Broad bean soup.

I tried this today but didn't have all the ingredients so did without some,it turned out very nice. 

SERVES 4INGREDIENTS

2tbsp olive oil

2 small onions, roughly chopped

2 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped

50g streaky bacon, finely chopped (optional)

1ltr chicken stock

700g shelled broad beans (about 2kg unpodded)

2 large sage leaves, roughly chopped

200ml thick Greek style natural yoghurt

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Freshly ground black pepper

METHOD1.  Heat the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over a low heat and gently fry the onions and garlic for about 3 minutes or until soft. Add the bacon (if using) and cook for a further 3 minutes until it's turned golden (if you're not using the bacon, just continue cooking the onion mixture for another couple of minutes).

Add the stock, raise the heat and bring to the boil. Add the broad beans and return to the boil. Simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the beans are soft. 2.  Take off the heat, add the chopped sage and liquidise while still piping hot  -  ideally with a hand-held blender, as this saves on the washing up. Stir in the yoghurt and lemon juice. Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper and if necessary a pinch of salt. Return to the heat, slowly bring up to a gentle boil, stirring well, and serve.

Growing in and out of greenhouse

Few things are starting to grow in and out if the greenhouse,cucumbers / toms and courgettes. I've planted nearly all i had in the greenhouse just few things left,I've planted a few things  in the old manure bin just to see what happens. Think I've got the herbs / sweetcorn and celery left to plant out,Hopefully by the weekend or next week all will be planted. Then once that's done it the lovely job of weeding. 

That's tea sorted for me .

Just a few bits for tea and dinner sorted for me,it's not a lot but all planted by my little hands. 

Now you see me.

I've waited nearly 4 years to grow some raspberries down on the plot,I noticed I had one rasp on a bush. Then the next day as I was going to show the vast amount of raspberries I had to the chap next door,I was surprised to see the bugger had gone walk about a with the birds. Bugger. 

Few hours therapy

Just had a few hours at the plot today after I finished work,had a few little jobs that needed sorting out. One job that needed doing was to string up the  tomatoes and cucumbers,I picked the side shoots and strung them all up supposed to of done this ages ago.  I always get side tracked and end up doing other things,anyway at least I've done them just have to keep an eye on them. I've still got a a few things to plant out either in big pots or out side, you always end up sowing way to many seeds. I've already given a few thing away and still a few things left,if I give it a couple more bit pushes then I should be sorted. 

I picked another little harvest while chilling at them plot well the same as last time,I got a few spuds and broad beans also 5lb of strawberries. The spuds and beans will get eaten and the odd one given away,but the strawberries had to be cleaned and trimmed then frozen. If I left them in the fridge most of them would go soft and start to rot, so I had to save them and freeze them to many to eat. 

Weeks passing quickly

Can't believe how quick the weeks are passing us by,it's been another busy week at work and home also the plot. Got a few more things planted in the greenhouse and outside,oh and a little more weeding done. Still taking home my early potatoes and broad beans,taking them while still young and fresh. I also picked two lettuces up well real small ones,also still picking strawberries and rhubarb (5lb strawberries).

Can't beat fresh

Nipped to the plot to give it a quick water and pick some bits up,I was looking forward to picking some spuds up. My first early spuds are rocket and was planted about 12-13 weeks ago,it's about now I should be taking them up. So out came the fork and I dug one plant up,I unearthed them and I got 9 spuds which I was happy about. I also picked up half a dozen broad beans and some strawberries,some of the strawberries have slug damage but I'll trim them. The spuds and bean I had with my tea and dinner today in a salad. Mmmmmm

Nothing over the weekend

Nothing much happened over the weekend as I'd been away for a few days,but did a little on Friday after work so was quite chuffed. I know but I weeded the sections between the greenhouses,the strawberry / raspberry and pond area got weeded and I enjoyed it for some reason. The strawberry bed doesn't like anything has changed but it has,I've covered the strawberries over but forgot to take picture. 

My gooseberries have started to grow now for the first time,will have to cover them over before the birds take the all. The rasps are still small it's took me over 3 years to get some growth,must be special slow growing ones I think. I pick good handful of strawberries some full ones and half eaten ones. Still got loads on the verge of turning red,looks like another good crop of them this year. 

In the pond I have a few pond snails I was supposed how quick these buggers can move,either along the sides or just floating around waiting for wind to push them. 

Found a flower

Went to the plot just to check on a few things and found this in my pond,so nice finding it and bringing a little colour to the pond. 

4 days and 4 hours

Well it took me Just about 4 days to weed the onion section,I nearly gave up and left them to it. I'm glad I didn't and stuck with it,it might be easier if i didn't plant that many onions. Once the weeds have gone the buggers find a new part to grow in,never mind it keeps me busy.  When I left work I decide also to weed the section for the cabbages and bits to go in,wow that took its toll on me again. My knees / neck / back was hurting a bit well a lot,when you start to hurt all you want to do is stop. But that's doesn't help much when you have loads to do,I finished  the section and got it sorted and was chuffed. It was about 25ft x 15ft that I weeded and is looking ok,just have take fill the space up now with some lovey veg. 

Buggers beat me to it

Them nasty slugs beat me again.