The Parish Magazine May 2021

HOME & GARDEN
Recipe of the month
Cheesy spinach bake
From BBC Good Food Guide
Ingredients*
— 200g pack feta cheese
— 2 x 250g tubs ricotta
— 50g parmesan , grated
— 1 egg
— good grating nutmeg
— 100g breadcrumbs
— 2 tbsp olive oil
— 6 sheets filo pastry
— 3 x 100g bags baby spinach, chopped
— 1 bunch spring onions, finely sliced
*For an option add some ham.
Bible garden topiary
Like many people, gardeners or not, I have looked in
awe of some amazing topiary over the years and always
thought that I would like to try it. Topiary is an art form
that is believed to have started in ancient Rome. The name
‘topiary’ derives from a Latin word for an ornamental
landscape gardener, ‘topiaries’, someone who creates topia
or places.
The first written evidence of topiary is said to be from
44BC. It was through the Roman empire that the art form
spread around the world and became established in the UK,
especially in grand stately gardens.
It seems unlikely that topiary existed in Israel during
Biblical times, although it certainly can be found there now.
However, one of the best plants for topiary is the Box which
is mentioned in Isaiah 41:19, although any evergreen shrub
or tree can be used.
IMAGINATION
On this weak connection, I ambitiously decided to include
some topiary in my Bible garden by cultivating some existing
evergreen plants. I have also planted some small box plants
which are slowly becoming established.
By chance, and with a great deal of imagination — and
much mirth from my family — I decided that one established
plant would make a great camel, and three of the others
could become magi. I knew nothing about topiary and
know little more now! I have discovered that the experts
The topiary camel and (inset) a box moth hungry caterpillar
The Parish Magazine - May 2021 33
Method
Heat oven to 180⁰C/160⁰C fan/gas 4.
Mash feta in a large mixing bowl, add the ricotta and
mash again to thoroughly mix. Stir in the spinach, spring
onions, Parmesan, egg, nutmeg and plenty of seasoning
with half the breadcrumbs.
Brush a 20 x 30cm tin with a little oil.
Layer in half the filo sheets, brushing each with oil before
adding the next. Scatter remaining breadcrumbs evenly
over the base. Spoon in the ricotta filling and gently
spread, so as not to dislodge the breadcrumbs. Cover with
remaining filo, brushing with oil as you go, then score into
portions. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and crisp.
When cool, freeze in individual squares.
Defrost overnight in the fridge and eat cold, or warm in a
microwave.
Work in progress: three magi are slowly taking shape
nowadays use computers and special cutting tools to create
their works of art. I used, and still do, a pair of garden shears,
a pair of secateurs and a great deal of trial and error. It is
probably about 7 years since I started this project, and there
is probably another 7 years to go, but they are now beginning
to take shape and I can honestly say that every Bible garden
needs topiary!
If you try your hand at topiary, give yourself plenty of
time and keep an eye out for box blight and the box moth
which can destroy what are normally hardy, strong plants.
I had been given a tip by a friend that should the box blight
strike the best treatment is to feed them regularly with
a strong solution of Miracle Gro. A few weeks later when
visiting a plant nursery, I saw the devastation box blight
can cause and so last year when some of my new box plants
showed signs of it, I got out the Miracle Gro and applied it
regularly. This spring the plants are looking much healthier.
While the box moth has not been a problem for me, it is
in the neighbourhood — it has been causing problems, or
rather, its caterpillars have, in a neighbour's garden.
Hopefully the small box plants will survive and one day
they will be large enough to create a topiary Nativity scene!