afternoon delight {giveaway}

An afternoon, with a small glimmer of winter sunshine cascading in the windows, the slow murmur of the kettle rumbling the water within to boiling point for steaming cups of tea to accompany delicious scones of various colours and tastes.

The delight in afternoon tea is a fond time of the day.  It's not meal time, it can be formal or on a whim, with loved ones or newly met acquaintances and has the excuse of indulging in something sweet as a pick me up you need to get on with the rest of your day.

When Bakers Delight were so lovely to deliver me a selection of their scones, well afternoon tea has never been so delightful!   My kids devoured the choc chip, whilst the husband took to the white chocolate and blueberry which left me very happy to have my favourite date scone all to myself!

With school holidays just around the corner, why not have afternoon on me at of course Bakers Delight!

I have three $10 vouchers to giveaway so to enter.....

Be a follower of this here blog and just leave a comment.... for extra entries, like the Bakers Delight FB page,  repost this giveaway on any other form of social media (Facebook, instagram or twitter) and let me know (one comment for each shout out).  Vouchers only redeemable in Australia.

Three winners will be drawn at random and entries close on Tuesday 2nd July at 9pm. 

xx


Giveaway now closed!  The lucky winners drawn with Random Org are Zara, Provincial Homemaker and Pauline.  Congrats!

life changing

On the weekend the Husband and I packed our bags, our boots and our knives in the name of education and discovery on our food journey.  We joined fourteen other enthusiastic folk who were passionate about understanding another way to approach the food we buy, cook and eat.  Not many times in life would I imagine I would experience a life changing situation like I found myself in.  I have walked away inspired...determined to live with a better respect towards food and how I nurture my family.  In a way returning to basic principles that perhaps your grandparents and mine would have adopted.  

Our weekend was filled with talk of food, foraging, hunting and taking from nature what you need and only what you need.  There was laughter around the campfire as we shared our hopes and dreams in regard to living a semi sustainable life.   A common thread amongst us. 

Ro, our leader, teacher and inspiration was humble as he is candid.  His passion for food, hunting, foraging and respect for sacrificing animals is evident.  He taught us to dispatch chooks and skin rabbits with upmost care and the joy upon his face when searching and spotting mushroom under the pines was palpable.  He loves what he does. 

We have come away with visions for our food future.  This future is ours and it will be what we make of it. 

*Of course these are the "nice" pictures of the weekend.  I will post the not so nice ones on my other blog later in the week, if you so wish to see them.  If not, I understand. 

simplicity {potatoes}

A lazy afternoon soaking up some glorious Autumn sun, the kids giggling and running around in the backyard.  The cool chill making us all peckish for the perfect snack.

I conjured up a plan to turn a humble household vegetable into something to be enjoyed by all.  In four easy steps you can make your own crunchy crispy chips. Here's how....

1. Wash a couple of potatoes, how many is up to you.  Leave the skin on.
2. Using a madolin or slice attachment on your food processor slice them up nice and fine.
3. Put in a bowl and add a small amount of good quality olive oil.  You just want to coat them, not have them swimming in oil..so add a little bit at a time.
4. Place the potatoes on a lined tray and place in a hot oven for about 20 minutes, but it's a good idea to check them every ten minutes.  Taken them out when they are nice and golden and curling up at the sides.   If you like, you can season them now, when they are still hot and you can season them with anything you like.  I did a simple rosemary salt, but you could do lime & pepper, salt & vinegar or chilli & lemon.  the choices are endless.

Then sit back and watch your loved ones devour them up. Yes, it's easy to purchase a packet of chips at the supermarket, but these are so easy to make and taste delicious!

Oh and I'm over at Rohans talking more veg if you want to check it out.

Do you like to make a classic loved snack yourself? 

xx

breathing new life

This week felt very cathartic.  We've spent time away over the holidays on our patch of dirt that we'll soon call home.  Now that we have a pump attached to the bore water, we could plant some trees and plan our orchards.  It feels that each moment we spend on this country plot we are breathing new life into it and creating a small little system that one day will feed my family...

1. A gorgeous salad enjoyed by candlelight
2. Picnic enjoyed outdoors
3. Marvelling at the gift of a new life and celebrating my besties new baby son.
4. Watching him and suddenly catching my breathe at just how much he has grown
5. Roasting chestnuts on the fire on the most perfect Autumnal day

Linking up with Em @ The Shack

xx

a change...

This week (and last) I bunkered down at home and changed things around.  Well, mostly bed linen and just a few bits and pieces, but it's true you know....  A change is as good as a holiday...ok ok perhaps it's not really...a holiday would be nice (and one is one the cards) but I do like changing things around the home, especially when a season is coming to an end and a new one approaching.

1.  My daughters bed now with the quilt that used to be on our bed end.  The vintage pillowcase from my mother-in-law and elephant a gift from by brother during his trip to India.
2. The fallen figs racked up every evening so we don't squish them under foot.
3. She makes him laugh this special laugh that no one else really can
4. In breaking news:  I have a fringe.  And thinking about a return to a few fashion posts on this wee blog here.
5. A embroidered doily, a thrifted glass jar || that's what's adorning my dining table of late
6.  Hallelujah to Friday pizza night.  Home made goodness enjoyed by all.

Do you like changing things around your home?

Joining in with Em @ The Shack 

xx

At our table...

For the past few months I have changed the way we dine.

I used to serve up all our dinner at the kitchen and everyone would receive their plate with their allocted food on it.

I've changed things up and realised that my old way of serving dinner was just not conducive to a happy meal time.

Now....all the parts of the meal are lovingly placed into the centre of the table.  One or both the children share in setting the table, putting out the empty plates, the old jar with our cutlery, handmade napkins and condiments.

I am adjusting the way I cook too.  Smaller quantities but more variety...always some vegetables or a salad or even both. Some fresh bread may be added to a meal, or day old bread turned into bruschetta in the oven.   Leftovers are added to the table to for someone to polish off or are even creatively turned into something else.

Now my family are in charge of what they add on their plate.  Encouraged to try but not forced.  They determine if they want more.  There is an exchange of plates...as we all help ourselves or help each other.

The change has made for real family affair.  Dinner is an event where we are all together, as a family.  We come together to nurture our bodies to discuss our day and relish the time spent together.

How do you do your family meals?

A stylish breakfast affair

Ok so a few weeks ago....My daughter and I were invited along to a Blog Connect event organised by Keep Left and sponsored by Weetbix, Tassals Salmon and Bakers' Delight.   To be quite honest I thought I was going along to bit of cooking demo...something where I didn't have to do much, perhaps try some yummy food and learn a few new techniques.

But no.

I had to cook.  Two dishes.  In about 45 minutes.  And we were judged.

Yeah.  No pressure!

So the key was to come up with a two breaky dishes (one sweet one savoury) using the core ingredients by the sponsors.  Given my little apprentice could not be coaxed into the kids area, she was adamant that pancakes be cooked for our "sweet" option.  Once they were made (with a sneaky crushed up weetbix in the mixture for extra points!) and then devoured by said apprentice I had little time to make my second savoury dish.

With not much time and a daughter whos patience was now running a little thin, I quickly poached an egg, used the Bakers' Delight bread topped with some avocado, Tassals Salmon and got my creative apprentice to sprinkle zest of lemon and chopped up dill all over the egg...we hurriedly presented it to the judges.

What do you know... our dish won for Food Style Award!

I made the dish again (to check it really wasn't a fluke) and so that I could actually get to eat it and enjoy it.

You should try it.  Whats your favourite Stylish Breakfast Dish?

xx

Chicken and Spinach Terrine

I love bacon. In fact, I love it that much that I reckon I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner....you know big cook up for brekky, a club sandwich for lunch and perhaps a risotto (with bacon of course!) for dinner!  So it's no surprise that when I'm perusing recipes, if bacon is included, I tend to read the entire recipe and drool over how it might taste.  I have to say it was the bacon wrapped description of this delightful terrine that grabbed my attention and I knew I had to try this baby out.  I mean, this terrine is like it's gift wrapped especially for me, but the bonus is I get to eat the wrapping as well!

This terrine didn't disappoint at all.  It's not a dish you can whip up with no planning.  It needs 24 hours to rest after cooking, but the actual cooking is easy peasy (with no fancy equipment required besides a stir here and there) and with each day, this terrine gets tastier and tastier!  The only change I made to the actual recipe was using chicken thighs diced, instead of chicken mince.  I like the different textures of the pork mince and chicken chunks, but use all mince if you fancy.  I have also used green peppercorns as I couldn't find pink peppercorns in my supermarket, but you are lucky to come across some I think either will do.

This terrine makes a fabulous picnic food and I shared with one of my food loving friends and we talked about how perfect it would be for our Australian Summer Christmas menu (as it's served cold) and all the variations that are possible.  We are already planning variations with asparagus, capers, or semi dried tomatoes or even pistachio nuts.  Really the choices are endless!

Here is what you need....


Ingredients

3 bay leaves
10 rashers of bacon, rind removed
1/2 bunch of spinach
olive oil
1 brown onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
500g chicken thighs, diced
300g pork mince
1 tbsp pink (or green) peppercorns (in brine), drained
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tsp salt
1/4 cup vermouth

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C and line a base of a loaf tin or if you have a non stick bend n bake, use that. Put the bay leaves along the bottom then line the bacon rashers making sure they overlap the edges as you'll be wrapping up your terrine later.
2. Clean your spinach and cut the stalks off, you only want the leaves. Heat the oil in a pan and over medium heat cook the onion and garlic until soy and then add the spinach and cook covered for a further 2-3 minutes.  If the mixture is watery, drain the liquid from this mixture.  You can also cut up the spinach a bit at this point.
3. In a bowl, place the mince, diced chicken, peppercorns, egg and salt.  Add the spinach mixture and stir to combine. Spread mixture into the bacon-lined tine then fold the bacon over the filling.  Cover the tin with foil and place the tin in a baking dish and fill with boiling water half way up the tin.
4. bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Remove the tin from the baking diss and let it stand for an hour.  Drain off the excess liquid, and pour over the vermouth.  Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Drain off any excess liquid and turn onto a cutting board.  Cut into 1cm slices and enjoy with salad, chutney and crusty bread!

Enjoy

Ricotta Cannoli

It seems I have a penchant for sweet treats that can be whipped up in no time.  These ricotta cannoli I am proud to say are my own tried and tested version, and so far I have not come across a recipient that has not enjoyed them.  Now, at my local italian patisserie a ricotta cannoli might set you back four or five dollars a pop...but doing them yourself makes for a great dessert and the best bit is the shell doesn't get soggy!

Here is what you need...

Cannoli shells (easy to find at any italian grocers)
500g ricotta (please try and get the good stuff at your deli)
some icing sugar
nuts or grated chocolate of your choice (I used some flaked up flake!)

Spoon the ricotta into a bowl and then, adding a tablespoon at a time mix in some icing sugar, tasting regularly until you reach the required sweetness.  using a teaspoon, fill the cannoli shells with the ricotta mixture.

Crush up your nuts or grate the chocolate onto a shallow dish and then sprinkle or dip the ends of the cannoli in it.

There you have it!  These cannoli served perfect with an expresso,  even your afternoon cuppa!  And don't be scared to add other things into the mix.  The southern italian's love adding glace fruits to the mixture and some crushed pistachio's would be a great nut to dip the ends into!

Have fun
xx

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