When I am putting together recipes and photos for Graziher magazine I have a completely self-imposed policy of trying to keep everything as seasonal as I possibly can, preferably with produce from my garden. I will never feature tomatoes for a winter issue because for me, it just doesn’t feel natural. Due to the nature of magazine publishing this means that I am always working a full twelve months in advance. For example, right now I am putting the finishing touches on spring recipes for 2019.
For some time I have had an idea for a recipe that revolved around mulberries. All was looking very promising as I watched our unruly tree forming healthy green leaves and then tiny green berries.
And then suddenly, in the middle of the drought, on the 3rd October it rained. Of course the rain was welcome but with the rain came incredibly strong winds that knocked a lot of my mulberries to the ground. I panicked, I had plans for that fruit! I put out a call to any local friends who might have mulberries and some generous friends came to my rescue. Fast forward a few weeks and now the tree has recovered from the wind damage and is covered in dark purple fruit. Perhaps nature had a plan after all.
While I have been recipe testing I made a mulberry and almond scroll with a piece of dough left over from sourdough baking. If you are interested in trying this but perhaps sourdough isn’t your thing, you could substitute the dark chocolate for around 100 g of mulberries and a handful of flaked almonds using this recipe . At first the dough turned alarmingly purple but tasted sweet and browned up nicely once it was cooked. The almonds and some sprinkled brown sugar gave it a little crunch.
In other news, can we talk about real mail for a moment? I am sure many of you already follow the incredibly talented Naomi Bulger . My friend Jodie recently sent me a letter inspired by the work of Naomi. I cannot tell you how much this little package meant to me, complete with seeds from Jodie’s garden, thermos stickers and proper news from her world. And genuine questions about my world and words of encouragement and understanding. I have only met Jodie once in real life, but our lives are connected through several different communities and pathways. I tend to send a lot of text messages and emails and occasionally cards but real letters are a rarity. Thank you Jodie, you are a special friend. All mail should be this magical.
That is it from me. I hope you have something delicious to cook today or perhaps a pretty letter to write.
Do you have a mulberry tree?
Happy Sunday, friends x
Lenore
How lovely to receive a thoughtful letter. I remember the excitement when mail would arrive on the train at Roto
In the 70’s and when that stopped twice a week by the mailman including any groceries etc we needed from town. I just remembered Joe our mailman would also include fresh milk from his cow when he had a surplus. Other than a small appreciation gift at Christmas this was the only payment made to our wonderful mail man.
Jane S
Mailmen are important people in the bush aren’t they Lenore? Even today, with all of our communications our once a week mail drop is highly anticipated! I am sure your mailman would have appreciated those Christmas gifts.
Cheryl
Real mail…what’s that LOL!
I don’t have a Mulberry tree…yet! But I have just started an Orchard of my very own, and a Mulberry tree is on the list!
I’ll get back to you in a few years when I’m cooking with my very own fruit! 😂
Jane S
Good mulberry growing Cheryl!
Francesca
Hi Jane, after enjoying this lovely post, and dreaming about the delicious mulberry scrolls, I flicked over to that link to Naomi’s site. what a surprise- the hand coloured envelopes brought back so many memories. My father used to hand colour little designs and war cartoons when he was in New Guinea during WW2. He sent my mother a letter every day for 3 years and she save all the envelopes, displaying them in a black photograph album. He also used to sell a few to his mates. Now I am on a mission to find them at her home before they go astray.
Jane S
Oh my goodness Francesca, that is an incredible story. How precious. I hope you can find them and preserve them.
Kate
I must get my hands on that magazine one of these days, I’d love to hold your words and beautiful photos in my hands. I”ve always wished for a mulberry tree but have never been able to grow one here. Gorgeous mail from Jodie too. xx
Jane S
Thank you Kate x
Kate B
I am a sucker for a scroll Jane! Yours looks devine. I have been taking part in an Instagram postcard swap that has led to me sending and receiving cards from all over the world. Lots of fun, new virtual friends and it makes checking the letterbox a pleasure xx
Jane S
Thank you Kate, real mail is always welcome in the letterbox…along with the ‘occasional’ cheeky parcel x
The Napoli Alert
I adore mulberries. But they are hard to come by in Sydney, I pounce on them if I see them at a farmers market. But problem solves, I have now bought a couple of trees which are thriving and hope to have my own huge crop next year. Adore that letter, what a thoughtful – and very talented – friend.
Jane S
Your mulberry trees sound wonderful, thank you!
Judy Cinerari
Always look forward to your posts. I send my 3 year old granddaughter letters regularly. Although I see her 2 or 3 times a week, I know she loves to walk down to the mailbox to see if there is a letter. The thrill of a postcard, some stickers or sunflower seeds bring both of us great joy.
Jane S
Small pleasures Judy! Thank you.
Anne Bartholomaeus
I too write letters and stories to some grandchildren. Ah memories of a huge mulberry tree on the edge of our childhood orchard. One can never forget the warm purple juice staining everything, but there is nothing quite like a plate of icy cold mulberries covered in fresh scalded cream! A wonderful reward for all that picking and mosquito swatting…eek!
Jane S
Such a precious memory Annie x
Karen
Thank you Jane I love reading your posts! Your recipes are wonderful and I always find inspiration! Happy Sunday to you too, and may the rains come plentifully and gently. 🥖🌿🦋
Jane S
You are kind Karen, thank you.
ewe beauty
How lovely to get snail mail Jane …. I still love it to, and have great delight in receiving love letters from 3 grandchildren ( girls!) who just love sending me letters… then of course I must reply !… with lots of little drawings, stamps etc ( I feel a bit like Beatrix Potter!?) mulberries are the best, still have memories of the GIANT tree one on the banks of the Anabranch at Cuthero
ewe beauty
How lovely to get snail mail Jane …. I still love it to, and have great delight in receiving love letters from 3 grandchildren ( girls!) who just love sending me letters… then of course I must reply !… with lots of little drawings, stamps etc ( I feel a bit like Beatrix Potter!?) mulberries are the best, still have memories of the GIANT tree one on the banks of the Anabranch at Cuthero .
(OH! just read Annie’s comment !)
Jane S
We would all be better off with some more Beatrix Potter in the world Trish! xx
Alison
A letter in the mail is like a long lunch, an email is like a quip thrown over the partition at work. My friend and I have been writing since 1993. For the first ten years it was weekly and now, our lives so busy with children and work, it is monthly. I have all her letters stored in a suitcase, and she has kept all mine. I love writing letters, giving small gifts in the mail box.
Jane S
What a wonderful friendship Alison, thank you.
Anne
We’re about to plant some fruit trees and have been debating whether to include a mulberry – it may just have positioned itself higher on the list now! Your mulberry scrolls look delicious. I’ve been trying to write more letters recently because I love getting them in the post. The trick is to address and stamp the envelope first and then (because I hate to waste a stamp) I make the effort to write the letter. The envelope you received looks great.
Jane S
I love the addressing and stamping trick Anne, great motivation!
kate
I pointed out the most magnificent mulberry tree to a friend who was house-sitting in a Sydney suburb a month back. It was flush with green berries and I was pretty envious of this magnificent specimen being on her verge. She had no idea it was even there. We had the most glorious weeping mulberry in the garden growing up and I always meant to plant one here, but there was the millennial drought and the coast’s water source was hit hard. I started converting the garden to things that wouldn’t need much water, so a mulberry was out. I’ve never revisited the plan. I haven’t seen many here either, I am not sure why. Perhaps the wildlife would have too much fun. We have bats and the birds would have a field day. Your scrumptious mulberry scrolls look mouthwatering.
Jane S
Thank you Katie, yes it is popular fruit for the birds…and our pet goat loves the fruit too!