Tips of the Trade: Part 3

Home Grown:
We can all supplement our green grocery list by growing certain veggies and herbs ourselves.
Be warned! This is not an easy task.

• I decided I would try organic gardening (well, without chemical pesticides that is). I chose to follow Margaret Roberts tips on how to grow a great veggie and herb garden as naturally as possible. Her recipe for keeping certain bugs and insects at bay really does work and is made up of only natural ingredients (chillis, garlic, basil leaves) .
• Although there are some really hardy beetles which keep eating my spinach! Otherwise I have managed to grow (very successfully) lettuces, rocket, spring onions, radishes, cherry tomatoes, rosemary, mint, origanum, thyme, majoram, dill, fennel, leeks, celery, sage, dhania, basil, endives. I ahev also added a few fruit trees to the mix and certain flowers to attract 'good bugs' to the garden to eat the 'bad' bugs.
• I have just planted cucumbers, gemsquash, butternut and zuchini - so let's hope for a good harvest! 

Festive Frenzy:

We get into a tizz when it comes to the silly season - but here are a few budget-friendly appetizers to calm your frazzled nerves (for while at least!).

• Bean dip (1 tin Mixed beans, 1 tsp lemon juice, fresh parsley,1 clove garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1tsp paprika 2tbsp olive oil/canola oil and serve with homemade melba toast.
• Roasted baby potatoes sprinkled with rock salt and black pepper served with cottage cheese mixed with spring onions and parsley as a dip.
• 1 french loaf sliced and toasted, spread with fat free cottage cheese and roasted peppers, onions and garlic.
• Devilled eggs - tomato sauce, a little mayo/cottage cheese, salt and pepper and parsley.
• Hummus with vegetable crudites.
• Toasted Tortilla wedges with a spicy cream cheese dip.
• Wholewheat tortillas spread with cream/cottage cheese, thin slices ham, grated cheese, shredded lettuce and rolled. Cut into pinwheels.
• Olives marinated in rosemary, olive oil and herbs.
• A cheese board: 2-4 smallish wedges of cheese (mature cheddar, white cheddar, Chevin, Camembert, Brie), a few pieces of fresh summer fruit and a few crackers.

Hope you are little inspired :-)