Only_Oli (The O_Zone)

I have been updating my Hydroponics setup for 2015. I have modified a little the hanging hooks and purchase a new set of propagation lights from Growell. I took some 4X T5 lights as it fits well with the wooden frame. I also decided to move the heated propagation tray up to the top shelf so that I can easily access it.

I am very pleased with the recovery of the lemon balm plant and I have made some cuttings which I have put into the AeroPonics setup. I bought a 3 disc mister instead of the traditional circulating pump. I have noticed that it creates a lot of heat in the water and  therefore the water heater is superfluous. However there is a risk that the setup will simply be too hot for the cuttings. I might have to do a second set later.

I have been looking into these new light form dimlux. They are very impressive but the top of the range one uses the same light bulb I already have in the d-papillon from philips. However, in my setup I do not have the possibility to dim down the light. I might consider this later in the summer.

Finally, I have moved an orchid that seem to be dying in the conservatory and moved it to the garage to see if I can save it with some proper light. I am not sure what is wrong with it. It has not been well since the beginning.

Make candied lemon balm leaves – Beat an egg white with a tiny bit of water. Dip lemon balm leaves in the mixture, then dip in sugar. Lay on a parchment lined baking sheet. Put in a 80 to 90 celsius oven until they look dry, but not browned. 20 minutes should be ok but can check every 5 after that.

As I was playing around I looked under the digital microscope. I took a piece of moss and a leave of Lemon Balm. Test to see update from webforwarding.

Here is another classic in the family. Always a winner with the kids, really nice with some french fries or a green salad.

On the lower grill, the “extra” for a small meat loaf.

Ingredients :

• 500g Pork Mince
• 500g of veal Mince or 500g of turkey mince
• 2 spring oignons / 3 garlic clove / parsley
• 2 chicken cubes
• 1 slice of dried bread dipped into milk
• 3 slice of ham or pancetta or lardons
• 1 full egg and 1 yoke
• Nutmeg, Salt, Pepper, Curly parsley
• 4 Large Aubergines

How to Make :

Slice the aubergines in half and scoop out the inside with a spoon. Be careful not to destroy the skin of the aubergine to avoid them to “leak” during cooking. Keep them aside to make the container for the oven cooking. Cook the flesh of the aubergine in a frying pan with a generous drip of olive oil, salt pepper to taste. The more you cook at this point the more you can give a chargrilled taste to the finished product. Don’t over do it !

Cut roughly the oignons, ham and bread. Crush the garlic. Put everything in a large bowl and mix together with the salt, pepper and chicken cubes which you have dissolved into a small quantity of boiled water. Put the eggs as well with the parsley. Mix well. Add the aubergine flesh at the last minute to that it has a bit of time to cool down.

Don’t forget the nutmeg, it gives a nice taste and goes well with the aubergine flesh.

Now put the meat “farce” into the aubergines halves which you have layed in a oven proof dish.

Cook at 160 degres for approx 45 minutes. Check the colour on the backend of the cooking. Ideally you want to baste the meat as it cooks. It will be more moist and juicy. It is also possible to simply forget about it for 30 minutes and check later…

I like this dish with french fries but it goes well with some salad or pasta.

I you have too much meat mixture, you can cook the “extra”  separately in a small cake dish or “terrine” to make a simple meat loaf. This can be eaten cold or hot over the following days…

Enjoy !

Today I made some good old “Tarte au sucre”, family tradition style.

Here is the recipe from “Marraine de Quievrain“, collected in person on a piece of paper that was lying around on the day…about 14 years ago (sometime in 1999 I think). I was visiting with my then girlfriend -to become wife – doing a tour of the Belgian family members. She had cooked a few tarts and the house had a great smell. I asked how to make it and she did tell me !

My grandma, my aunty, my mum, my cousins, all make it with variants of “the secret bits”.

It always makes me think of the old days when I was a child and although we had no idea what was to come next for our lives, we knew inside that this was special time to be enjoyed without moderation.

Here is my interpretation of the recipe :

Ingredients : 250g Flour / 125g Butter + more for top / Active Dry Yeast / 3 eggs / White Sugar and/or Cassonade.

1. Make pastry : 250g of Flour / 125g of soft butter / 2 egg yokes -put it all in a bowl. Prepare some Active dry yeast – a small glass of water (hot from the mains) with 1/2 tablespoon of active dry yeast and a teaspoon of sugar to help activate. Mix all above in a bowl. Update 1: It is better if you mix flour and butter first. simply crush the butter between your fingers and make a crumble of butter and flour, then add egg and yeast. Either by hand or using machine. if by hand add milk or flour to get to a ball of paste that is not sticky to the fingers and not too dry to the touch either. This is the tricky part. The weather, the temperature, the flour will make it all change a bit.
2. Put the prepared mix in a bowl to rise for 1 hour. Protect from cold drafts to help raise. Most modern houses with central heating will just be fine. If you live in a drafty house simply put the bowl in the oven (off).
3. Roll the pastry slightly thick (6mm). It’s not Pizza, so the pastry will be a bit sticky. Flour the rolling pin. Roll it so that it fits your cooking tin. I usually do one large tart.
4. Put the sugar on the pastry. It is down to how you like it. Lots or not. I usually simply spread it straight from the bag over the pastry. I prefer to use white sugar together with a little bit of cassonade. I don’t like it if there is too much but there is plenty of recipes on the net for thick sugar coatings. Whisk an egg with a little bit of milk. Put it over the sugar. Spread the liquid over the sugar so that all the sugar is wetted by the mixture. Put a few small bits of butter all over the tart. Maybe 6 X 1/2 teaspoon.
5. Put into a pre-heated oven at 250 Celsius. Update 1: I find 250 to be too hot. I now use 200-210. (if you make the oven less warm, the tart will raise more which is nice also). Cook until it looks good…
6. Let it cool. Then eat…or even better wait for the next morning and have it for breakfast. If I make the tart in the morning, there will be none by the evening. If I make it in the evening, we will have some for breakfast the next day !