Husband "won" a gourmet hamper at the last school fundraiser and I've been trying to clear out the contents before they expire (which is what usually happens to all the odds and ends in my gourmet hampers). This week's clearance item: Spice & Co Australian BBQ Spice Mix. Inspired by a delicious beef fillet Husband's brother... Continue Reading →

This is Sprog 1's favourite soup. I first blogged about it back in October, sans pic. I finally got around to snapping it this week. Quite arty too, don't you think? Considering it was taken on our grotty old deck ... The recipe is a dumbed down version of a Gordon Ramsey classic. Enjoy! Roast Tomato Soup INGREDIENTS: 4 tablespoons olive oil,... Continue Reading →

This recipe is a bit haphazard - like the photo - as it was cooked under the influence ... But, sozzled or not, there's nothing more divine than pesto (except, perhaps, crab with stir-fried rice cake at New Shanghai). Love the stuff. I used the pesto I made on Friday (no official recipe, just a bunch of basil, about 2... Continue Reading →

Husband has a unique way of looking at weekends with the Sprogs: an opportunity for elaborate craft projects. Yesterday, he and Sprog 1 decided to make a Japanese temple. As you do. Balsa wood was purchased from a craft store, paints were mixed, drinking straws and cardboard boxes were pressed into service as roofing materials. It's... Continue Reading →

I recently signed up to Farmer's Direct. (Well, to be totally accurate, they hooked Husband. I can't leave him alone for a second. We were at Westfield the other day, I turn my back for two seconds and he buys all this stuff from the Dead Sea Salt stand.) Farmer's Direct is freaking me out. Every Thursday... Continue Reading →

Back to school meant back to muffin making yesterday. I was flicking through Bill Grainger's Sydney Food and discovered this recipe, which made me feel all virtuous with its inclusion of bran, apple, banana, blueberries, honey (no sugar) and strawberries. Husband and Sprog 1 pronounced them YUM. Sprog 2 hated them, but she hates all muffins,... Continue Reading →

I over-committed myself a little this weekend - ok, a lot - and spent endless hours in the kitchen cooking for friends. We had a brekkie barbie on Saturday, a lamb roast for Sunday lunch, and a fish pie for Sunday dinner. I've shared the slow-roast lamb recipe before, and the barbie is just about slapping... Continue Reading →

Pre-Sprogs, this was a Household favourite. It went by the wayside during the toddler and dissacharide deficiency years. Since the Sprogs have started tolerating a touch of spice lately, I decided to give it another whirl. Sprog 1 had seconds, Sprog 2 didn't complain too much. It's also preservative-free for those who prefer their dishes that way. CHANG MAI... Continue Reading →

So there I was last night, standing in the middle of the road, taking photos of a plate of salmon and chips with my mobile phone (note the dotted lines in the background of the photo) ... Fortunately no-one saw me, committed me or ran me over. I was forced onto the road because it was the only patch... Continue Reading →

If you thought roasts were fussy things best left for Sunday lunches, think again. They can be an easy weeknight fix. Just chuck loads of veg in a pan, throw a few lamb racks on top and 40 minutes later, stress-free dinner is served. The recipe below is for the roast I made last night, but it's very flexible, so... Continue Reading →