Garden - Strawberries

This year, like every year, I’m growing some vegs and herbs. Except this year, it’s a success!!!!!

Every time it’s the same story, the plants will be eaten over night by an army of bugs and birds, what’s left will die, all alone while we are on holiday.

But every year, I decide to try again, convincing myself it will be different. And this year it is!

Few months ago (I didn’t take any pictures back then as I thought it would be another unsuccessful season) I started to seed some broad beans and courgettes and kept them warm in the conservatory (the green house is full of boxes unrelated to gardening…). 

From there, I did some trading with my friends Kelly & Pete: I gave them some of my plants and they gave me some tomato plants. And that’s how it all started!!

Strawberry

I bought some strawberry plants and as soon as I got home, I wrapped the roots in newspaper and planted them on a sunny spot.

The reason why I used the newspaper is because it will quickly turn into compost but before that, will keep the plant warm at night and moist longer.

I then covered the ground with softwood chips. This, once again, keep the plant warm and moist. But it ALSO keeps the slugs at bay!!

Sophie 1-0 slug

Then, a few weeks ago, after a lot of love and care for my strawberries, they started to turn red! I was as excited as a kid on Xmas day! But, I wasn’t the only one to notice the change: The birds too!

Sophie 0-1 birds

After I discovered a half eaten strawberry in the middle of the garden when I came back from work (And Mister Lapin strongly denying being involved) I decided to fight back! …With a net! Your garden doesn’t look pretty with a net in the middle but at least it works!

Sophie 1-0 birds

We eventually managed to harvest them and enjoy them! I think it was the best strawberries I ever had! They were picked on a warm day and they were sooooooo sweet and full of flavour…

Sophie 999999999 – 0 Nasty birds & bugs

Ta-dah!

Eton Mess

What to do with strawberries...

We've harvested a big bowl of strawberries last weekend from the garden. I’m actually so excited about it that I will have to dedicate a post to my lovely veg patch!!!!

So anyway, the sun was out, as well as the BBQ, and I thought « We need the prefect treat for a day like that! »

Now if you know me well, you will know that my perfect meal usually include homemade burger and… Eton Mess! I love the freshness of the strawberries, the sweetness of the meringue and the creaminess of the… cream! 

Here is my recipe the way I love it!

Ingredients

·      500gr strawberries

·      450ml double cream

·      200ml Greek yogurt

·      3tbsp caster sugar

·      6 meringue nest (unless you have time to do it yourself)

·      ½ vanilla pod

Method

Wash the strawberries, hull them and slice them (depending of the size) Put in a bowl and cover with caster sugar. Store in the fridge.

* The reason I do that is because the sugar is going to melt in the strawberry juice, creating a coulis.

Wisk the double cream and store in the fridge for an hour.

Slowly Mix the strawberries and sugar. Add the vanilla seeds. Add the yogurt and wiped cream. Toss everything together slowly to create… a mess! Store in the fridge with cling film.

When ready to serve, add the crushed meringue to the mixture and enjoy!

Ta-dah!