Due to my previous disaster with my cold frame, there is still nothing growing in it, although I have managed to dry some onions in it.
As I have nothing to write about my cold frame I thought I may as well share a recipe that I cooked a couple of weeks ago using almost entirely ingredients from the garden.
Garden Vegetable Risotto
Ingredients
½ tbsp Olive Oil
3 Onions
4 Cloves of Garlic
8 Green Peppercorns
2 Red Chillies
4 Courgettes
4 Carrots
10 Runner Beans
½ tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Basil
5 Fresh Tomatoes
500g Pork (or other meat)
300g Rice
Splash of Red Wine
Preparation
Cube the pork, chop the vegetables and chillies and crush the garlic and peppercorns. Wash the rice thoroughly and then place in a saucepan and cover well with water.
In a wok or large pan add the Olive Oil, onions and garlic and fry until they turn translucent.
Add the pork and chillies and chopped fresh tomatoes. Fry until the meat is cooked through
Add the remaining ingredients and bring the mixture to the boil, before reducing the heat and allowing it to simmer. Turn on the heat for the rice and allow to boil for about 10 minutes (until the rice has partially softened). Add the rice and water to the risotto and bring to the boil again.
Reduce the mixture until the rice is cooked and the sauce has thickened.
Hawthorns make a great range of cold frames; they are great looking, robust and highly functional. Being made from solid pressure treated wood they will last without the need to repeatedly apply preservatives. The solid wooden frame also acts like a radiator, storing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night, keeping your precious seedlings warm.