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We are a group of micro farmers who welcome anyone who keeps animals or grows vegetables and fruit, or loves cooking! Who would like to come along to our meetings or events and share their experiences with others. You don't need to have lots of animals to be a "smallholder." Many people who grow vegetables, have some bees or maybe a couple of backyard chickens come along and enjoy the meetings and events as well.
Monday, 9 April 2012
MALDON TOWN.com
Viennese biscuits
These delicious biscuits are similar to an extremely short shortbread. The wonderfully fine-textured biscuit melts in the mouth while the smooth, velvety chocolate adds a silky richness to this classic Austrian confection.
Ingredients
Measurement units:
250g unsalted butter
55g icing sugar
225g plain flour
75g corn flour
300g dark chocolate
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Cooking Time: 15 minutes.
Serves: 10-14
Method
Soften the butter by weighing it out and then either briefly microwaving it or leaving it out on the worktop for an hour or two. Then weigh out the rest of the ingredients (except for the dark chocolate) into a large mixing bowl and put in the butter.
Using a wooden spoon or electric mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the ingredients to a paste and then stop. You don’t want to add too much air.
For the classic look of the biscuit place the paste into a piping bag with a star nozzle and pipe the mixture out onto non stick baking parchment or, if you have one, which we highly recommend, a mat like this.
Pipe the biscuits on the tray they will be baked on and make sure they are spaced sufficiently apart because they do expand.
Bake the biscuits at 170°c for 15 minutes until lightly golden brown. Then place them onto a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Melt the chocolate and dip one half of the cooled biscuit into it to coat. Gentle shake off some of the excess chocolate and place the biscuit back onto the non stick mat or lightly greased baking parchment.
Leave the chocolate to set completely to avoid mess.
Enjoy these Viennese biscuits again and again until you run out.
Useful Information
Can it be frozen? No.
Can it be prepared in advance? Yes, they are biscuits.
Will leftovers be nice? Yes, they keep up to a week in an air tight box.
Notes
- If you are a chocoholic like me, then why not drizzle the biscuits with a little white chocolate to make them that little bit more special!
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Maldon and Burnham report
Planning row lands Mark in hot water with council
9:00am Sunday 1st April 2012 in Countywide By James Calnan
A FARMER says Colchester Council is scuppering his attempts to help the environment by stopping him collecting rainwater.
Mark Spenner, 39, inherited five acres of land off Grange Road, Tiptree, and set up a smallholding with pigs, sheep and chickens.
He has already dotted seven 1.5m-wide water tanks around his field to collect rain and has started to build a barn.
A retrospective planning permission has been rejected by Colchester Council.
Mr Spenner, from Rivenhall, said with a hosepipe ban imminent he did not know how he would water the trees and hedges he recently planted.
He said: “I’m not an eco-warrior, but I do like to do my bit for the environment and that’s why I have planted so many trees.
“I was advised by the nursery to give them a minimum of two litres of water a day “I thought about harvesting the rainwater to see if I could collect enough over the winter to see me through the summer, or at least soften the blow.
“Now I’ve been refused planning permission, and one of the stipulations is I’ve got to get rid of these water harvesting tanks.
“I don’t know where I stand with the hosepipe ban. How am I going to water the trees?
“I’ve got the land and I’m being denied use of it by Colchester Council.”
Mr Spenner’s land is a stone’s throw away from Colchester United’s forthcoming training complex, which was controversially given planning permission in 2010 at the third time of asking.
He had built the skeleton of the barn next to his stables but was ordered to stop and apply for planning permission. He plans to appeal against the decision.
9:00am Sunday 1st April 2012 in Countywide By James Calnan
A FARMER says Colchester Council is scuppering his attempts to help the environment by stopping him collecting rainwater.
Mark Spenner, 39, inherited five acres of land off Grange Road, Tiptree, and set up a smallholding with pigs, sheep and chickens.
He has already dotted seven 1.5m-wide water tanks around his field to collect rain and has started to build a barn.
A retrospective planning permission has been rejected by Colchester Council.
Mr Spenner, from Rivenhall, said with a hosepipe ban imminent he did not know how he would water the trees and hedges he recently planted.
He said: “I’m not an eco-warrior, but I do like to do my bit for the environment and that’s why I have planted so many trees.
“I was advised by the nursery to give them a minimum of two litres of water a day “I thought about harvesting the rainwater to see if I could collect enough over the winter to see me through the summer, or at least soften the blow.
“Now I’ve been refused planning permission, and one of the stipulations is I’ve got to get rid of these water harvesting tanks.
“I don’t know where I stand with the hosepipe ban. How am I going to water the trees?
“I’ve got the land and I’m being denied use of it by Colchester Council.”
Mr Spenner’s land is a stone’s throw away from Colchester United’s forthcoming training complex, which was controversially given planning permission in 2010 at the third time of asking.
He had built the skeleton of the barn next to his stables but was ordered to stop and apply for planning permission. He plans to appeal against the decision.
APPEAL
Can you make jam or chutney?
Yes - could you make some to sell at this year's country shows.
If so, contact Carlie on 07979862952 or email carlie@eastessexsmallholders.org.uk now
Thank you
Yes - could you make some to sell at this year's country shows.
If so, contact Carlie on 07979862952 or email carlie@eastessexsmallholders.org.uk now
Thank you
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
For the love of lavender
Lavender oil - production of
You don't have to buy essential oil to get the fragrance and benefits of lavender oil in your bath, sachet, and even in your cooking. Use your fresh lavender buds to make an olive oil infused mixture you can use for anything from a sleep aid (topically) to a moisturizer that will help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Lavender Oil Recipe
1-1/2 to 2 Cups Lavender buds or flowers
1-1/2 Cups Olive Oil
7 Capsules Vitamin E (Pierced and drained, 400 IUs or adjust quantity)
Jar with a tight fitting lid (about a two cup capacity, sterilized)
Non-reactive pot (glass, ceramic or stainless steel)
Non-reactive bowl
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Coffee filter
Directions for Making Lavender Oil
Heat olive oil till it starts to bubble at the edge of the pot.
Add lavender and simmer for half an hour on low.
Cool to room temperature
Strain in batches through a large strainer and then through a coffee filter.
Pierce vitamin capsules and add vitamin E oil to the mixture.
Pour into a decorative, sterilized jar.
Refrigerate
The mixture will become cloudy when it's cold but clear up again as it reaches room temperature. It should last about six weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze a portion for later use. Frozen lavender oil will stay fragrant for four to six months.
Uses For Lavender Oil
You can use the oil as a moisturizer, mild antibacterial, bath oil, or dry hair treatment. You'll smell great with a touch of the oil at your pulse points, and it will last longer than many water-based colognes.
If you have potpourri around the house, decorative herb wreaths, lavender wands or other decorative lavender crafts, you can refresh them with lavender fragrance by applying a drop or two of oil.
Special Notes on Using Lavender Oil:
Lavender Essential oil is distilled and very concentrated. This mixture is not an essential oil. It's less strong, but has a good fragrance and can be applied directly to the skin.
Don't use lavender that has been treated with pesticides.
Lavender can cause allergic reactions in some folks. If you experience a rash, sore throat, or nausea, discontinue use. If you are having trouble breathing after using a lavender infused product or homemade concoction, seek medical help immediately.
You don't have to buy essential oil to get the fragrance and benefits of lavender oil in your bath, sachet, and even in your cooking. Use your fresh lavender buds to make an olive oil infused mixture you can use for anything from a sleep aid (topically) to a moisturizer that will help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Lavender Oil Recipe
1-1/2 to 2 Cups Lavender buds or flowers
1-1/2 Cups Olive Oil
7 Capsules Vitamin E (Pierced and drained, 400 IUs or adjust quantity)
Jar with a tight fitting lid (about a two cup capacity, sterilized)
Non-reactive pot (glass, ceramic or stainless steel)
Non-reactive bowl
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Coffee filter
Directions for Making Lavender Oil
Heat olive oil till it starts to bubble at the edge of the pot.
Add lavender and simmer for half an hour on low.
Cool to room temperature
Strain in batches through a large strainer and then through a coffee filter.
Pierce vitamin capsules and add vitamin E oil to the mixture.
Pour into a decorative, sterilized jar.
Refrigerate
The mixture will become cloudy when it's cold but clear up again as it reaches room temperature. It should last about six weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze a portion for later use. Frozen lavender oil will stay fragrant for four to six months.
Uses For Lavender Oil
You can use the oil as a moisturizer, mild antibacterial, bath oil, or dry hair treatment. You'll smell great with a touch of the oil at your pulse points, and it will last longer than many water-based colognes.
If you have potpourri around the house, decorative herb wreaths, lavender wands or other decorative lavender crafts, you can refresh them with lavender fragrance by applying a drop or two of oil.
Special Notes on Using Lavender Oil:
Lavender Essential oil is distilled and very concentrated. This mixture is not an essential oil. It's less strong, but has a good fragrance and can be applied directly to the skin.
Don't use lavender that has been treated with pesticides.
Lavender can cause allergic reactions in some folks. If you experience a rash, sore throat, or nausea, discontinue use. If you are having trouble breathing after using a lavender infused product or homemade concoction, seek medical help immediately.
Chicken Vet - March 2012
* Thank you from The Chicken Vet *
Following our attendance at the Edible Garden Show 2012 at Stoneleigh, we are pleased to announce that the winner of our competition to win a Chicken Vet Starter-Kit Plus was Lauren Bell. Congratulations Lauren!
**BUY NOW**
Don't forget, now that Spring is here, it is a great time to worm your chickens. Flubenvet is still available online with the price frozen at just £17.72 VAT inclusive.
This is a fantastic medicated premixture, and is effective on a wide range of worms, while also allowing you to still consume eggs during your chicken's treatment.
Mite season is now here, a common problem for many poultry owners. At The Chicken Vet, we stock a range of treatments to tackle mites and lice, like Die-Mite Spray available at £15.76 VAT inclusive.
Also available, a full range of mite powders and products to treat both the house and the bird. View our Red Mite information sheet here.
Register Online
You can register on The Chicken Vet website for just £15, and receive
Newsletters
Veterinary health updates
New product promotions
5% discount in our online shop
Don't forget, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and we also take questions on chicken related matters at The Chicken Vet Forum.
We look forward to seeing you again at The Edible Garden Show 2013!
The Chicken Vet Team
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Visit us at www.chickenvet.co.uk
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