes it all far more comfortable than being forced to sit akwardly in a deep sofa. The room is potentially quite pleasant, although it was a little chilly and the mismatched china (soon to be replaced I was informed) and the ghastly, overly loud and utterly inappropriate waltz music on a sticking CD booming through a dodgy sound system really did not help.

The food - at best it was pedestrian, I'm afraid, although pleasant enough for the less discerning and/or those more interested in the sweets than the savouries. The sandwiches were predictable (cucumber, egg and smoked salmon, all on white bread), and the scones were horrible (tiny and hard), but there were also some agreeable mini quiche and some pleasant petit fours.

Tea selection was minimal but adequate.

For $40 there was also a complimentary glass of (very sweet) sparkling wine.

Service was enthusiastic yet tardy.

Overall, I think it has promise, but it needs to work on it a bit. For now, it is a 5.5 out of 10 on the Scott Scale. They could aim for a 7 or 8 if they work at it.

Falcon Crest

I have just received my DVD copy of the first season of one of the best (and funniest) nighttime soaps - I speak of course of Jane Wyman's latter day triumph, Falcon Crest.

I am absolutely loving this early episodes of this great show - whoever thought that wine making could provide so much material for a melodrama (nine seasons worth).

I just hope that Warner Brothers continues to release the subsequent seasons, unlike Knots Landing which has had only a pathetic two seasons released.

Different types of tea rooms

With all of my talk about afternoon tea I have been rather neglectful of a different kind of tea room that has been emerging in Australia - that is, the Asian-style team room serving cold tea drinks that make the most perfect refreshment on a hot summer afternoon.

I recently discovered Ten-Ren's Tea Cafe (there are two of them, seemingly identical, opposite each other in Swanston Street). So far I have tried their kumquat green tea, watermelon green tea and plum green tea. My favourite is the kumquat. These cold drinks are absolutely delicious on a hot day. Next time I will try one of their cold milk tea drinks. I also love the no-nonsense decor of the cafes which feel just like they have been plucked right out of a bustling Hong Kong side street.

Iced teas are perfect for a summer afternoon. I make my own black iced tea at home by simply filling a container with cold water and putting in some of my favourite black tea leaves and leaving overnight. I then serve it poured over ice the following afternoon with a bit of fresh lemon or lime. I never add any sugar.