bbq basics

“The backyard barbecue is fast becoming the nation’s number one hobby…the easy informality of service under the wide sky makes even the most elaborate patio party seem carefree. The taste of charcoal broiled meats is so delicious that many of us no longer let the end of summer mean good-bye to the cook-out. Call it barbecue, steak fry, patio party, hot dog roast or cookout – it is one of the best ways to entertain two or twenty…”

Words and pictures from Betty Crocker’s Outdoor Cookbook – all you need to make al fresco fabulous…

dainty dishes

Hey blog pals – what is the most oddly named recipe you’ve ever seen?

Here are some new contenders from Davis Dainty Dishes (all containing Davis Gelatine):
Tipsy Rascals
Moonshine Biffs
Brain Delicious
Passionfruit Swansdown

the gm menace

Foodies of Australia unite! We have as right to know what is in our food, so we can choose what to buy, cook, and eat. Take a moment to sign this True Food petition to safeguard our environment, health, and food supply.

As for moi, there is no room for GM foods in my kitchen, or in my workplace – but if produce isn’t properly labelled, how can I be sure? Don’t really want GM crops grown here either, to be honest…

For more info about True Food Network, and how to avoid GM when shopping, click here.

anytime’s martini time!

…especially if it’s a Pink Martini!

Got up this morning, feeling tres ho-hum – but a few tracks from their promo CD soon fixed that.

shake the bottle, wake the olive

Check out this sweet booklet from Spain – no idea how old it is, but I just love the illustrations…

Proudly brought to you by the Institute for the Foreign Publicity of Olive Products.

spice up your wife

…with these Malaysian treats! I don’t know exactly how spicy salted shrimps flavour will change the colour of your day, but at a mere $2.50, surely it’s worth a try?

Available from Yang Yang Grocery and all good asian supermarkets.

No, I haven’t tried them yet – but I appreciate the instructions. They tell me to

“eat soon after opening to avoid losing crispness.”

What are wife cakes anyway?

easy does it

Feeling a little lacklustre today, blog pals. I’m going to do some dishes, then make some miso soup for lunch. If anything else happens, it will be a bonus. Oui, tres yawnsville por vou reading this, but I’m fresh out of pizzazz.

Pic of the day: one of my recent finds at Vintage Cookbooks.

biscuit happy time

After a pretty heavy morning, I sought refuge at Yang Yang Groceries. The crowded aisles and sheer volume of things to look at make for a fun retail experience. What was that? Round the corner, past the vegetarian mushroom fluff, a whole aisle of biscuits. Chippy chips, happy pandas (much happier away from Greyjing, I’m betting), power butter cookies, and…

I wonder how they do that? Haven’t noticed it kicking in, maybe I’ll eat a few more. Mmm, biscuit therapy. At least I managed without these…

super soul sister

It’s a chilly Northcote evening, and I’m kicking back with some vino and my new Erma Franklin album. Erma isn’t with us any more, but her sound is unforgettable.

Recorded in 1968, Super Soul Sister is a sweet and solid album. Unlike her younger sibling, Erma struggled with her career, and seemed to have the worst luck with record companies. Click here for video footage (Sweetest Feeling, recorded in 1999).

night walk

Strolling home in the moonlight – dandelion clocks glowing. What time is it? Scarcely matters when snails cross my path diagonally, in no particular hurry. Tree shapes shadow the pavement and hedges smell wet in the breeze…Diosma flowers loom large as I head for home, where the porch light is on and soup bubbles on the stove. Nothing better than smiles and warm hugs at day’s end. Hope all is well in your world blogpals?

Vetti x