A Carrot Tip from Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver is a lot nicer than Gordon Ramsay. I know this because I’ve seen them both on TV.

I’ve recently been enjoying recipes from his book “Jamie at Home”.

One of the things that makes this book special is his passion for ingredients, with each chapter showcasing an individual ingredient. He’s a lucky guy to own such a wonderful vegie patch, and he’s got some great tips on growing vegetables and preparing food.

Did you know that you shouldn’t peel carrots? According to Jamie much of the flavour and nutrients in them sits just under their skin, so the best way to prepare carrots is to scrape the skin off with the back of a knife.

I’v also stumbled upon his website at jamieoliver.com and it’s great. There are loads of free recipes up and even more great food tips from the man.

How To Grow A Herb Garden

A few months back I decided to start a herb garden for my new home. The taste difference is there with fresh herbs, and there’s something about the process that makes you enjoy the food even more. Plus I was tired of paying up to $5 for a bunch of less than fresh herbs from woolies.

I went to the local greenery and picked up a selection of already growing potted herbs:

• Mint
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Rocket (although this is not a herb)
• Parsley
• Coriander
• Chives
• Thyme

All of these cost $40 in total (an average of $4.44 per herb and equal to the prices you can pay at woolies). I also bought 2 27cm pots ($20 each) and 2 bags of suitable potting mix ($20 dollars each). All up it cost me $120, which means that you would only have to use each herb 3 times to be cheaper than buying herbs from woolies.

I went home and planted them a few days later after work. I watered them 2 times a day for the first few weeks and then once a day since, although I have forgotten to water them a few days here and there! Two months later and I have a very healthy herb garden.