Selwyn Times: August 07, 2019

More documents

Recommendations

Info

28 Wednesday August 7 2019 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Gardening SELWYN TIMES Prepare the soil for planting potatoes WITH THE promise of spring just around the corner, it’s time to be thinking ahead. August is the month to prepare soil for when the weather becomes brighter. Potatoes Such a staple and stalwart crop, you need to start gearing up for the upcoming potato-planting season. Those of you who know your spuds will already have seed potatoes quietly “chitting” away somewhere cool indoors. Once the sprouts are finger length and the soil has warmed a smidge, they can be planted out in September. The sprouting phase does take four to six weeks; hence you need to get a wriggle on if you want fresh new potatoes in December. While the seed spuds are sprouting, take an hour or two to prepare the soil, work it over with a fork, blend in well-rotted compost and, a week before planting, work through some potato fertiliser. Adding the spud food prior to planting prevents burning the delicately sprouted seed potatoes. Vegetables If your patch has been vacant THINKING AHEAD: If you want potatoes for Christmas, they should be planted next month. In the meantime it’s time to get the soil ready. Daffodils should be making an appearance soon, dust off your vases and remember to change the water every third day. over winter, now’s the time to get it ready for spring planting before the soil warms up. Hoe off weeds and, when the soil isn’t boggy, turn it over and blend in layers of compost or sheep pellets – one or the other, not both. Then, rake it level and leave to settle for a few weeks. Seedlings to plant out now include silver beet. Look for brightly coloured hybrids or the mega-sized ‘Ford Hook Giant’, which can grow stems up to 1m long. Rows of radishes can go in, too. Try white ‘Hailstone’ for something different, or stick to the reliable round red ones. Remember, both the leaves and roots can be eaten. Asparagus crowns are dormant and ready to be planted. Look for the biggest and fattest clumps, and avoid anything that are dry and withered. Spring flowers With the official start of spring just around the corner it is time to start dusting of those vases and filling them with spring flowers such as daffodils, snow drops, hyacinths, anemone, ranunculus and irises. When picking these flowers, only pick the flower stem. Leave the foliage in the ground and allow it to die down naturally, as this supplies the hard-working bulb all the nutrients it needs to produce flowers for next season. Fill the vase to the top with water and change it every third day. Use your outdoor living areas all year round • Warm & dry in winter • UV protection for summer • Stylish & permanent • 5 year warranty “AS SEEN ON TV” Chris Thorndycroft 15 months INTEREST FREE Phone 0274 211 079 | www.archgola.co.nz Normal lending criteria apply Needing Landscaping? • Landscape Design • Decks/Pergolas/Paving • Irrigation Systems • Plant Supply & Planting • Ready/Hydro/Artificial Lawn • Digger & Truck Hire The Landscape Specialists Prompt and professional service by experienced staff Phone: 03 349 4363 Email: greenscapes@xtra.co.nz www.greenscapes.co.nz
SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Wednesday August 7 2019 29 Tasty Bites Moreish treats using oats and rice flour Chock full of fruits, seeds, and oats, this muesli bar recipe by Joan Bishop is a healthy treat. The fat content and added sugar is low and the tastes and textures of the fruits and spices blend with and enhance the slightly nutty flavour of wholegrain oats. Then top it off with a decadent yet delicate black rice steam cake Pineapple muesli slice Makes 40-44 slices Ingredients 50g butter, chopped 3 Tbsp honey 425g can crushed pineapple in juice, well drained 3 Tbsp lime juice 140g crystallised ginger, chopped 120g dried apricots, chopped 120g dried pineapple pieces, chopped 1 large egg, size 7, lightly beaten 100g pumpkin seeds 100g sunflower seeds 100g desiccated coconut 140g whole grain oats 100g standard flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground nutmeg THERE’S NO denying that sport utility vehicles are the cars of choice for today’s buyer. Sales figures globally are heavily biased in that direction. The choice is overwhelming, especially in the mid-size sector. If family or recreational requirements facilitate the need for an SUV, but you want something just a little bit different in your purchase- something biased towards sporty - then Skoda has the car for you, the Kodiaq RS. The Kodiaq has been with us for a year or so now, and it lands here in three variants, an entry-level model at $44,990, a high-grade Sportline at $64,990, and just recently an RS model has joined the ranks. The RS sits at $71,990 and is characterised by its flashy looks, inside and out, and high power driveline. Herein lies a secret. Under the bonnet sits a 2-litre diesel engine, and while you wouldn’t ordinarily expect diesel to be the basis for performance, you have to remember that Skoda, in the past has had many sports models with diesel engines, and I can report that is a concept the company does very well, even in motorsport. Directions Place the butter, honey, crushed pineapple and lime juice in a large saucepan over low heat and stir until melted and mixed. Add the ginger, apricots and dried pineapple. Slowly bring to the boil. Cover with lid and very gently simmer for 5min. Remove from the heat and cool well before stirring in the beaten egg. Preheat the oven to 180 deg C on bake. Line a slice tin (about 20cm x 33cm) with non-stick In the Kodiaq, the turbocharged four-cylinder unit pumps out 176kW and a feisty 500Nm at the bottom end. The latter is the ingredient that makes the RS so special, not only is the specific output high, maximum torque is available from 1750rpm to 2500rpm, which is the area where the engine wants to constantly work. As a result, there is dynamic engine performance, mid-range boost will offer a 4.2sec overtaking time (80- 120km/h), and an off-the-mark time of 7sec to make 100km/h from a standstill. Even if you aren’t in a hurry, there is a constant willingness from the engine that tantalises the driver, and if you take into account there is manufactured exhaust sound which throbs constantly, the RS is hard to drive without wanting to give it some freedom. There are several drive modes, and depending on which is activated the exhaust sound can be encouraged or left in a more subtle tone. The Kodiaq is also a pretty useful off-roader, there are modes which channel power more usefully through the fourwheel-drive platform. baking paper. Combine the pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut, wholegrain oats, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium-sized bowl and mix well. Tip the dry ingredients into the saucepan containing the fruits and stir to mix. This is quite a stiff mixture. Tip into the lined slice tin. Spread out evenly over base of the tin with the back of a spoon or wet hands (mixture does not stick to wet hands). It is important the mixture is pressed down firmly into the tin. There is also another element which adds spice to the driveline, power is channelled through a seven-speed direct shift transmission, and this configuration is one of my favourites. DSG is more of a manual-type gearbox, although there are only two foot pedals; the beauty of this is the lack of load through the transmission, engine power is mostly unimpeded, and with quick shifts the feeling of performance is well enhanced. I took the test car through some of the tight, hilly roads close to Sheffield, and although the weather had closed in and the roads were greasy I felt at ease in the RS. Grip in the first instance is supplied by sticky Pirelli Scorpion tyres (235/45 x 20in) and they offer substantial steering feel along with direct turn-in. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35min until set and lightly golden. Do not overcook. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the tin. Leave overnight before slicing, if time permits. Using the baking paper edges, lift the slice from the tin and place on a chopping board. Cut into squares or oblongs as desired. Black rice steam cake Serves 8 Ingredients 200g butter 250g black glutinous rice flour 6 large eggs 250g (generous cup) caster sugar ½ tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 2 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk ½ tsp vanilla extract Directions You’ll need a cake tin and a steaming pan or basket large enough to hold it. Melt the butter and use a little to grease the inside of the cake tin well. Dust with just a little black flour to help stop the cake sticking. Start the water boiling underneath It has to be remembered the Kodiaq has traditional SUV handling, it sits high at almost 1.7m, and with long-travel suspension it isn’t as nimble as a sedan, however, the spring and damper rates arrest body movement well, along with the parameters that allow for high occupant comfort. You’d expect nothing less from this Czech Republic manufacturer which has drawn significant build quality direction from the Volkswagen group. Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects the RS offers is the point-to-point ability, it will lunge out of corner and blast without lag through the paddle shift system to the point where speed needs to be chiselled off, high grade brakes take care of that and with the grip naturally associated with four-wheel-drive the steamer so it is ready for the cake. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar and salt to get a frothy mixture with the sugar dissolved. Stir in the black glutinous rice flour and baking powder. Stirring as you go, gradually add the condensed milk, the vanilla extract and finally the melted butter. Keep stirring until the mixture is smooth and velvety. Pour into the cake tin and sit in the steaming basket. Wrap the lid with a clean tea towel – this will stop water dripping on to the cake and create a tight seal. Steam over a medium-low heat (making sure there is always water in the pan). How long it takes depends on the size and shape of your pan – between 25-40min. Check every 5min or so towards the end of the cooking time. The top should be gently springy with not too much wobble below; then poke in a skewer to check the middle has a delicate crumb rather than raw batter. Remove from the steamer and leave to cool for 10min in the tin before turning out on to a rack to cool. Serve with strawberries. Kodiaq RS continues Skoda sport tradition Motoring Ross Kiddie SKODA KODIAQ RS: Sporty variant with diesel engine. • Price – Skoda Kodiaq RS, $71,990 • Dimensions – Length, 4699mm; width, 2087mm; height, 1685mm • Configuration – Fourcylinder, four-wheel-drive, 1968cc, 176kW, 500Nm, seven-speed automatic. • Performance – 0-100km/h, 7sec • Fuel usage – 7.7l/100km the RS feels well attached to the road, it is dynamic and forceful when asked to respond. This is all from a car which has a vastly different role to play as well, it is the quintessential mid-size seven-seater that also looks after its occupants in terms of fitment and specification and safety. At $72k it needs to be well appointed, and I can report it leaves little to chance. It also has fuel economy on its side, Skoda claims a combined cycle average of 7.7-litres per 100km (36mpg). It takes a very special car to win the New Zealand Motoring Writer’s Guild Car of the Year Award and the Kodiaq took honours for 2017. Obviously, that recognition speaks for itself, the RS adds another ingredient into the equation, it certainly captured my attention with its performance, economy yet practicality all thrown in for good measure.
Page 1 and 2: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 Connectin
Page 3 and 4: SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch ne
Page 17 and 18: Selwyn Times Latest Christchurch ne
Page 27: $7.90 incl. GST SELWYN TIMES Latest
Page 37 and 38: THe BeST PRoPeRTieS AcRoSS THe SeLW
Page 39 and 40: 3 NEW ZEALANDERS TRUST Voted Reader
Page 41 and 42: 5 Hastings McLeod Limited Licensed
Page 43 and 44: 7
Page 45 and 46: 9
Page 47 and 48: 11
Page 49 and 50: M-A MATSON & ALLAN REAL ESTATE LIMI
Page 51 and 52: 15 this Week’s 12.45pm - 1.15pm 1

Selwyn Times: August 07, 2019

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?