Very sophisticated solar oven

We have been experimenting a lot with solar cooking.     

(Check it out on the blog pure--essentials)

I must say I love the idea of creating a amazing meal without using any electricity. Its easy, hassle free, will not burn and of course its free.

To date we have successfully made a roast chicken, beef stew, roasted chicken pieces and honey mustard chicken.

I believe it is also wonderful for baked product like muffins and breads, although I have not tried it yet.

Here is the process ;-)

Place raw, seasoned chicken in a pot. Use a heavy cast iron pot as it keeps the heat better.

Now for the sophisticated bits ;-)

Place pot on a rack to allow air circulation under the pot.

Place pot and rack into a oven bag and seal well.

Take a car windscreen reflector and fold into a funnel shape.

I have a super complicated system which utilises a laundry peg in the front.

Leave in direct sun light for as long as you would a slow cooker.

Here is the temp after 15 minutes. Most slow cookers cook on temp between 70 - 150 C.

The chicken cooked in the sun for around 6 hours (as you would in a slow cooker).

These went down really well with the boys.



 Here is the beef stew I did a few days earlier, sorry for the rubbish photos :-( 

Slightly browned beef

Add pan drippings with a bit of water, herbs and spices

Thicken the sauce and its done, ready to serve!





Old jeans....... into WHAT???!!

 Farm life has definitely been agreeing with me. As the weight drops off I have some fat clothes to get rid of. I don't like to waste, so please meet my new herb friends LOL 

 These made us giggle the whole weekend! LOL

I'm thinking of doing a whole row of herb friends along the veggie garden fence.

Veggie garden update

I am sooo proud of my garden. It is doing really well, there are no pests, weeds or problems.

What? That does not happen.

We have had a steady supply of greens, baby spinach, rocket, a variety of lettuce. I have only used organic heirloom seeds and there is a massive taste difference. Here is 1 days harvest of Lazy housewife beans, which are not my favorite. The seed dates back to 1865 and is completely unchanged. It is such a wonderfully generous bean, i have already canned 4 jars because of the surplus.

Peas glorious peas! My boys love these, juicy, sweet and crunchy. They often wonder around the garden with pockets full of pea pods.

 They don't usually make it to the table.

and still lots more to come

  Some tomatoes are maturing but the majority still to be planted, my heirloom armish paste tomato had failed and I needed to start again. It will be a little late but thats ok. there is plenty to keep us happy in the garden.

Carrots are regularly thinned out and used, yum!

 I planted 2 varieties of cucumbers, 1 for salads (Lebanese cucumbers) they are sweet and apparently burpless, the second one is a pickling type. I'm looking forward to pickling them when the time comes.

 I must say this one really amazed me! I can honestly say that I had forgotten what cauliflower REALLY tastes like. Danny never liked it but now he asks for cauliflower. Its fantastic!