Tag: food

nature, painting

Tales from Nannie’s garden – a summer day

Nannie RaRa

Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time on a sunny day, the Bobbin family were playing in the garden. But wait, what do you think is happening? I could tell you what I think, but it is up to you to make the painting come to life.

This is my version of the story in the painting.

Once upon a time on a summer day, the Bobbin family were playing in the garden.

Jimmy was watching the baby bluetits playing in the water Nannie had left out for them. One young bluetit had his eye on a peacock butterfly – wondering if it was good to eat.

The shy great spotted woodpecker was half hidden amongst the leaves waiting for everyone to go so he could have a drink of water.

The blackbird had heard the noise and came to see what was going on. But in the meantime, was that a tasty snail in the broken flowerpot?

The squirrel was chatting to Timmy and Jerry who were sitting on the bench. They were hoping to go and have a splash in the water.

Bobbie Robin was near Clarrie, helping her keep an eye on everyone.

All was calm, but then Ned the Nisse came sliding down the tree hoping to land in the cool water. What a splash he could make!  Ned was always mischievous. Jimmy enjoyed playing with him but was worried that the bluetits would be scared off by Ned.

Nannie was standing nearby. What did she have in her basket? Was it flowers she had picked or had she brought out some of her special cakes for everyone.

What is your version of the story of the painting?

Background

This is my latest painting.

Tales from Nannie’s garden lets children make up their own story, encouraging them to use their imagination, while at the same time getting to know nature.

On a shelf near the painting are various figures and items associated with the painting so that anyone can play and continue the story.

It makes you wonder what your figures get up to when you are not watching.

Recipe

Cashew nut roast

Nannie RaRa

My daughter has reverted to being a vegetarian and has asked for a nut roast for Christmas dinner. I’ve been experimenting and this cashew nut roast seems promising.

Ingredients

Main roast

  • 150 g cashew nuts
  • small onion
  • 125 g chestnut mushrooms
  • bunch fresh thyme
  • 4 oz breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 oz butter

Stuffing

  • 3 oz breadcrumbs
  • lemon
  • bunch fresh parsley
  • 1 egg

Method

Prepare the stuffing first. Make the breadcrumbs using fresh brown bread and place in a bowl.

I used white bread for both in this version, but in future I’ll use brown bread for the stuffing and white for the main roast to produce a contrast.

Chop the parsley finely – I prefer curly leafed parsley – and add to the breadcrumbs. Grate the rind from the lemon and add this, plus the juice to the breadcrumbs. Mix well then bind together using a beaten egg. Stand to one side.

Make the breadcrumbs for the main roast and place in a bowl. Crush the cashew nuts, either in a blender or use a rolling pin on a board. Mix the cashews with the breadcrumbs.

Chop both the onion and the mushrooms finely. In a cooking pan melt 1 oz butter. Add the the onion, mushrooms and the thyme leaves. Cook over a gentle heat for a couple of minutes.

Put the onion and mushroom mix into the breadcrumbs and nuts. Mix well and bind together with a beaten egg. It will be a bit crumbly, not completely solid.

Put a sheet of baking parchment into a loaf tin. Put half the main roast mix in the bottom of the tin. Spoon the stuffing on to this and then finally the last part of the main roast.

Cover with tinfoil and bake at 180 C for an hour, taking the tinfoil off for the last ten minutes to crisp the top.

Take out and either eat it hot with gravy or a sauce. It can also be eaten cold. I enjoyed a slice as it was – it would be good in a lunch box.

Enjoy!