Cherry Clafoutis It's Friday, mid winter and our heat pump died last weekend. It's a bitterly cold kind of Canberra day, even the sun hasn't the courage to emerge from beneath the layer of fog and clouds. I'm sitting at my computer with a blanket draped around my body to keep me warm. Meanwhile, a team of men are working in the ceiling. All going well, we'll have new heating installed and a deliciously warm home very, very soon.
Feeling this cold has made me reflect on some things...
What's your favourite biscuit, if you have one? I have always adored biscotti (a.k.a. cantuccini), with pistachio and cranberry being my number one pick of flavours. Some of the store-bought varieties are so amazingly firm that they can only be eaten if first dunked in tea or coffee, hence I prefer to bake my own. Although, having said that, whenever I can find Mother Meg's brand locally, I will pick up a pack or two, as they are delicious little morsels.
Stop Hunger Start Cooking!Top Australian chefs and foodies, including Neil Perry, Kylie Kwong and Julie Goodwin, have teamed up with a Sri Lankan farmer to draw attention to the growing food crisis facing the world’s poorest communities.
More than 30 chefs, food writers, food bloggers and home cooks from around the country have donated recipes for a new online cookbook in support of Oxfam Australia’s Stop Hunger campaign, which is helping to provide small-scale farmers with the tools, seeds and skills they need to feed their families. And I am delighted to be involved in the cookbook and in the promotion and support of the campaign. I would like to invite you to jump on board with me and help promote this campaign too! Recipe for Slow Cooked Beef with Vanilla and CapsicumKeeper: /ˈkiːpə/ [Noun and adjective, informal] a sublime food or brilliant recipe that finds it way into your heart and onto your repertoire for life. Sometimes when you read a new recipe, you just know it's going to be a 'Keeper'. This week's snippet on Slow Cooked Beef with Vanilla and Capsicum is one such recipe and I am dellghted to share my adaptation with you.
Passionfruit SoufflésIt's mid winter and the June (Queen's Birthday) long weekend here in Australia. Peter and I have enjoyed a very restful Sunday, after a busy day of food shopping and generally rushing around for a good part of yesterday. A mid morning visit to the farmer's markets was followed by a trip to the supermarket and then to fuel the car. We arrived home and started to unpack the shopping, only to discover we had left a bag of groceries behind! Gah. Back to the supermarket and it was almost mid afternoon by the time we managed to catch our breath!
Once upon a time, I spent all day Saturday cleaning the house and doing the washing; and most of Sunday folding the washing and doing the ironing. As I get older, I am really starting to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Sunshine streaming in through the French doors on a winter's afternoon. Foraging for home grown produce in our kitchen garden. Eating my favourite fresh fruit when it is in season. Indulging in dedicated pyjama days. Curling up on the lounge together to read. Weekends spent just cooking, eating and relaxing. Deliciousness and a celebration of life! Chilli Con CarneAccording to the infamous Spanish Dominican friar, Fray Bartolomé de las Casas (1484-1566), 'Sin el chile los Mexicanos ne creen que estan comiendo'. In other words, 'without chillies, Mexicans don't believe they are eating'.
If ever Peter and I arrive later than usual at the Capital Region Farmer's Market on Saturday morning, I make a beeline for Noel Arrold's Li-Sun Mushroom stall (hopefully) before his stock sells out. Peter and I love Noel's exotic fresh funghi and regularly use an assortment of mushrooms in omelettes, stir fries, pan fried with toast for breakfast, and risotto.
In My Kitchen - June 2012The months have flown past so very quickly. Can you believe that it's June already! Autumn is over, it's the beginning of a new month and time to visit my friend and fellow blogger, Celia, at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, for a look at what's happening in her kitchen and the kitchens of other friends around the world.
Winter where I live in Canberra, Australia, is quite delicious! I acknowledge it’s cold. Okay, so it’s freezing, especially on days when the cloud cover is thick and the sun simply doesn't emerge. If nothing else, the diminishing mercury level inspires me to hibernate with my man, throw on an apron, stoke up the stove and fill the house with warm and appetising aromas. Here's a taste of what's in my kitchen this month. Thank you for visiting! |
Welcome...Üdvözölöm
Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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