Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

Indian Cooking Class in Spice It Up

 SPICE IT UP

Indian Cooking Class

Forget those jar sauces and ready- made pastes that you can buy in supermarkets.
If you want a real curry, you’ll need to make it yourself but aren’t they complicated?

Well they can be but that’s why you need an Indian cooking class.

• Ian's spice kit is named after Christine Manfield's new cookbook called 'Indian Cooking Class.'

If you're a bit daunted by Indian recipes then would be chefs would find this very useful.
In this segment Ian takes us through what some of the most often used spices are in Indian cooking and why they are so important to Indian cuisine. 

Some of these are:

Ajowan seed

Methi or Fenugreek leaves.

Panch phora- a spice blend

Chaat masala is a spice blend containing cumin, black salt, fennel seed, amchur or green mango powder, and garam masala-(fennel,caraway, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and pepper) and Asafeotida..

Gunpowder spice blend.

• I have now tried the 'butter chicken recipe twice for this book and give a 5 star rating. As good as if not better than restaurant butter chicken.

You start off making a roux with chick pea powder and canola oil

Then marinate chicken pieces in a spice blend that is made from a ginger/garlic paste, kashmiri chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala, sea salt flakes, methi, and cardamom ground. Add the spices to yoghurt and coat the chicken, then marinate for at least 4 hours.

Butter Chicken-photos M Cannopn

Let’s find out more by listening to the podcast.
I'm talking with Ian Hemphill from www.herbies.com.au

Well now you know what some of those weird sounding spices are that are used in Indian curries.

You don’t have to buy the book and the spice kit, but it’s a way to kickstart your armchair journey to the spices and curries of India.

If you have any feedback email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

Real World Gardener Dahlia Floral Meanings and Vase Life in Talking Flowers

TALKING FLOWERS

Dahlia

Dahlias are perennials  related to sunflowers and Asters in the Asteraceae family.

Dahlias can be grown from seed, eg Pom Pom Dahlias, but mostly the large flowered varieties are grown from tubers that are sown in Autumn for Summer flowering.

Like all members of the Asteraceae family, the flower head is actually a composite with both central disc florets and surrounding ray florets. Each floret is a flower in its own right, but is often incorrectly described as a petal.

Where they came from:

The wild Dahlias originally grew in Mexico and other South American countries, primarily in mountainous valleys that were protected from harsh conditions in the spring and summer.

TALKING FLOWERS

Dahlia

Dahlias are perennials  related to sunflowers and Asters in the Asteraceae family.

Dahlias can be grown from seed, eg Pom Pom Dahlias, but mostly the large flowered varieties are grown from tubers that are sown in Autumn for Summer flowering.

Like all members of the Asteraceae family, the flower head is actually a composite with both central disc florets and surrounding ray florets. Each floret is a flower in its own right, but is often incorrectly described as a petal.

Where they came from:

The wild Dahlias originally grew in Mexico and other South American countries, primarily in mountainous valleys that were protected from harsh conditions in the spring and summer.

One species Dahlia pinnata is the national flower of Mexico.

Some floral meanings

• ·         Staying graceful under pressure, especially in challenging situations
• ·         Drawing upon inner strength to succeed
• ·         Traveling and making a major life change in a positive way
• ·         Standing out from the crowd and following your own unique path
• ·         Commitment to another person or a certain ideal
• ·         Warning someone about a potential betrayal.

I’m talking with Mercedes Sarmini https://www.flowersbymercedes.com.au

One species Dahlia pinnata is the national flower of Mexico.

Some floral meanings

• ·         Staying graceful under pressure, especially in challenging situations
• ·         Drawing upon inner strength to succeed
• ·         Traveling and making a major life change in a positive way
• ·         Standing out from the crowd and following your own unique path
• ·         Commitment to another person or a certain ideal
• ·         Warning someone about a potential betrayal.

 

I’m talking with Mercedes Sarmini https://www.flowersbymercedes.com.au

Real World Gardener Weeding Tools for Lawns in Tool Time

 

TOOL TIME

Weeding Lawns

Did you know that knee problems start with gardening on your knees for long periods of time?

But you don’t have to get down on your knees to do weeding these days if you’ve got the right tools.

Even weeding lawns is possible without spraying and kneeling.

So let’s find how to make that weeding job  in the lawn a little bit easier.

I'm talking with Tony Mattson General Manager of www.cutabovetools.com.au

PLAY: Weeding Tools part 1_26th July 2017

 

The Weed Hoe (pictured right)  is exclusive to Cut Above Tools. 

Operation is by a foot pedal to lever out the weed and the two handles to take the weed out of the lawn or garden bed. 

 

Real World Gardener's Tip for Lawn Weed Control.

Get to know your grass type and the ideal cutting height for good health and strong growth.

 

When cut no lower than that height, and when cut before it gets too long, the grass will usually out-compete weeds as long as it’s also fertilized and watered properly. 

If you have any questions about weeding tools why not email us realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

 

 

 

 

Real World Gardener The House and Garden at Glenmore Book Review

OOK REVIEW

The House and Garden at Glenmore

author Mickey Robertson.

Imagine a ramshackle set of buildings dating back to the 1850’s set way out on the outskirts of a big city.

No garden, but plenty of land.

Imagine also your partner or husband coming home and telling you that he’s just bought such a property.

What would you do?

Let’s find out ..'[m speaking with author of The House and Garden at Glenmore Robertson

Glenmore House was once a dairy farm and when Mickey's husband came across it 28 years ago, it was a collection of once dilapidated buildings.

These buildings took time to restore and in the book, Mickey describes the long process.

Mickey wrote the book in 1 month, working every day fro 10 hours.

Being an inveterate compiler of lists she was able to draw on them for the names of plant material and order of things.

 

Ideas for the garden came from notable famous gardens like Sissinghurst in England but the garden isn't entirely English.

 

 

 

 

Not only does Mickey provide heaps of plant information in this book but there are gardening tips along with 30 seasonal recipes, including that recipe for cumquat Ice-cream.

Next time there’s an open day at Glenmore, we should make an effort to go and visit. You won’t be disappointed.

You can catch up that segment by listening to the podcast www.realworldgardener.com

If you have any questions Glenmore house, drop us a line to realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW

1675.

Real World Gardener The Essential Edible Pharmacy Book Review

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney, streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio Network. www.realworldgardener.com
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BOOK REVIEW

With a plethora of gardening books being constantly published RWG has steered away from book reviews, until now that is.  

This following feature interview is sort of a book review because I’m talking with the author and her ideas about why she wrote the book in the first place.Let’s find out what it’s all about.
I'm talking with Sophie Manolas, nutritionist and author of The Essential Edible Pharmacy.


Sophie’s aim  was to quote from her book, “ to simplify the process of making the best dietary choices and to show you that whole foods in their own way, are superfoods.
Use it as bed time reading, a recipe book, or just advice on what nutrition you get from certain veggies, fruit or nuts.

But what you don’t get is how to exactly grow everything, there wasn’t enough room.
That’s where Vegetable Heroes fills the gap.
Maybe I need to write a gardening book.