oh hungry? oh cheese…
January 30, 2008
Guests on the way, and you’re still on the tram home? Never fear – cheese is here! Check out my speedy Sunday night menu…Joffa was in charge of bbq and drinks, saving me a heap of trouble. Add some crusty bread, mismatched 50s plates, and you’re set.
backyard salad
place a few handfuls rocket and spinach leaves in large bowl
add a sliced lebanese cucumber, a punnet of heritage cherry tomatoes (halved), and most of a jar of marinated fetta (I like Coolart Soft)
sprinkle on a few teaspoons of dukkah (Screaming Seeds is good)
rest 5 minutes at room temp
then make this:
nifty berry parfaits
place a few spoonfuls of raspberries in each parfait glass (I use mostly thawed frozen ones)
top with greek yoghurt (Barambah Organics, which is sweetened), a few cherries, and a cocktail umbrella
place in fridge until required
beer-o-clock
January 28, 2008
What do you drink on a hot Saturday night, that goes perfectly with fish and chips?
Northern Rivers Brewing Company have the answer – handcrafted pale ale. No chemicals, no animal products, no preservatives – just tasty, tasty beer. I enjoyed the bright, clear flavour, and the fine balance of hops and malt. Gorgeous aroma, and just the right amount of bitterness.
Swing by Westgarth Licenced Groceries, give Joe and Ross your money, and take some of this home.
club tropicana
January 27, 2008
What ingredient do people often reach for to create an exotic drinking or dining experience? Yep, pineapple. With or without ham steaks, cocktail umbrellas or coconut shavings, pineapple has been expected to prop up some truly terrible recipes. Here’s one I won’t be making…
Hot stuff from the pages of Woman’s Day (27/6/60) – could you imagine what being Home Economist for a baked bean company would be like?
I do, however, have fond memories of pineapple upside-down cake, some seriously good rum drinks, tinned pineapple jam, and fruit kebabs in pineapple juice.
Bad memories? Anything combining pineapple with Spam, lemon jelly, cream cheese (bonus points if spread on Ritz or Jatz crackers), pizza, punchbowls, or dodgy “Chinese” food.
Here’s some truly creepy meal ideas from the Golden Circle Tropical Recipe Book. So very glad I wasn’t around to sample this cutting edge cuisine in 1967!
Sunny sausages
Sunlit salad
Jellied pineapple silces
try pink phink – you’ll like it!
January 26, 2008
Housemade gelato at the Union Club ( rocky road, watermelon – didn’t try the banana ) – reminded me of hours spent in front of the telly, drinking a Quik milkshake and watching the Pink Panther. If I was very lucky, I’d be eating a Fry’s Turkish Delight bar at the same time. One of my favourite episodes is Pink Phink, which you can see right here.
whenever there’s a snack gap, cheese fits
January 26, 2008
Cheese is your family’s protein insurance, HAVE THEY HAD THEIR CHEESE PROTEIN TODAY?
I’m having a picnic on Monday, and will be packing blue cheese, bread, fruit, and a crisp salad. Can’t wait for that sharp zippy flavour ! If there’s any left, I’ll turn it into a salad with pears for dinner.
This fine pic is an Australian Dairy Produce Board promo (Woman’s Day, 27/6/60)
Unfortunately I can’t tolerate too much wheat, but D.Chirico bread is one of those things I lunge for on “no diet” days.
behold the power of hairdo
January 25, 2008
Still v depleted, but a visit to Di and her magic scissors always makes me feel better.
Other nice things today:
- being suprised out of my coffee-seeking trance by kj
- coffee and chilli omelette at Deelish
- cool floorboards under my feet as I type this
think once, think twice, think calm…
January 23, 2008
The last few days have been a little turbulent. I’m getting through it, but the experience has really exhausted me. Today is better, but somehow I can’t seem to type anything that makes much sense. Maybe I’ll try again tonight.
the knitwear that smiles back
January 22, 2008
Overheard in Bourke St Mall this evening
“Ohhh…baby (hug, air kiss) you look wonderful! I really love your (dramatic pause) knitwear…”
The resulting snog would have melted polyester. Ain’t love grand?
gum thief, take me away…
January 21, 2008
After such a bubbly beginning, I sunk into my own pit of gloom/turbulence. Tossed most of my plans du jour out the window, and sat in the bath. After some time, and many lungfuls of soothing lemon oil, my head is back together, and I’m seized with new energy. Stand aside as I mop, wipe, and de-cobweb my fine abode…
The only other thing I achieved today was to finish reading Douglas Coupland’s Gum Thief. A sweet mix of humour, neurotics, goths, office supplies, and alcohol. There’s also novels, letters, friendship, death and a few packs of chewing gum. The message – you can find solace in modern life, but often where you least expect it. Click here for Crush Inc. videos. These feature passages from the novel – and narration by the author.
Afternoon/evening breezes sweep through my house, more powerful than my nylon broom or mop can ever be. A vase blows over, its shards and willow stems lie broken on the floor. New spiders weave as their cousins are evicted. Life is strange, calm, and beautiful – often all at once.
jens lekman prevents that sinking feeling
January 21, 2008
– with his unique blend of guitar, strings, and samples. The show’s not till March, and I’m tres excited already…Imagine a curious blend of Magnetic Fields, Belle & Sebastian, and Jonathon Richman? Swedish indie pop goodness! The tickets are bought, and wait for me expectantly. If you didn’t get to the Toff show, don’t miss this one.
