Compost

Yes. Really. Compost.

The kids think it's gross, but I hate putting food scraps into the landfill where it doesn't even break down. I classify myself as 'pale green' when it comes to the environment but aspire to 'mid-green'.

So for many years now, I've composted. Thrown all the food, coals from the fire, cat litter, some garden waste, newspaper, boxes of worms and the occasional bag of lime when it gets smelly into the big black bin that creates a haven not just for worms, but fat slugs, earwigs, beetles and spiders, including the occasional Red Back. Might be why the kids freak out when I insist they need to take the kitchen scraps out. Elle says It's the one thing I don't do - not true, there are plenty of household tasks she doesn't do, just BTW.

But all that composting means every couple of years, I have to do something with it!

It's been opportune, as due to the renovation that I've already bored you senseless with (and is dragging on ad nauseam), I was forced to put a pause on the composting process.

(Know though, that my new kitchen has a four-bin system that I chose to accommodate my waste sorting; recycling, landfill, compost and soft plastics. The latter gets returned to supermarkets I don't shop at - I  just swing past on my way to Aldi to give them my plastic for recycling. They must love customers like me!)

Anyway, the compost was well due for attention. It's a nasty job, as it requires 'sifting' through in small batches to remove the things that haven't or don't decompose. This includes chicken and chop bones, peach and nectarine stones, a squillion fruit stickers (geez I wish they'd stop using those things!!), fancy gauze teabags and their strings that I thought were biodegradable but turn out to be polyester, heaps of nails from the reclaimed timber used in the fire and an assortment of plastics, like bread bag clips, bottle tops and packaging that lazy members of this family have chucked in there because they couldn't be bothered putting it in the bin. (I should make them sift through the compost - that'd fix them!!)

The output of this hideously tedious, unpleasant process was several very satisfying tubs of deliciously rich soil to spread about the garden, repotted and even redo a terrarium - and an empty compost bin so I can start the process again.

Empty Compost bin - yay!!

However, there is one small downside; sprouts. I have tomatoes, pumpkins and god-knows-what popping up everywhere!! Mind you, they're easy to pluck out so guess it's a small price to pay for fabulous, free and environmentally friendly soil.

Roast veggie, rocket and feta salad

Another salad creation - it was great with cold roast turkey in the park on Sunday with the cousins.

Cube and roast with a few splashes of olive oil:

• pumpkin - throw the seeds in too, Kiersten my American friend taught me that - and I sprinkled a generous amount of cumin over it too
• beetroot
• Spanish/red onion
• sweet potato

You could also roast garlic, zucchini, parsnip, carrot - just check what's in the fridge.

Try and keep the beetroot in it's own baking dish - it does stain everything else purple.

Once roasted, allow to cool, then mix through:

• rocket
• goat's cheese feta - crumbled
• a heap of chopped tarragon (this is the magic ingredient)
• loads of lemon juice and grated lemon rind
• salt and black pepper
• more cumin if you like it

Sprinkle generously with toasted pine nuts. (You don't need to add oil as there should be enough from the roasting)

This is another one that could be a meal in itself with a blob of sharp, natural yoghurt and a chuck of crusty olive baguette. And perhaps a glass of something white and crisp...