Casalinho

Author: Andrea

  • Our Week in Pictures: 22nd September 2014

    We’ve had our first taste of autumn weather this week, somewhat early, with lots of rain and tremendous thunderstorms.  We can’t really complain though, look at these photos of Lisbon today. Wet soil easily compacts so we’ve not been doing a great deal in the veg garden as a result. A seemingly simple task of knocking more »

  • In the Kitchen: Elderberry & Pear Chutney

      With a proliferation of elderberries and plenty of windfall pears at the moment, this elderberry and pear chutney recipe has been a tasty way to ensure that none go to waste. As with most of my recipes, my quantities are vague and my ingredients interchangeable. Taste it when it’s boiled down and tweak the more »

  • Our Week in Pictures: 8th September 2014

    It’s been another week of harvesting and processing. I’ve been making the most of the summer sun to dry as much as I can, with particular emphasis on things that can add variety to the animals’ winter feed. Left to right, top to bottom. 1. We discovered that the dead stalks of the parsnips we more »

  • In the Kitchen: Sorrel ‘Pickle’

    We’re fortunate in that we have a great deal of sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) growing wild all over the garden. It’s got a very strong lemony flavour (to the extent that it’s known as azeda in Portuguese, literally meaning sour), and is a versatile addition to the foragers collection. A few leaves make a great addition to more »

  • Our Week in Pictures: 1st September 2014

    The start of a new month and we’re wondering how the summer managed to pass so quickly! This week Jeroen has been working on replacing a friend’s roof, and here at the farm we’ve been caught up in a frenzy of harvesting and preserving our bounty. Left to right, top to bottom: 1) Yellow cherry more »

  • Our Week in Pictures: 25th August 2014

    Festa, festa still this week, with the three day event at Malhada do Rei. As I write, we’re sitting in the smoke of the first fire we’ve experienced locally this year. It’s not close enough to be of concern to us personally, but is a stark reminder of how a dangerous a stray spark can more »

  • Our Week in Pictures: 18th August 2014

    It’s been another very sociable week and my feet don’t feel like they’ve touched the ground. We’ve got lots done though, as some of these picture testify.  

  • Góis Bike Festival

    August is full of festas locally, ranging from tiny village affairs to the massive. Yesterday we headed out to Góis for the annual bike festival organised by Góis Moto Club. It’s one of the biggest bike events in Portugal.

  • In the Kitchen: Fruit Scrap Vinegar

    Here at Casalinho nothing is wasted, and I really mean nothing. But if I can squeeze in an extra step between kitchen, animal shed and compost, you can bet I will! Fruit scrap vinegar is a fabulous way of doing exactly that. Make a secondary, tasty product from something which many households would simply throw away. more »

  • Our Week in Pictures: 11th August 2014