What are you cooking today?

[mab19]

I cut up another lot of tomatoes for chutney this morning.

[achookwoman]

No cooking today. Too hot. Expected temperature 35. I’m learning how to use the A/C. , fans and opening the windows at night.

[K Atie]

Stewed some pears . They are so good .

[mab19]

Another lot of chutney today.

[cookie1]

No cooking today. Too hot. Expected temperature 35. I’m learning how to use the A/C. , fans and opening the windows at night.

Ooh that isn't nice Chookie. WE have been sleeping with our air con on 25 at night and a low fan. Very nice. I see we are in for some 40+ days later this week. I checked and we have had 31 days over 30 this year. Most over 35 and some over 40.

[Cuilidh]

A pot of cashew nut curry for tomorrow night and pesto pasta for the two of us tonight

[achookwoman]

Cookie, I’m not complaining after reading how hot it has been for you. However yesterday was a shocker. There have been fires North of Ballarat started by lightning strikes and driven by the wind.
Too hot to cook yesterday but roasted a small Chook at 8.30 pm after the cool change.

[judydawn]

Not bad in Adelaide, we seem to have a day or 2 of hot weather then a cool change comes in before the next round of heat. Really feel for those in W.A. as their weather is horrendous and has been for years in summer. Summer storms are a problem elsewhere though, you were obviously OK where you are Chookie?

[cookie1]

Most people I speak to are sick of the heat. I did a rough count yesterday and we have had something like 31 days over 30°, with many of those over 35°. Tomorrow is supposed to be 43°.
Thank goodness for air con.

[achookwoman]

Judy, we are ok here. I overlook a wetland and the Council are diligent about keeping the grass mowed.
Cookie, I understand how much you are enjoying the A/C. That is a lot of hot days.
Thought I might make a jam and coconut slice.
I was talking to a lady who works in the local cup cake shop. They make 4000 cakes in a batch. Her job is to fill the tins with the mixture. They have recently mechanised the process. Previously she used a forcing bag.

[mab19]

More tomato chutney.

[achookwoman]

I’m jammed out. Made16 jars yesterday. Biscuits today. Apple muffins and Almond crackle biscuits.  Another lot of Plum Vinegar soaking. Also water cress soup.

[achookwoman]

Made the fried Rice Paper Rolls today.  Great fun to make. Bit of a trick in getting the rice paper just right but not too difficult.
I cut the cooked chicken into strips ,  grated carrot, cut water chestnuts into small batons, ( essential for crunch), cut a large lettuce leaf into strips, ( not good ) cut mushrooms into strips. Put too much filling in but didn’t really matter.
Heated AF and heated baking tin with a little oil. Sprayed rolls with oil. They didn’t brown but crackled like shrimp crackers, and STUCK TO TIN. therefore the broke up a bit. They tasted lovely and I dipped them in ABC sauce.
I will make them again but will shallow fry. They would reheat well in AF.

[cookie1]

I made some pickled, sliced red onion. I have the cutter now and it makes it so easy and quick to slice the onion.
I also made some biscuits. Just a plain biscuit with cranberries and lemon zest in.

[achookwoman]

I haven’t stopped smiling since reading the latest craze in Melbourne for potato cakes at top restaurants. The family have been loving my potato cakes, dipped in SD batter, for ages. They are crunchy and crackly with soft potato centres. I steam the thin slices of potato first, let them cool and then dip in the batter. The batter is SD discard, mixed with a bit of extra flour and water, plus salt, pepper and carb soda. It is essential to have very hot oil so that the batter cooks quickly. I use Rice Bran oil. I tend to cook a lot and reheat in the AF.