I resurrected an old favourite in the HotHouse Kitchen this week. I first blogged the recipe back in 2015: Roast chicken with pumpkin, butterbeans & goat's cheese. A former colleague once told me over drinks - when we could indulge in such pursuits - that it regularly features on the menu at her place and... Continue Reading →
That was weird
Remember how my kids started yammering to each other in Swedish at the dinner table last week ... then hung out in the kitchen with me for hours earlier this week? Well they've gone for the trifecta of weird behaviour. They asked me to drive them to the local netball courts last night so they... Continue Reading →
Put a ring on it
A strange thing happened in the Household last night. The kids normally skedaddle the moment they finish the last mouthful of their dinner. They race back to their bedrooms to watch tellie and listen to podcasts on their phones. I pack the dishwasher, settle onto the green velvet couch with the dogs and watch Netflix.... Continue Reading →
Tribal warfare
COVID-19 is such a divisive disease. In Sydney, the west blames the east for spreading it. The east blames the west for flaming it. Regional NSW blames Greater Sydney for sharing it. Victoria blames NSW. Queensland blames NSW. Western Australia blames everyone and wants to isolate itself forever. In my darker moments, I curse the... Continue Reading →
Just walk away
If you happen to be trapped in lockdown right now and reading this ... how's the diet going? It’s a bust around here - I've started eating “breakfast dessert”. Are you a breakfast dessert person or is it just me? I eat my Vegemite toast then think … oooh, now I fancy something sweet. Yesterday’s... Continue Reading →
Low tide
Is it week nine or 10 of lockdown in Sydney? Should I take the dogs for another walk or make more soup? Is 4pm too early for a cocktail? Have I showered today? Can I wear my pyjamas to Chargrill Charlie's? I can't speak for Melburnians, but we're starting to unravel in Sydney. The past... Continue Reading →
Recipes of the week: cheat’s lasagne & chicken pot pies
Welcome to another instalment of the HotHouse Kitchen. I’m finding it can be stressful cooking for another family, as you worry that you haven't nailed it. This week, my child tasted my pot pies, screwed up her nose, said they tasted funny and told me not to make them again. I was a little freaked... Continue Reading →
Claret snapping
It's hard being me. I went on yet another shopping trip yesterday to restock the pantry to feed my voracious teenagers. When I got home, I checked my emails and found a message reminding me that I had a virtual cocktail making class at 6pm. I'd totally forgotten, despite there being an actual paper diary... Continue Reading →
Freezing it out
I hit the emotional wall yesterday, as I think we all have during lockdown. So DD bought me Singapore noodles for lunch, enticed me into a wetsuit and took me swimming in the ocean. It was VERY cold in the water and very sweet of him to join me. He was shivering big time and... Continue Reading →
Spinning our web
I figure you must be sick of my COVID whining, so I'm blogging about fun stuff today. I got a lovely email from Andrew, the bloke who helped organise our Kimberley cruise. He said: "I just wanted to shoot you a quick note to let you know we've added a permanent link to The Thirsty... Continue Reading →