Green Tomato Sauce

We were the grateful recipients of several loads of green tomatoes this year.  Just as well, our entire tomato yield was 3 ripe tomatoes and a balancing amount of green ones.

I keep forgetting where we get our recipes from so this will be the first in a series of posts recording what we made, where it came from and any deviations from the original recipe.  I probably should have recorded yield etc, but I didn't.

RECIPE:  Green Tomato Sauce

SOURCE:  The Australian Women's Weekly Home Library. The Book of Preserves. Australian Consolidate Press, 1990.  p. 106.

DEVIATION 1:  used our own red wine vinegar instead of brown vinegar - softer, sweeter, more complex flavour as result.

DEVIATION 2:  in second batch added a couple of sliced green chillis. 

NEXT TIME:  Add more chilli.

12 in 11 April Update

This month I appreciate, very clearly, the value of thrift.

With one of the dogs requiring several surgeries and associated costs, having savings to fall back on was immensely comforting.  Doesn't make parting with more money than I've ever spent on anything apart from real estate any easier, but it is comforting.

I'm also glad of the extra discipline the 12 in 11 challenge has given me.  In order to replenish the savings, I'll need to be more careful than ever, and as op-shopped clothing is a particular indulgence of mine, this challenge is now an economic necessity.

QUOTA USED:

1 fine wool black jumper (Maggie T brand for the Aussies).  I know I'm a knitter, and that's what makes it possible for me to know that this fine knit in a quality brand was an absolute bargain at $4.  Mixes and matches with my work wardrobe for winter layers and cared for properly will see many more seasons.

Quota used 6/12.  Half my quota used in 4 months.  Sounds a lot but is less than I'd buy on a good op-shopping day normally.  I'm happy with my progress.

EXEMPT ITEMS ACQUIRED:

Last year I bought a man's wool and silk blazer at Salvos.  It fit well around the hips and was a good length in the body, but the shoulders were too wide and the sleeves too long.  I'm a good home dressmaker, but I'm know my limitations and resetting the sleeves in a lined jacket of this quality is beyond them.  I had a local tailor recut and reset the sleeves. The jacket cost me $25 plus  $85 for the tailoring.  $110 for a tailored to fit wool and silk jacket that looks great with jeans and boots to dress up a casual outfit.  Love it. Worth it.

Creating has been for other people this month and will continue for a while yet.