It was our first time visiting/ ventured out to the country-side. If not for father-in-law visiting at that time.. we would not driven all the way out to the country side... always thinking that 'ahhh it will still be there...why hurry'...
which is true...
Lower Chittering and its Festival will still be happening about the same time every year but we...
WE might not be!!!
What an intro to my post... I do apologise

Lower Chittering is about an hour drive away, journey through meandering... hilly country road. Since it was still Spring, the weather was excellent with blue sky, cool breeze and very scenic... Green landscape as far as the eyes can see with some wild flowers blooming near and far.
Spotted few lonesome tree .. an excellent photography spot to catch either sunrise or sunset.


It was picturesque drive, all the way to the festival ground, like the photo (below).
The photo reminded me of a book about 3 gnomes' journey, out of their comfort zone, to look for their missing brother. I am sure most (especially my fellow readers residing in the UK) must have read this classic book in school.

"The Little Grey Men by B.B"... is the title of the book, first published in 1942.
I could almost see Dodder, Baldmoney and Sneezewort catching little fish for supper  and camping along the banks...resting before continuing their journey in search of their brother Cloudberry...

Could you see them in the photo below??? ;P

Maybe if we reduce the Aussie sun glare a few notch down...perhaps they are there.... somewhere

Lets leave the grey men be... there at Lower Chittering Creek for now.


Taste of Chittering ~ a community fair that displays and sells their fresh produce.
This was where, for the first time I laid my eyes on fruit called Kiwano, with its interesting feature, interesting texture and taste.My daughter was sold when she saw the fruit... (and so was I).


Lower Chittering known for their sweet juicy oranges and other fresh produce.

No festival is complete without displaying locally made jam, preserve, fudge and among many stalls... there was one stall that kids and adults would stand in long queue to have one....
None other ...the ICE-CREAM stall :D

Did you see the writing on the stall... in the photo collage above... 'For the Curious Palate' was emblazoned on the side of the stall...
"LIME and BASIL sorbet”.  I was curious too.

This is the second ice-cream or sorbet that uses basil that I came across!

Remember my post 2 or 3 years ago... Strawberry and Basil Ice-cream ...click photo on the right will take you to the recipe ..

Of course she MUST have Lime and Basil sorbet... I was glad that she did (I get to have a taste too :D )...and look at her!!! eating like an 8 year old ...so messy

My first attempt to replicate the sorbet, turned out to be good. It's soft and rich but...
.... there is always a BUT!!!!

I think it was 2 tad too sweet for my curious palate...
This is not the end... try and try .. I shall :D
... to get the right balance, of sweet and sour, when I harvest my Tahitian limes from my backyard, looks like I am going to have a good harvest ...
more than 20 limes on the tree and still counting.....

Lime and Basil Sorbet

Ingredients

115g /4 oz caster sugar
80ml/ 3 oz lime juice
175ml / 6 oz water
5g/ 0.2 oz finely chopped fresh basil leaves
10g / 0.4 oz egg white powder (optional)
2 tablespoon / 1.4 oz water (optional)

***Using Ice-cream maker. Put the bowl in the freezer overnight or as per manufacturer instructions. 

1. Place sugar and water in heavy saucepan and heat gently. 
2. Stir until sugar dissolved. 
3. Bring to boil (without stirring) for 10 minutes or less until thicken into syrup. 
4. Do not let  syrup go brown. 
5. Meanwhile pare the rind of limes without pith. 
6. Remove syrup from heat and add lime rind. 
7. Leave to cool. 
8. Strain lime juice in to a jug. 
9. Strain the cooled syrup into the jug. 
10. Stir. 
11. Churn the lime juice mixture in the ice-cream maker (following manufacturer's instruction). 
12. In another mixing bowl, whisk egg white powder and 2 tablespoon of water until soft peak. 
13. Add chopped basil into the machine once the syrup starts to take shape as sorbet. 
14. Leave the machine to churn for 10 minutes then add the whisk egg meringue. 
15. Churn for another 10 minutes or until all ingredients mix well. 
16. Transfer to a container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.