Beans, beans, beans!

April 21, 2026 / sbaskitchen / Leave a comment

When you go away, the weather is beautiful, and the veg patch greets you with a surprise on your return!

Australian Butter Beans

Rattlesnake Beans

Australian Butter Beans

Rattlesnake Beans

Australian Butter Beans

Purple King Beans

Rattlesnake Beans

I grow climbing beans every year, they generally produce abundantly right through autumn, they are perfect for braising in tomato sauce, but they are also fabulous pickled too.

Green Beans Braised with Tomatoes

Pickled Beans

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Cooking, creating and having fun together!

April 3, 2026April 3, 2026 / sbaskitchen / Leave a comment

My sisters visited recently. We had the best few day, we always get to do so much when we’re together, cramming as much as we can into the days, the hours, the minutes. Traveling from different parts of the state, they arrived on Sunday with greetings from one of the locals!

A local welcoming my sisters!

Our mornings were slow and relaxed – lots of chatting, sharing of stories, reminiscing, flicking through magazines and recipe books, and enjoying more than one cuppa together! Our afternoons and evenings were busy! Continue reading →

Changing Seasons

May 23, 2025May 24, 2025 / sbaskitchen / Leave a comment

The nights are getting colder, the frosts are beginning and now the summer produce that just didn’t want to shut down, is doing so! While I’ll be sad to see the end of the zucchinis, beans, basil and even tomatoes, I must admit, I’ve been waiting in the wings to prepare the soil for more plantings…

I’d been wanting to bring in the last of the basil for pesto, and it having survived the first frost, didn’t wait any longer. After the icy beginning to a frosty day, the sun shone brightly, so it was perfect for grabbing the snips, a large basket, and heading down to the patch! I worked from one planting to the next, and when I’d finished, I couldn’t help but take a pic of the loaded basket sitting in the sunshine.

The last of the basil for the season.

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When the quince tree gives you quinces…

March 8, 2025March 8, 2025 / sbaskitchen / 1 Comment

Spiced Pickled Quinces

The tree was loaded, the birds were getting eager, but the cupboard was bare! Continue reading →

Tomatoes from the Garden

February 12, 2025February 12, 2025 / sbaskitchen / 1 Comment

It’s tomato season!

Tomatoes in the Garden – Costoluto Genovese

Tomatoes

I must admit that when it comes to growing tomatoes, I am a little obsessed! I always plant the seeds of way too many varieties (this year, I think, between 20 and 30) then I have to find the space, and the time, to plant them! The last of the plants went in around a month ago, and are doing nicely. Those that were planted in November and December are fruiting well, and keeping us well supplied.