Overwintering Chilli Plants
I’ve been getting asked what to do with chilli plants now that the weather has turned wintery, I will be honest and say this year I have composted all but two, mainly because I was lazy but also because I want to try some new varieties next year (after all I have hundreds)
If however you aren’t lazy like me and want to keep your plants alive over winter, then it is really easy and can be done in a few steps.
- Take any chillis that are still on the plant, if they haven’t ripened put them on a bright windowsill
- Cut the plant back so that all you have left is about 12-15cm of the main stem.
- Wrap the pot in bubblewrap to help insulate it and then place in a warmish but light place, If you have a greenhouse they will be fine in there otherwise a windowsill, conservatory or near some patio doors would be fine.
- Now leave alone until it starts to show signs of life in February/March
Just remember not to water the plant, if you do you may rot the roots.
I will upload some pictures later as soon as I have cut my two plants back.
In the mean time if you have any questions please let me know!
Prawn Saganaki
This isn’t strictly a chilli recipe and it’s probably not traditional Greek due to my tweaks, but it does have chilli flakes and Tabasco in and taste blooming lovely
I found it on Leigh’s blog the other week, made it and thought it was awesome, made it again with a few tweaks, so I have decided put it on here too.
For those of you who haven’t seen Leigh’s blog you should check it out – it has some really awesome recipes on there (he likes his beer too)
Serves 2.
Ingredients
- 1 tin of chopped tomatoes with herbs
- 1 large red onion
- 1 red pepper
- 1 green pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree
- 1 or 2 tablespoons of Tabasco
- 1 tablespoon of Balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
- 2 Garlic cloves
- Some Good Olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- Teaspoon of honey
- Black pepper
- 2 teaspoons of Oregano
- 1 teaspoon of thyme
- Packet of fresh/raw king prawns (the grey ones)
- 1 block of feta cheese, cubed into roughly 8 or so cubes.
- Handful of green beans
Method
- Make the sauce by frying the onions, beans and peppers in the Olive Oil and tomato puree until soft, Add the tomatoes, stir, add Balsamic Vinegar,Red wine vinegar, Tabasco, Garlic, honey, herbs and pepper and another couple of good glugs of Olive oil. Add bay leaves and simmer gently for anywhere from 15 mins to 30 mins.
- When sauce is to your liking, pour into large casserole or any other kind of baking dish. Place Prawns on top, with cubes of feta arranged throughout.
- Bake at about 180 degrees for about 15 to 20 mins. The feta will crumble slightly and brown, and the prawns will be cooked though.
Serve with Bread and rice for mopping up, and a couple of beers