Watering "Can"

So, 3 hours ago this rather impressive cloud very accurately forecast the current precipitation, thunder and lightning.

Something about the feeling in the air before a good rainstorm ALWAYS makes me want to water the vegetables. I should know better by now.

Today I was feeling particularly frustrated by the total lack of a watering can. I was pondering knocking on some of the doors in our building to see if anyone would lend me their watering can, but then I realised I'm a recycling genius.





Items needed:
4 or 6 pint milk bottle (empty & clean)
Good metal skewer

Simply poke a nice pattern in the lid of the milk bottle with your skewer, some lids might need poking with a heated skewer, mine was great without heat which is lucky as we only have an electric hob.

Now I have a beautiful watering jug. So exciting.
This baby has the added bonus of being squeezable which is great for increasing flow as the holes are quite small but larger holes would make it too dribbly, I think.

Below is a little shot of the plants getting a good soaking. It really is very satisfying.

For those of you who are dairy free or don't have a boyfriend who drinks milk like its going out of fashion, I'm really sorry. You'll have to raid the neighbours bin, or buy a jug of tropical juice instead.

Leek and Potato Soup

This recipe starts with fridge leftovers. As all good meals should.  Some reduced price Leeks, a bag of potatoes and a few other bits and pieces. I happened to watch a cooking show yesterday - Ree Drummond The Pioneer Woman Cooks. She cooked some incredible looking beans and corn bread. Recipe here -Campfire Beans.

So here it is:

2 whole Leeks
1/2 Red onion
8-10 medium potatoes
2 pints of good stock (Marigold Bouillon is my fave)
1 medium sweet potato
Any other stock veg you have lying about such as Celery, Onion, Carrot

Chop everything roughly.
Fry off the veg in some butter until soft, add a bit of salt.
Add chopped potatoes and stock.
Simmer until the potatoes are soft and breaking up. 25minutes or so.
Blend until smooth.

Season with salt and pepper,  add cream if you fancy. Serve.

If you want a tasty bean centre, follow the bean recipe above in advance and then serve together.  I made a simple version with some fancy Heinz beans, smoked paprika and left over sticky chilli roast chicken. Just fry some smoked paprika with garlic and onion or spring onions, add whatever meats, (chorizo, bacon, chicken are all good) add some baked beans and heat through. Dump in the middle of the hot soup and eat. I'd highly recommend Ree's Corn bread with it too, would work really well. If fact any fresh bread would be fantastic, sourdough or soda bread, some kind of beet or potato bread. Anything really, with a good layer of butter.

I only just finished eating and I'm making myself hungry again. Oops.