Clafoutis in Summer

It is summer in New Zealand. Nobody has told the weather man so he keeps bringing us winter weather. Here is a photo taken from our bedroom window of Children playing at the beach:

1) the beach cannot be seen for the height of the waves

2) even if they could see the beach the wind will make sure to sand blast the so that they couldn't stand being on it anyway.

Still the kids managed to have fun under the shower of spray.

The fruit is coming into season despite the inclement weather. Our friends have a baby plum tree that is covered in the most delicious fruit. It seemed right for cooking Clafoutis - the best recipe for using up lots of excess fruit.

You need:

· 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk

· 7 oz milk

· 2 oz cornstarch

· 1/2 cup sugar

· About 1 lb + 2 oz plums

· 3.5 oz heavy cream

· 2 Tbsp butter + 2 Tbsp sugar to cook the plums

Steps:

· Preheat your oven at 410 F.

· Wash your plums and slice them open. Remove the stones.

· Heat 2 Tbsp butter in a pan. Add the plums and 2 Tbsp sugar and cook for 5 mns. Set aside.

· Butter small molds (or a large one) and sprinkle them with sugar.

· In a bowl, mix together the cold milk with the cornstarch.

· In another bowl, beat the eggs with the egg yolk. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the cream and mix.

· Mix the milk/cornstarch preparation with the egg one.

· Place the cooked plums in your molds, face up.

· Pour the preparation over and cook in the oven for about 30 min, until golden.

· Remove from the oven. Sprinkle with sugar and eat lukewarm preferably.

Here is my second attempt at making Clafoutis. Tastes delicious even if it sounds like something the Center for Disease control is monitoring.

Christmas in the Summer

As is the tradition, Christmas day began with the Christmas morning swim to get the blood pumping. Of course it is a little easier to get into water in the summer time than in Ireland where it is sub zero temperatures. Due to personal modesty, the Oleary portrait has been replaced by Burt who looks very good in the water

One of the nice aspects of Christmas down-under is the BBQ dinner and boules on the lawn. The extended O'Leary clan enjoy a relaxing drink before lunch.

After boxing day, Fred and I went on a little driving tour to visit Aunt Brenda, Peg's surviving sister who lives in Napier. At 86 she was delighted to be taken to a pub for a wee drink. We toasted 2010 with some beers.

We celebrated New Year's eve back in Plimmerton. This picture was taken at sunset (about 10pm) on the deck. From left - Barbara, Fred, Joanne, hubbie Peter and Mark

Our stunning fireworks display at midnight compliments of pyromaniac Peter O'Leary

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o' auld lang syne.

Chorus.

And for auld lang syne, my jo, For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne,