It’s Autumn and I have strawberries-also Cheese Toasty Pies

I am not much of a gardener but this year I have been nurturing my pots and they have performed well and still are a mass of colour. For the first time my citrus trees which did have plenty of blossoms have rewarded me with lots of fruit waiting to ripen.
The Seville orange has 13 oranges which isn't bad for a small tree... and the lemon tree has about 30 fruit. The best in all the time we have been living here.

The blossom was promising.

but I am really thrilled with the fruit, one ready to pick already

However the most exciting thing I discovered this morning was strawberries

In April!!! How about that?

There was another fat one hanging in amongst the greenery, I couldn't stop myself it and I ate before I thought of a photograph and it was wonderful. There are about another ½ dozen awaiting us. If the birds don’t get them first.
Anyway onto some more interesting food.

I decided on these little mozzarella pies that I saw James Martin make and they are very tasty. Just a little posh cheese toasty really but a little more stylish.
Easy to make I added mushrooms and sage to mine.
This is a good feed for 2 people

8 slices sandwich bread
100 mls milk
4 slices of mozzarella
Sage leaves
4 small flat mushrooms, stalk trimmed
Olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Rice bran oil for frying

Cut an 8 cm circle out of each slice of bread
Put milk in a shallow bowl
Dip 4 slices one side in the milk and place on board

Put 1 slice of cheese and sage leaves on each circle

Allow and edge on the outside
Meanwhile toss the mushrooms in olive and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Grill till tender and cut to shape of cheese and place on top

Take another slice and again dip1 side into the milk and
Place milk side down on top of mushroom and press together like a ravioli.

Heat about 3 cms rice barn oil in a pan or wok to 180C, drop in the pies and fry until golden brown turn over and the same on the other side

Drain and serve with a green salad or just hold in your hands and go for it.

Cheese Toasty Pies Yes please