Tag: organic
Growing in the Garden
Our New Zealand summer garden has been a haven of fun and activity over the last two months. We’ve had the most glorious weather and have eaten outside almost every day.
There’s still brilliant sunshine forecast for New Zealand but the mornings and evenings have started to have the feeling that summer is passing. We travel back to London in a few days we’ll miss playing in the outside garden, watching all the creatures that live here, splish splash sploshing in the paddling pool and helping to water the flowers and vegetables.
We found green and golden bell frogs with beautiful markings in the tomato plants, on the runner beans and in the patch of strawberries in my parent’s garden.
A pumpkin growing organically from the compost heap.
The beautiful New Zealand native Pohutukawa tree.
New Zealand Country Life
After a coffee in Greytown we visited my Uncle and Aunt in Mikimiki on a beautiful hot day in the Wairarapa. Their house sits in the middle of several acres of garden, pasture and wooded land. A stream runs by the land and there are some deep spots for taking a dip when you need to cool off in the summer. The perfect setting for New Zealand country life.
Enjoying lunch with Gran
Following a delicious lunch al fresco we explored the garden where Imogen found a hammock between the trees to swing in with Grandma and Grandpa, a wheelbarrow, a spade and a bathtub full of rainwater and lily pads. In the afternoon she had fun with her new friend Ellie, playing with a bucket of water.
The setting for my Uncle and Aunt’s home is idyllic. My Uncle has built an outdoor kitchen, aka the Man Cave, that is just incredible. It gets plenty of use throughout the year and there’s even hot water for doing the dishes when you’ve finished eating in the outdoors. Don’t you love the Man Cave sign?
It was a glorious day spent catching up with family and reminded me of how much I’m looking forward to having our own garden and organic vegetable plot one day. As for a hammock between the trees to relax in and read… yes please!
Imogen’s quite the country bumpkin even in her Vertbaudet skirt and since we’ve been in New Zealand she’s rarely seen without her purple wellies and Grandpa’s large hat.
Super Vegetable Soup
Super Vegetable Soup
Unsurprisingly things don’t always work out as they should, but they still end up tasting great.
For lunch I made a Super Vegetable Soup.
It’s super because:
- I use all organic ingredients
- It’s packed full of vitamins, minerals and hearty goodness
- It’s really quick to make
- I make it using only one pan
- It’s great value for a fresh and nutritious meal that feeds 6 people
- I chop the vegetables roughly because they’re blended with a Hand Blender
This soup is perfect for anyone wanting an easy, quick, healthy and filling meal to feed their family.
Organic Ingredients:
- 1 small Red Onion
- 2 cloves of Garlic
- 2 Leeks
- 2 Carrots
- 6 New Potatoes
- Half a Buttnernut Squash
- 2 large handfuls of Kale
- A splash of cream can be added to taste when serving
How I make it:
- Chop onion, garlic, leeks and saute in a large pan. When sauteed I transfer these into a bowl whilst I prepare the remaining vegetables.
- Chop the carrots, potatoes and butternut squash into small cubes and add water to just cover the vegetables. Boil until cooked.
- Wash and chop the kale and add to the pan of boiling vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Blend the vegetables in the pan using a Hand Blender.
And there it is, cooked and ready to eat!
I don’t add salt or pepper when cooking the soup so it’s suitable for my baby to eat.
Pepper and salt can be added to suit individual tastes when serving. Add a splash of cream if desired.
Serve the soup with warm crusty bread.
What’s your favourite winter soup?
