mosaic road

Fab Fritatta

Yum ! tiny slices of potato, bigger slices of mushrooms and some baby cubes of camembert plus 6 wholesome eggs. Great dinner and great combination of flavours - go ahead and try it !!

Iconic Aussie Pud !

I am talking about Golden Syrup Pudding. Usually this pudding is a boiled pudding, made in a bowl which is then immersed in a caudron of boiling water for several hours. I did it in the oven, recreating the boiling water bit by placing my dish in a bain marie. A traditionalist would scoff but it worked well and we all enjoyed a lemony sponge pudding atop a sticky oozy golden syrup base. Golden syrup is not available everywhere but is popular here and in Britain and I suppose honey maybe the closest substitute elsewhere. But honey is a natural product and golden syrup is manufactured . It consists of two ingredients, cane sugar and water. Not a health product by a long shot!! And you do need a sweet tooth to enjoy this.something not lacking in this family !!

The Peony Rose

 

Intersting facts - they are not related to a rose and peony rose tea is used widely - apparently - in Europe for the treatment of haemorrhoids. Also they were given as tokens of love in China from very early B.C. For me, they are just huge, fat , crimson budding beauties and over the few days since my florist neighbour dropped them off I have taken pics as they slowly open. Sadlythey don't seem to have a fragrance and what was a surprise fact is that they are grown locally.

Coconut Loaf

I made this delicious loaf yesterday. I am not a huge coconut fan - it's a textural thing and a fat content thing too.  I enjoy the flavour of coconut milk in curries but I don't like dessicated or shredded coconut in cookies or cakes or in muesli. I don't eat lamingtons as they are covered in coconut. Not very Australian, I know. I don't cook with coconut cream or milk due to the high fat content but save  Indian or Thai dishes for dinners out or the very rare  treat of a take away. But having said all that I did make this bread as I had an ancient tin of coconut cream - passed its use by date - lurking in the cupboard so hence this loaf made an appearance. Moist and fabulous.

Near Disaster

 

Last night I cleared dishes and glasses from the bench and emptied the glasses into the sink. But one of those glasses held clear cleaning fluid with an antique ring and diamond studs soaking in it. OOPS !! Down the drain they went !! I had to call a friend to cross town and undo the S bend or whatever the thingy is under the sink. The murky brown water did hold all the precious items bar one earring back. How thankful I felt. This is not the first time there has been a near miss with jewellery cleaning in this house. Last time I took a sip of the cleaning fluid thinking I was having a glass of refreshing water !! It was disgusting so luckily it was only a small sip !!

Bestever Ratatouille Bake

Here is a dish that can have endless variations and is healthy and filling and can use up those sad vegetable odds and ends lurking in the bottom of the fridge. Last night's bake included some traditional ratatouille zucchinis , tomatoes and green peppers plus non traditional leftover sliced up baby potatoes and  a big bunch of curly kale. At the last minute I cracked 4 eggs into the baking dish then cooked till the whites were set. It was such a well rounded and delicious meal and there leftovers too which is always good. Oh and I forgot to say, cheese on top is an optional extra !

A Gift from Israel

Visiting the Dead Sea is on my bucket list but due to warring factions and the political instability in the vicinity it unlikely I will ever get there. This week I was given a gift brought from Israel and this may well be as close as I ever get.  I was given a lovely big sachet of Natural Dead Sea Bath Salts and now really look forward to an invigorating soak. Isn't the Dead Sea so salty that you can just float on top of the water ?? I can't see that happening in my little tub !!

My Favourite Cookie

Classic and rustic !! This would be my favourite type of cookie and on the healthier side too. Oats, sultanas and almond slivers went into these. Really, these can be personalized and you could add your own fave combinations of dried fruits and nuts or a mix of cereals or coconut and choc chips. They come under the heading of melt and mix so are so fast to make. I did use whole eggs but slightly beaten egg whites can be substituted for the more diet conscious. I feel also compelled to let you know  that the uncooked batter is addicitive too - best keep your fingers out of the bowl !!!!

Joined at the Hip

It's not even particularly cold and they are still tucked up together. I was thinking of replacing the dog beds as they are a year old and a a bit yucky as you can imagine but when you see this type of little scene I don't want to change a thing.

Roast Potatoes with a Twist

Mix up a potion of horseradish, dijon mustard and olive oil. Swish your sliced, unpeeled potatoes through the mixture, coat generously, then bake till crispy. Add sea salt and black pepper if you wish.  Very yummy !!