
There they are again, those old blackened bananas in the bottom of the fruit bowl. Before I chuck them, I think of the waste and feeling a wee guilty I decide, to not only make some muffins, but to kill two birds with one stone and resurrect the belly. Good ole Growling belly. A couple of years ago I had so much fun keeping this blog, and then, well, along came instagram and I got on the bandwagon of photo blogging life. So here we go, the home’s full of the sweet scent of baked bananas and the blog is humming along.
Read more…

When I was a little girl, there was nothing better for breakfast than my grandmothers Matzah brei, served in a little frypan topped with her own apricot jam. It was so delicious that I knew I just had to be loved beyond measure! Well, this weekend was Easter break and we drove 2 hours out of Melbourne to Thornton to my aunty and uncles farm. Rose spoilt us rotten with 3 delicious meals each day. My favorite was her very own take on Matzah brei made thicker and more cake like, topped with caramelised apples and bananas and loads of honey.
Read more…

That moment when you cut into a light fluffy poached egg, and the creamy yolk spills over layers of toast, smoked ham and avocado, has to be one of my favourites. But how oh how to guarantee that perfect creamy oozy egg? I was delighted to see that Felicity Cloake on the Guardian food blog, had taken it upon herself to really explore all techniques which you can see here.
I decided to try her most recommended technique, the ‘Vortex’ method and was delighted. It not only works perfectly but produces a super professional and pretty tear drop result. My only modification is that I used a small wok for the water as it gives the perfect depth of water and creates a deeper vortex for the egg to poach in. For Sacha and I there was a 3 minute wait between eggs, which was hardly a wait at all, and the first egg was still warm and perfect.
Read more…

The belly has been quiet……because I have been doing the dreaded ‘D’ word. After a few years of eating whatever I want, when I wanted, I piled on a stone, yes, 14 glorious pounds of overindulgence. And something had to be done as I was no longer enjoying that lardy feeling of squeezing into too tight jeans. Also, no matter how much I sucked in the belly, it was always there, a constant reminder that I, the food blogger had eaten her way through a few too many delicious, intoxicating meals. If you look at the thumbnail view of this site, you pretty much see a record of just one years eating. Impressive huh?
Read more…

Not complicated I know, and how much can you say about the humble potato salad, but yes, it does need just the right potato, (an unpeeled Jersey Royal thank you), and a great dressing, not to mention walnuts, spring onions, and gerkhin…
Read more…

Movies have a lot to answer for don’t they? Just think what Jaws did for sharks. This is what ‘From Hell‘ starring Johnny Depp did for Absinthe. Being a big Johnny fan and never having tried Absinthe before, I was filled with just a little trepidation, feeling nervous and excited; such is the myth that surrounds this drink.
The Alchemy of setting fire to transform a simple fluid into something much more compelling I now realise is for effect and not at all the correct and traditional way to drink absinthe. The dear people at the Absinthe Shop, who supplied me with my delicious sample of white Clandestine Absinthe, recommend the traditional method. I on the other hand, could not resist the drama and pyromania of the Bohemian method, purely for effect. Both techniques are described below.
Read more…

Why does pate have to taste so good and why can’t I stop eating it? Oh that would be because it’s utterly rich, delicious and divine. Duh! This classic French dish is easier to make than you could imagine, leaving you feeling like a very clever chef. Its depth and smoothness, is enhanced by a spike of Brandy, or better yet, Cognac if you have it lying around. The classic flavors of this tried-and-true starter served with baguette toasts are sure to brighten any cocktail party, it packs well in a picnic or why not just to dip into alone late at night when you should know better…
Read more…

Princess Lottie took part in a Daring Baker’s Challenge and came up with this traditional British Pudding by Esther from The Lilac Kitchen! It looks sumptuous, light and suitably moist with syrup and creme Anglaise. I wish I had tasted it as these pics have me drooling. Learn how to make a perfect steamed pudding.
Read more…