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It's winter in Canberra and I'm loving it!

30/5/2016

24 Comments

 
Morning frost
The weatherman didn't need to tell me that it was minus 3.9 degrees C in Canberra on Sunday morning. I could feel it in my toes. It might be a wee bit nippy, but winter is shaping up beautifully.

What with whisky, chestnuts, truffles and the like to celebrate the winter months, I'm certainly not complaining! 

There are beverages to be enjoyed...

Hot buttered whisky - Liz Posmyk Good Things
A dram of hot buttered whisky will warm you from head to toe on a chilly winter's evening. You'll find the recipe here. I first tasted this divine beverage at Whisky Live in Canberra, the world's premiere whisky event.
Hot Spiced Cider served at The Conservatory Restaurant in Canberra - photo Liz Posmyk Good Things
Sally's Dabinett hot spiced cider was a deliciously warming starter served with freshly roasted chestnuts outdoors on the deck ​at The Conservatory Restaurant at Ginger Catering's La Dolce Vita​ dinner one evening last week. 

And delicious things to eat...

Chestnuts for sale at the local farmer's market
Chestnuts are available from greengrocers and farmer's markets across Canberra and the region.
Alison Saunders and Richard Moxham - growers from Sassafras Nuts - photo Liz Posmyk Good Things
The delightful Alison Saunders and Richard Moxham, Canberra residents and growers of walnuts and chestnuts at Sassafras in the Budawang Ranges, north east of Canberra. They served hot roasted chestnuts at Ginger Catering's La Dolce Vita dinner at The Conservatory Restaurant.
Chef Janet Jeffs' Amuse Bouche - Beetroot, walnut and feta with rare Dexter beef, bamboo charcoal crouton, and chestnut soup shooter - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Chef Janet Jeffs presented diners with a veritable feast at the recent La Dolce Vita dinner at The Conservatory Restaurant at the National Arboretum. The amuse bouche comprised a morsel of her own rare Dexter beef atop a bamboo charcoal crouton, served with a chestnut soup shooter, beetroot, Sassafras walnut and feta. 
Truffled brie available from The Truffle Farm in Canberra
Truffled brie is an exquisite winter treat. It can be ordered ahead from The Truffle Farm in Canberra... or you can make it yourself with local truffles.

There are old friends to catch up with... 

Anne Sturgiss from Tarago Truffles - Liz Posmyk Good Things
A dear friend, the lovely Anne Sturgiss from Tarago Truffles, says, 'Your truffle will have maximum flavour and texture if you shave it over warm food just before serving. The resulting sensory experience of aroma and flavour is to die for.'
Chef Janet Jeffs from Ginger Catering and The Conservatory Restaurant in Canberra - photo Peter Hislop
Janet Jeffs is the Executive Chef and Director of Ginger Catering, Sprout Cafe and The Conservatory Restaurant at the National Arboretum in Canberra. Jeffs is an innovative chef who is dedicated to good food. She lives on a heritage property at Ballalaba near Braidwood, where she raises rare breed beasties, such as Dexter cattle. The Truffle Festival Gala Dinner will be held at The Conservatory Restaurant. Image by Peter Hislop courtesy Ginger Catering.
Chef Andrew Haskins from 3 Seeds Cooking School - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Chef Andrew Haskins from 3Seeds Cooking School loves working with our local truffles. He has been a creative leader in the industry striving for excellence in both himself and future chefs, and generously shares his wisdom, opening his kitchen to the public for hands-on cooking classes. There is an excellent program of truffle cooking classes at 3Seeds throughout winter.
Damian Robinson from Turalla Truffles with his truffle dog - image appears courtesy of Damian Robinson
'We are lucky to have a truly productive truffle industry so close to a major city,' says Damian Robinson from Turalla Truffles near Bungendore, a short drive from Canberra. Damian is hosting truffle hunts and hunt and cook events at Turalla Truffles.
Denzil Sturgiss from Tarago Truffles - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Denzil Sturgiss, grower from Tarago Truffles, enjoys the afternoon sun under the trees. His truffiere in the Tarago-Bungendore area of the Southern Tablelands has some 4,500 trees. Denzil and his wife, Anne (pictured in an image further up), are hosting the Blessing of the Truffle Dogs and a selection of truffle hunts on their property.
Jayson Mesman and his truffle dog at The Truffle Farm in Canberra
Jayson Mesman and his truffle dog at The Truffle Farm in Canberra - the only trufferie in the world in a capital city. For that reason alone, it is well worth a visit. The Truffle Farm is offering a smorgasbord of truffle hunts and truffle events during the season. Photo courtesy Jayson Mesman.

And new friends to meet... 

Truffle pigs, Winnie and Piglet at The Truffle Farm in Canberra
Truffle pigs, Winnie and Piglet at The Truffle Farm in Canberra. I can hardly wait to meet these gals. Photo courtesy Jayson Mesman.
Frisbee the truffle dog from Turalla Truffles
Frisbee the truffle dog from Turalla Truffles, pictured as a pup at the Blessing of the Truffle Dogs in 2015. A fiesty little hunter, I am looking forward to chasing Frisbee around the farm.

Best of all, at day's end we can snuggle close and put up our feet...

One of the joys of winter - warm slippers and a cosy fire

For more information about winter in Canberra and all the good things on offer in my home town, go to the Visit Canberra web site; and The Truffle Festival Canberra Region web site (which has links to all the events and venues). For information about Whisky Live Australia, visit the web site. Click on some of the images in this post for more information about each one.

It's your turn...  tell me, is it winter in your neck of the woods? Are you loving it or loathing the cold? And have your added Canberra, Australia to your list of places to visit during winter?
24 Comments
e / dig in hobart link
30/5/2016 06:38:42 pm

it is winter this morning for sure - huge frost! gives everyone something to talk about.
chestnuts make me think of my time in Europe, buying them in the street on cold dark afternoons.

Reply
Lizzy
31/5/2016 04:16:10 am

Such lovely memories E.

Reply
Carina Simeon (India)
30/5/2016 06:43:59 pm

We, here in Kerala-South India have entered the monsoon season now, so heat is a little less but still too hot.liked the look of your frosted leaves - nice.

Reply
Lizzy
31/5/2016 04:15:57 am

Thank you.

Reply
Eha
30/5/2016 08:25:25 pm

Thank you for introducing some of the movers and shakers on the Canberra food scene . . . of course I 'wonder' why my eye returns to the pic of Jason Mesman and his obviously close companion: what a beautiful dog :) !! Winter has arrived in the Southern Highlands as well - I do not mind the cold outside but somehow do need a warm cottage and the electricity costs to keep it such are becoming quite frightening. Must admit I am fondly thinking back onto our long and warm and fine autumn just past . . .

Reply
Lizzy
31/5/2016 04:15:50 am

Agreed my friend... so glad for warm clothes eh xx

Reply
Bob Bennett
30/5/2016 09:35:51 pm

Winter in the berra and you know you're alive. Great list, Lizzie.

Reply
Lizzy
31/5/2016 04:15:21 am

Bob, thank you very much.

Reply
Jennie Eacott
30/5/2016 09:36:39 pm

This will help me plan my visit to Canberra. Thank you.

Reply
Lizzy
31/5/2016 04:15:10 am

My pleasure Jennie.

Reply
Peter
30/5/2016 09:38:46 pm

I must say, that hot buttered whisky is amazing. I am enjoying being your sous chef and driver xxo

Reply
Lizzy
31/5/2016 04:14:51 am

Naaaaaw, thank you. And I love having you as my sous chef and driver. xxx

Reply
Tandy I Lavender and Lime link
30/5/2016 11:59:25 pm

Oh, that truffle dog is too cute. I'm not enjoying the cold mornings and it's only 9 degrees here. Don't think I would enjoy your winter weather too much 😀

Reply
sherry MacKay link
31/5/2016 03:57:41 am

that all looks wonderful Liz. i guess you could say we are starting to have some cold weather here. it actually dropped to 9 the other night overnight. it has been the longest damn summer ever - we have had about 9 months worth of it so a cold night is welcome...

Reply
Lizzy
31/5/2016 04:14:24 am

Oh nice... 9 degrees overnight would be blissful, but I agree a cooler night makes for more restful sleep x

Reply
Fiona Ryan
31/5/2016 04:11:27 am

Gordon Bennett! I saw you have negative 4 yesterday. I'm down next week so I know I will feel it after our mild autumn.

Reply
Lizzy
31/5/2016 04:13:53 am

It's bitterly cold, Fi x

Reply
John / Kitchen Riffs link
31/5/2016 02:50:45 pm

Hot weather here! But I'm loving that. :-) Fun post -- love the slippers picture!

Reply
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
1/6/2016 05:53:34 am

I'm excited to be coming for the truffle festival in July! :D I'll bring my Winter slippers!

Reply
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama link
1/6/2016 07:17:57 am

We grow truffles in Australia? I did not know that! What do truffles taste like?

Reply
Jeni Allenby link
1/6/2016 07:50:30 pm

Lovely to see what Janet Jeffs is creating these days, and also to see those photos of her. We've know her since she opened Juniperberry in 1995. We still dream of some of her dishes from that time :)

Reply
Robbie
1/6/2016 11:18:04 pm

I really need to get myself to Canberra this winter!

Reply
Laura | Tutti Dolci link
2/6/2016 02:38:50 am

That truffled brie sounds incredible, what a treat!

Reply
David link
2/6/2016 06:56:33 pm

I completely understand people enjoying a cuddly winter by the fireplace, and the need to get their sweaters out of the closet, but I really prefer our warm summer weather! The buttered rum looks excellent, and the smell of chestnuts roasting is intoxicating! Let's not even start about the truffles…

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2020.   All rights reserved.
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