tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31618986492514013082024-03-14T05:48:08.605+11:00Spikey MikeysSights
Ideas
Thoughts
(and occasionally) food
from Me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-78976160894020378972013-07-14T17:08:00.000+10:002013-07-14T17:08:31.162+10:00Finger Lime CheesecakeOn my continuing quest on what to do with Finger Lime....<br /><div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-64385508452738351382013-07-14T12:49:00.000+10:002013-07-14T12:49:40.803+10:00Division D Cell Block<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Living as I do on the site of an old prison, I've always wondered what they would do with the old cell blocks. These cell blocks are classified by the National Trust, so they cant be demolished or modified, so what do they do with them? Apart from using them for film sets for TV shows & movies there isn't a lot of scope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I was surprised when they decided to hold a Sunday market there, allowing the public to see what the interior of the cell block, & cells, is like. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To say the cells are small is an understatement - my kitchen is bigger that the cell, each was roughly 2m by 3m, and they were in use until the prison was decommissioned in the late 1990's.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-37487536525004117572013-06-13T21:49:00.000+10:002013-06-13T21:49:45.228+10:00After Earth - Film review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought I'd try & do something different - a film review.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is one film that I had been looking forward to. The clips looked promising, the CGI looked good, storyline sounded new, but I was a bit dubious of the main casting. & unfortunately my doubts were correct. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As director, M. Night Shyamalan, had his work cut out, and to a point succeeded, but was ultimately let down by the actors. Will Smith playing a stern emotionless father was not a good choice. He came across as dull, detached, & bored. His real life son, Jaden Smith, played his son in the movie, & his character bore the weight of the storyline, but his acting wasn't upto the task, leaving what had been a promising movie decidedly flat & lacking spark. The whole movie almost felt like a videogame with Will Smith controlling what his son was supposed to be doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If this movie was aimed at the early-mid teen market it would do well, as a SciFi movie, it fails.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My rating: 5 spikes out of 10 (for the teen market it would be more like 7 spikes out of 10)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-59252718402854080142013-06-09T18:28:00.000+10:002013-06-09T18:28:17.441+10:00I'm Back... & so are Quinces!<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winter is starting to set in & that means its getting cold outside. Stating the obvious..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what to do with the extra time that I now have on my hands...? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, for a start I'll get this blog going again, but its going to be slightly different. Most recipes are going to be for one, for someone important - me :) They may not be the prettiest or most complex of dishes, but so what? Everyone has to eat, even if it is by yourself.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hkKUXWXuX0/UbQ3zTa1CyI/AAAAAAAABNo/w7pL67iqidg/s1600/quince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hkKUXWXuX0/UbQ3zTa1CyI/AAAAAAAABNo/w7pL67iqidg/s320/quince.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, as quinces are in season I thought I'd buy a couple & cook them up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rather than baking them or using a saucepan, I thought I'd try the slow cooker, & it worked!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply peel, quarter & core two quinces, place them in the slow cooker along with 200g of vanilla sugar* or plain sugar, a stick or 2 of cinnamon, two crushed cardamon pods, a star anise, & just enough water to cover the quince. Also add the cored bits from the quince - adds to the flavour!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Turn the slow cooker on high till it starts bubbling, then switch to low until the quince are cooked. Then turn off the slow cooker & allow the quince to cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simple, & fuss free. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*I had a vanilla pod which had dried out too much, so I cut it up, threw it in a blender along with 500g or so of caster sugar & blitzed it - Vanilla Sugar is now ready</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-90403431750056072902013-06-08T14:29:00.001+10:002013-06-08T14:29:26.815+10:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Damn... A year since I've touched this blog. Me Bad :(</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-51710465811287611972012-04-22T18:30:00.000+10:002012-04-22T18:30:07.817+10:00Clouds<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Clouds at sunset.. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-30835410021331534062012-04-18T22:27:00.000+10:002012-04-18T22:27:02.158+10:00Bali.............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_KtrIMKMFM/T46x9unyvOI/AAAAAAAAA_M/tk-8hYvHdpo/s1600/1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_KtrIMKMFM/T46x9unyvOI/AAAAAAAAA_M/tk-8hYvHdpo/s320/1115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhwL_EkGNjw/T46y7eWjRVI/AAAAAAAAA_k/O3lqLUs83nA/s1600/1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhwL_EkGNjw/T46y7eWjRVI/AAAAAAAAA_k/O3lqLUs83nA/s320/1399.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMpX14SEnrw/T46y80Qp_wI/AAAAAAAAA_s/XP-5_HXTeT4/s1600/763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMpX14SEnrw/T46y80Qp_wI/AAAAAAAAA_s/XP-5_HXTeT4/s320/763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-8393013742250701172012-03-31T14:43:00.000+11:002012-03-31T14:43:01.137+11:00Random pics...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z5QfEK29eZI/T3Z5jiRJYqI/AAAAAAAAA-U/5BUzn91ItPE/s1600/IMAG0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z5QfEK29eZI/T3Z5jiRJYqI/AAAAAAAAA-U/5BUzn91ItPE/s320/IMAG0424.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-25422448109841989682012-02-25T23:10:00.000+11:002012-02-25T23:10:10.493+11:00Kopi Luwak<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a recent trip to Bali I was able to sample a rare type of coffee that I had heard about & never imagined that I'd try: Kopi Luwak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why is this coffee so special? I guess its due to the "additional" processing steps that the raw coffee berries go through.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xx4bN_SwkS8/T0jMMBimk-I/AAAAAAAAA90/5gYknKctkas/s1600/DSCF0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xx4bN_SwkS8/T0jMMBimk-I/AAAAAAAAA90/5gYknKctkas/s320/DSCF0489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Indonesia a local wild animal, an Asian Palm Civet (above), eats the raw coffee berries when they are at the pinnacle of ripeness - it doesn't eat the over or under ripe berries. It does this for roughage to help its digestion. the berries then pass through the digestive tract & the stomach juices react with the berries. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rz-hUzsTcc/T0jMVL6z1tI/AAAAAAAAA98/SfxQejvaA7w/s1600/DSCF0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rz-hUzsTcc/T0jMVL6z1tI/AAAAAAAAA98/SfxQejvaA7w/s320/DSCF0492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The animal droppings (above) are then collected, cleaned, roasted & ground in the usual manner, though the little girl (below) was showing the traditional Balinese way of pounding the coffee beans rather than grinding.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cot2HA-xu8A/T0jMvmBXUcI/AAAAAAAAA-M/FuN9dTSIGxY/s1600/DSCF0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cot2HA-xu8A/T0jMvmBXUcI/AAAAAAAAA-M/FuN9dTSIGxY/s320/DSCF0488.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Kopi Luwak I had was prepared in the typical Balinese style: ground to almost a fine powder, to which hot water is added - no filtering of any kind. The coffee is allowed to settle before drinking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the first sip all I can say is: wow!! the taste, flavour, aroma, smoothness are all on a totally new level. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When converted into AUD, the Kopi Luwak at the plantation was for sale at AUD30.00 for 100g, so its not cheap! Unfortunately quarantine regulations prevented me from taking any home with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you ever have the chance to try this coffee, do so, you wont be disappointed! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-6589155546143695582012-01-29T13:10:00.000+11:002012-01-29T13:10:03.497+11:00Some stuff from the web..<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Surfing the net you do come across some amazing sites. This is one of them: <a href="http://unknownskywalker.tumblr.com/">Darkside of the Force/</a> & these are a few of the photo's on there..</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lybwf8fpSi1qzyhb5o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lybwf8fpSi1qzyhb5o1_500.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-27349878461715895082011-11-20T11:20:00.000+11:002011-11-20T11:20:58.019+11:00Spire..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dc4L2tEZutc/TshHIWcfv3I/AAAAAAAAA9k/ch17QXWgmR8/s1600/IMAG0292a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dc4L2tEZutc/TshHIWcfv3I/AAAAAAAAA9k/ch17QXWgmR8/s640/IMAG0292a.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-55211565809941577022011-11-14T22:05:00.000+11:002011-11-14T22:05:34.454+11:00Melbourne Randomness<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just because</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just Melbourne...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It may not have a harbour, or a tower, or be steeped in ancient history, but my home town of Melbourne has a wonderful diversity that never fails to surprise me. Whether its the walk home, the view of a storm, the art in the laneways the evening light reflecting & highlighting structures, or even the area where I live, its all Melbourne.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gC42DuPSW9E/TsDyOy8yxiI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/RpWjdUjcNpk/s1600/IMAG0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gC42DuPSW9E/TsDyOy8yxiI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/RpWjdUjcNpk/s320/IMAG0110.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxefm6I6t9c/TsDyTOqx-3I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/DFpJVzDkhT8/s1600/IMAG0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxefm6I6t9c/TsDyTOqx-3I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/DFpJVzDkhT8/s320/IMAG0130.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tm2IndzO4fI/TsDyc6MH4lI/AAAAAAAAA7g/XJZXpDP-OAU/s1600/IMAG0131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tm2IndzO4fI/TsDyc6MH4lI/AAAAAAAAA7g/XJZXpDP-OAU/s320/IMAG0131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao94Lydz6JQ/TsDygxpTM9I/AAAAAAAAA7o/5Hx2_KH1lyU/s1600/IMAG0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao94Lydz6JQ/TsDygxpTM9I/AAAAAAAAA7o/5Hx2_KH1lyU/s320/IMAG0138.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYOM9R1Ls-4/TsDynh8nWNI/AAAAAAAAA7w/7G_-Kg4GIjU/s1600/IMAG0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYOM9R1Ls-4/TsDynh8nWNI/AAAAAAAAA7w/7G_-Kg4GIjU/s320/IMAG0167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6Ch4sfH43U/TsDyu5BemeI/AAAAAAAAA74/uF17Kv2_P88/s1600/IMAG0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6Ch4sfH43U/TsDyu5BemeI/AAAAAAAAA74/uF17Kv2_P88/s320/IMAG0215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hg9Acus2As/TsDy4KMTNUI/AAAAAAAAA8A/A3-bmwFGGRI/s1600/IMAG0217a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hg9Acus2As/TsDy4KMTNUI/AAAAAAAAA8A/A3-bmwFGGRI/s320/IMAG0217a.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwB0JuMPgFg/TsDy5ucuI9I/AAAAAAAAA8I/JRSi34LdzzY/s1600/IMAG0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwB0JuMPgFg/TsDy5ucuI9I/AAAAAAAAA8I/JRSi34LdzzY/s320/IMAG0237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuE4kwN0i9Q/TsDy9o9XPeI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/nhUNCAfe-h8/s1600/IMAG0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuE4kwN0i9Q/TsDy9o9XPeI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/nhUNCAfe-h8/s320/IMAG0256.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_rySWjlq4M/TsDzAewRg-I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/tcQ3imCpHCg/s1600/IMAG0259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_rySWjlq4M/TsDzAewRg-I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/tcQ3imCpHCg/s320/IMAG0259.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G37BsP74rbQ/TsDzC69eW-I/AAAAAAAAA8g/cmM7BdZ1VnE/s1600/IMAG0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G37BsP74rbQ/TsDzC69eW-I/AAAAAAAAA8g/cmM7BdZ1VnE/s320/IMAG0266.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-31067162850864260542011-08-12T07:56:00.001+10:002011-08-12T08:19:22.137+10:00A reason...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is a saying "everything happens for a reason".</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today's tram trip into work proved this saying.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I missed my first tram because it was early, for some reason the next one ignored the 4 people waiting at the stop & sped by, the next one was late & crowded, and then had the nerve to terminate early so that they could maintain their schedule. By this time i was really annoyed & frustrated with the start to my morning.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then got off the tram & looked up and saw this.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DoBM-JYkMGE/TkRPn0SksoI/AAAAAAAAA6E/XzCpOLCwsyA/s1600/State.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DoBM-JYkMGE/TkRPn0SksoI/AAAAAAAAA6E/XzCpOLCwsyA/s640/State.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLLyV3dzjGA/TkRPm32CVEI/AAAAAAAAA6A/SGuX9wA3fBM/s1600/State2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLLyV3dzjGA/TkRPm32CVEI/AAAAAAAAA6A/SGuX9wA3fBM/s640/State2.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If I wasn't delayed by the trams I never would have seen it, everything does happen for a reason.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-85076346173806773262011-08-03T13:57:00.000+10:002011-08-03T13:57:18.051+10:00Street Art<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Its always amazing what you can find down the alleyways of Melbourne....</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In this case I had to squeeze past some parked cars & rubbish bins to find these:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBdMclC4UIE/TjjGukIHJYI/AAAAAAAAA48/XcbhEM4y8u8/s1600/IMAG0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBdMclC4UIE/TjjGukIHJYI/AAAAAAAAA48/XcbhEM4y8u8/s320/IMAG0033.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiUAPPlYZoU/TjjGtqA_8UI/AAAAAAAAA4c/5ZXSMzBW2-Y/s1600/IMAG0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiUAPPlYZoU/TjjGtqA_8UI/AAAAAAAAA4c/5ZXSMzBW2-Y/s320/IMAG0025.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sTSwmWcK78/TjjGt3PR30I/AAAAAAAAA4k/g6g65xggelg/s1600/IMAG0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sTSwmWcK78/TjjGt3PR30I/AAAAAAAAA4k/g6g65xggelg/s320/IMAG0027.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYdRU5CHhkg/TjjGuABstXI/AAAAAAAAA4s/cWIWXR_NA_I/s1600/IMAG0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYdRU5CHhkg/TjjGuABstXI/AAAAAAAAA4s/cWIWXR_NA_I/s320/IMAG0030.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZcypqdOuXw/TjjGudCrZTI/AAAAAAAAA40/eWXdgCamiX4/s1600/IMAG0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZcypqdOuXw/TjjGudCrZTI/AAAAAAAAA40/eWXdgCamiX4/s320/IMAG0032.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_smf8BJ-vs/TjjG79LH8EI/AAAAAAAAA5M/y-PhH9ZJkvU/s1600/IMAG0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_smf8BJ-vs/TjjG79LH8EI/AAAAAAAAA5M/y-PhH9ZJkvU/s320/IMAG0036.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYlfPPEMtvg/TjjG7h_w98I/AAAAAAAAA5E/3SoxPGntKYg/s1600/IMAG0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYlfPPEMtvg/TjjG7h_w98I/AAAAAAAAA5E/3SoxPGntKYg/s320/IMAG0034.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-63945751416945430652011-08-02T13:58:00.001+10:002011-08-03T14:05:52.590+10:00Weekend Wanderings<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">No motivation = no recipes or food pics :(</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So you have to make do with some of my weekend ramblings in Melbourne.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbA0JqP4URk/TjjIAppWhEI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/P9muvv7lmSA/s1600/IMAG0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbA0JqP4URk/TjjIAppWhEI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/P9muvv7lmSA/s320/IMAG0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQDTtALkVhA/TjjIMdKl1AI/AAAAAAAAA5U/pTYP6W79BnA/s1600/IMAG0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQDTtALkVhA/TjjIMdKl1AI/AAAAAAAAA5U/pTYP6W79BnA/s320/IMAG0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LMSQTrLZfc/TjjIUB7MtjI/AAAAAAAAA5w/jevqftbbL18/s1600/IMAG0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LMSQTrLZfc/TjjIUB7MtjI/AAAAAAAAA5w/jevqftbbL18/s320/IMAG0006.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvXza6iNVfw/TjjISwL7cVI/AAAAAAAAA5s/bPDLcPzu9EE/s1600/IMAG0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvXza6iNVfw/TjjISwL7cVI/AAAAAAAAA5s/bPDLcPzu9EE/s320/IMAG0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0KHh4W36lNM/TjjINv99x_I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/Mcy6rkKKGuo/s1600/IMAG0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0KHh4W36lNM/TjjINv99x_I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/Mcy6rkKKGuo/s320/IMAG0011.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iazgAtlt0IA/TjjIOkdZ59I/AAAAAAAAA5c/e8qbr86y6yQ/s1600/IMAG0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iazgAtlt0IA/TjjIOkdZ59I/AAAAAAAAA5c/e8qbr86y6yQ/s320/IMAG0012.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDUFrgRHwzo/TjjIPgiJFxI/AAAAAAAAA5g/C35WGmN0p4E/s1600/IMAG0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDUFrgRHwzo/TjjIPgiJFxI/AAAAAAAAA5g/C35WGmN0p4E/s320/IMAG0018.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FqaYrLH-KzM/TjjIQoitiVI/AAAAAAAAA5k/bfwnukONbYs/s1600/IMAG0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FqaYrLH-KzM/TjjIQoitiVI/AAAAAAAAA5k/bfwnukONbYs/s320/IMAG0021.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVY4se_a_Dw/TjjIR3jUSeI/AAAAAAAAA5o/FE8Yku6WhqA/s1600/IMAG0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVY4se_a_Dw/TjjIR3jUSeI/AAAAAAAAA5o/FE8Yku6WhqA/s320/IMAG0022.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-44965024541009590512011-07-18T09:23:00.000+10:002011-07-18T09:23:31.694+10:00Australian Natives<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Australian native plants are always unusual & full of surprises...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Like this one:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzEhxLZy2ks/TiNuB44LpvI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/U-pHRSlCJ5g/s1600/IMG-20110619-00048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzEhxLZy2ks/TiNuB44LpvI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/U-pHRSlCJ5g/s320/IMG-20110619-00048.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The flower pod</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoC5TeQ-95A/TiNuCLwxjaI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/nhJQ-NxFP3s/s1600/IMG-20110619-00049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoC5TeQ-95A/TiNuCLwxjaI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/nhJQ-NxFP3s/s320/IMG-20110619-00049.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Flowering</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1WMauMQazo/TiNuCc3u4fI/AAAAAAAAA2g/W8YeXLi-G2I/s1600/IMG-20110619-00051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1WMauMQazo/TiNuCc3u4fI/AAAAAAAAA2g/W8YeXLi-G2I/s320/IMG-20110619-00051.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The seed pod...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CiXwqxHTTsI/TiNuC2Y2D9I/AAAAAAAAA2o/gtNiTnLFjwo/s1600/IMG-20110619-00053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CiXwqxHTTsI/TiNuC2Y2D9I/AAAAAAAAA2o/gtNiTnLFjwo/s320/IMG-20110619-00053.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Or this one that looks like an exploding firework</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-80169992689019768842011-06-23T07:50:00.001+10:002011-06-23T07:55:53.814+10:00SpacesReading today's <a href="http://www.theage.com.au">The Age</a> website they had these amazingly beautiful photo's by Alex Cherney:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G92109dJtiE/TgJieH51RQI/AAAAAAAAA2A/Z_BeE_Qf4Ao/s1600/space--5--600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G92109dJtiE/TgJieH51RQI/AAAAAAAAA2A/Z_BeE_Qf4Ao/s320/space--5--600x400.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5oowMc30pk/TgJiddxrzKI/AAAAAAAAA1g/YMyol1xIKhg/s1600/space--1--600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5oowMc30pk/TgJiddxrzKI/AAAAAAAAA1g/YMyol1xIKhg/s320/space--1--600x400.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPyMbtS__FM/TgJidjbP5HI/AAAAAAAAA1o/BNJI40CY5OQ/s1600/space--3--600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPyMbtS__FM/TgJidjbP5HI/AAAAAAAAA1o/BNJI40CY5OQ/s320/space--3--600x400.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv0jl2H3p0E/TgJid9gNluI/AAAAAAAAA1w/_CDXZcMdWDo/s1600/space--4--600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv0jl2H3p0E/TgJid9gNluI/AAAAAAAAA1w/_CDXZcMdWDo/s320/space--4--600x400.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MtvmpmupvMk/TgJid0uUPMI/AAAAAAAAA14/On-vaCKG34Y/s1600/space--7--600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MtvmpmupvMk/TgJid0uUPMI/AAAAAAAAA14/On-vaCKG34Y/s320/space--7--600x400.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Full article is here: <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/date-with-the-milky-way-led-to-stars-20110622-1gfij.html">The Age</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-12943199523681391362011-06-16T09:08:00.000+10:002011-06-16T09:08:18.128+10:00random thoughts<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Sometimes </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Just because... </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I can!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWClqy8p2-Y/Tfk26kt86pI/AAAAAAAAA1I/iY5MmLNA2Z4/s1600/IMG-20110606-00033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWClqy8p2-Y/Tfk26kt86pI/AAAAAAAAA1I/iY5MmLNA2Z4/s320/IMG-20110606-00033.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Looking up</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuKV81eMm8w/Tfk3Jo6YGJI/AAAAAAAAA1M/CGfTozxZhcM/s1600/Melbourne-20110426-00059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuKV81eMm8w/Tfk3Jo6YGJI/AAAAAAAAA1M/CGfTozxZhcM/s320/Melbourne-20110426-00059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Looking down...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DYvuK1Com_U/Tfk4aP7c6GI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/JyttmH5JrXY/s1600/IMG-20110522-00016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DYvuK1Com_U/Tfk4aP7c6GI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/JyttmH5JrXY/s320/IMG-20110522-00016.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The green path</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFzinEzN34E/Tfk4eDGQtmI/AAAAAAAAA1U/rshq1Aivdnw/s1600/IMG-20110522-00009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFzinEzN34E/Tfk4eDGQtmI/AAAAAAAAA1U/rshq1Aivdnw/s320/IMG-20110522-00009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The shining</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWLIKUv5f5I/Tfk4i6ZSwHI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/5_jezJJevwk/s1600/IMG-20110522-00013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWLIKUv5f5I/Tfk4i6ZSwHI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/5_jezJJevwk/s320/IMG-20110522-00013.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Is it greener on the other side?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-8613488445458190712011-06-10T07:56:00.000+10:002011-06-10T07:56:59.859+10:00Comfort Food<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Every now & then you just want a quick easy snack just to comfort yourself, or indulge. This is one of those recipes - & I use the term recipe loosely, as there is nothing precise or structured about it. It just sort of came together in the most unexpected way. I was thinking as to what to create for this months Paper Chef entry. The ingredients were Bread, Chocolate, Berries, & Lime. Simple, compatible. But leading to too many choices! With time running short I went with instinct & this was the result: <b>Chocolate French Toast with Berry syrup & Lime Cream.</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the combination of the slightly bitter chocolate (70%), sweet berry syrup & tangy Lime cream worked a treat, leaving me wanting more.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qP25rxcX6LI/TfC9_1pHzzI/AAAAAAAAA1E/GlPPDQ9C_YA/s1600/DSCF1069a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qP25rxcX6LI/TfC9_1pHzzI/AAAAAAAAA1E/GlPPDQ9C_YA/s320/DSCF1069a.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Ingredients:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">white bread, slices about 1cm thick</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">dark chocolate (70%)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">cinnamon</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">egg</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">cream</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">lime </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">frozen mixed berries</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">sugar</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Strawberry liqueur (optional) or water</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">icing sugar</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">oil</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">butter</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Method:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Beat the egg with some cream or milk & cinnamon.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Place a block or 2 (depending on size) between two slices of bread & soak in the egg mixture.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">place about a tablespoon of sugar & a tablespoon of liqueur in a small saucepan & heat until the sugar is dissolved & starting to bubble, then add the frozen berries & turn the heat to low, & allow to warm through.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gently heat the oil in a fry pan</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Zest the lime into the cream, add a little sugar & whip.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">turn up the heat & add some butter to the oil & allow to melt.<br />
Fry the egg soaked chocolate bread sandwich until golden brown then carefully flip to fry the other side. The chocolate would have started to melt so be careful flipping it so that you don't dislodge the bread.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Place onto paper towel to absorb excess oil then onto a serving plate, dust with icing sugar, & serve with the berry syrup & lime cream.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Very comforting & moreish.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-38761250988822804362011-05-16T13:56:00.001+10:002011-05-16T14:00:38.862+10:00Pumpkin & Ginger soup.<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So my mum had this big pumpkin sitting on her kitchen table. She wasn't sure what the best way to cut it up. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Throw it on the concrete & shatter it" she said.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Messy" I thought. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Use the log splitter" she said. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Not very hygienic" I thought. "I'll just cut it" I said. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"You'll loose a finger if it slips" she said. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Typical mother" I thought....</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A bit of rummaging in her kitchen drawers produced a Chinese cleaver, heavy, strong, & sharp.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Setting the big Queensland Blue pumpkin (about 20kg) on the concrete outside, for stability, I then pushed the cleaver through the pumpkin, required a bit of effort & weight on the cleaver to force it through, but eventually I ended up with 4 pieces, & no lost fingers. Now what to do with this hunk of pumpkin that I've acquired (thanks mum).</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well it was the first cold spell of the season therefore a nice soup was in order, in this case pumpkin & ginger. I'm not going to give exact quantities for all the ingredients & the quantities listed here a a guide only, as its too variable & taste dependant.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Pumpkin & Ginger soup.</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingredients:<br />
Pumpkin (roughly diced)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ginger (a decent large thumb sized knob, sliced or diced)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 onion (diced)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbls butter</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 small or 1 medium floury potato (roughly diced)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbls ground cumin</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbls dried oregano</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stock</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Salt</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pepper </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fresh coriander to finish</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Method:<br />
Gently fry the onions & half the ginger over a low heat until golden & soft.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add the cumin & oregano & cook until fragrant</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add the pumpkin & potato & toss to coat in the onion/spice mix</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add enough stock to cover & add the remaining ginger</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bring to the boil & then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the pumpkin & potatoes are soft & tender.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Use a blender or stick mixer to blend all the ingredients to a smooth consistency</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If the soup seems a bit watery, let it simmer a bit longer till it has reached the consistency that appeals.<br />
Season to taste & serve with a sprinkling of roughly chopped coriander.<br />
Serves as many or as few as you wish...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-43102708376466955182011-05-11T08:24:00.000+10:002011-05-11T08:24:07.646+10:00Just because...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9D6mNSZLpM/Tcm54wiXytI/AAAAAAAAA04/tAiAtflVIIM/s1600/up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9D6mNSZLpM/Tcm54wiXytI/AAAAAAAAA04/tAiAtflVIIM/s320/up.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Up</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDda9j0j3fE/Tcm6IFzwZmI/AAAAAAAAA08/Jy2xJ02wLL8/s1600/pic7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDda9j0j3fE/Tcm6IFzwZmI/AAAAAAAAA08/Jy2xJ02wLL8/s320/pic7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Insignificant</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNIvAF0oXck/Tcm6I1ebNHI/AAAAAAAAA1A/v-9yX9CU8Bw/s1600/Rear_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNIvAF0oXck/Tcm6I1ebNHI/AAAAAAAAA1A/v-9yX9CU8Bw/s320/Rear_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dreams....</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-79925091966054321072011-05-07T08:39:00.004+10:002011-05-07T08:54:27.575+10:00Autumn Mushrooms<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603736927895731554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouW-0QTneaU/TcR5C8n2vWI/AAAAAAAAA0w/m7RllrOpFzk/s320/DSCF1053.jpg" /><br />My favourite dish at this time of year is a nice simple Wild Mushroom Risotto.<br />I normally use Slippery Jacks, Shiitake, & Pine mushrooms. Its a bit tedious cleaning & peeling the Slippery Jacks, but worth the effort!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-46707232233744375852011-04-11T12:52:00.003+10:002011-04-11T13:00:09.253+10:00Autumn Randomness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWcUaTwQh8g/TaJt5D87T3I/AAAAAAAAA0o/scaKVDIV2e0/s1600/IMG-20110408-00025.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWcUaTwQh8g/TaJt5D87T3I/AAAAAAAAA0o/scaKVDIV2e0/s320/IMG-20110408-00025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594154514228399986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">Drangon Fruit at Queen Vic markets</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SSkd2qVHhW4/TaJt44IihVI/AAAAAAAAA0g/Q3AQA8NlCbE/s1600/IMG-20110214-00007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SSkd2qVHhW4/TaJt44IihVI/AAAAAAAAA0g/Q3AQA8NlCbE/s320/IMG-20110214-00007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594154511055881554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">View from the office window</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KJkMol_1ow/TaJt4p_nVEI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/eN6EkCez-m0/s1600/IMG-20110410-00030.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KJkMol_1ow/TaJt4p_nVEI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/eN6EkCez-m0/s320/IMG-20110410-00030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594154507260351554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Plants...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEUk1VVURZs/TaJt4X6nFXI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/qqiVj3s9W18/s1600/IMG-20110410-00026.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEUk1VVURZs/TaJt4X6nFXI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/qqiVj3s9W18/s320/IMG-20110410-00026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594154502407525746" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-22895774780940413072011-04-09T15:08:00.002+10:002011-04-09T15:12:16.769+10:00Finding the Path....<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TkD5Xc6Xfl0/TZ_qOrmSUjI/AAAAAAAAA0I/AnBvEOy_9SI/s1600/Mikes%2Bholiday%2B379.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593446800159822386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TkD5Xc6Xfl0/TZ_qOrmSUjI/AAAAAAAAA0I/AnBvEOy_9SI/s320/Mikes%2Bholiday%2B379.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Time to blow the dust off this baby & get it back on the road!! Where this will lead, who knows, but I'll let it find it's own way...</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161898649251401308.post-86755627460189669972010-10-15T07:55:00.003+11:002010-10-15T08:15:42.597+11:00Paper Chef #57 - Chicken Roll<span style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes Paper Chef throws a combination of ingredients at you that leaves you wondering how you can possibly combine such diverse into one dish. This was the case this month.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The random ingredients selected by Sarah from </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://simplycooked.blogspot.com/">Simply Cooked</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> left me a bit worried. How could I pull Dried Dates, Currents, Bread, & Kale into a dish????????</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Firstly I had to find a substitute for Kale (wrong season) so something from the same family to keep it similar - cavoelo nero was the choice.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next: What to create.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thinking about the different flavours, sweet for the currents & dates; neutral with bread (well most types); & savoury cabbage... Hmmmm.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For what ever reason (& I still don't know where it came from) I decided to do a chicken roll or stuffed chicken.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A chicken breast, flattened, with a cavolo nero (or kale), date & current layer, rolled & steamed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Actually sounded quite nice, and tasted great, but didn't photograph well at all...</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NWaVRIuHwhI/TLdxoW-ZZlI/AAAAAAAAAyo/m3WkNe7GXII/s1600/stuffed+chicken.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 292px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NWaVRIuHwhI/TLdxoW-ZZlI/AAAAAAAAAyo/m3WkNe7GXII/s320/stuffed+chicken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528012005796570706" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Contents:</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 tbls chopped currents</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 tbls finely diced dates</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 clove garlic, finely chopped</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">1/4 stp chili powder</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 tbls butter</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 tsp fresh tarragon, chopped</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Handful cavolo nero leaves (no stems)</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 chicken breasts</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Salt</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pepper</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Process:</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Clean & remove any stems from the cavelo nero - you only want the tender leaves - & place into a steamer.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Steam until very tender & remove to cool.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When cool enough to handle, finely chop.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Melt butter in a saucepan over a low heat.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When starting to bubble add the garlic & cook until starting to go translucent</span>.<br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add dates, currents & chili, & cook for a few minutes.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add bread crumbs & gently stir allowing them to absorb all the butter</span>.<br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add tarragon & remove from heat and allow to cool.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NWaVRIuHwhI/TLdxpdRFlqI/AAAAAAAAAyw/aluA-Oz6MpA/s1600/breadcrums.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NWaVRIuHwhI/TLdxpdRFlqI/AAAAAAAAAyw/aluA-Oz6MpA/s320/breadcrums.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528012024665446050" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pound the chicken breasts into a flat roughly rectangular shape.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Place each flat breast on a piece of cling film - hindsight is amazing</span>.<br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spread a layer of the chopped cavolo nero over each breast.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Layer the sweet bread crumb mixture over it & season with salt & pepper</span>.<br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NWaVRIuHwhI/TLdxqFJSPCI/AAAAAAAAAy4/WydJUC3To18/s1600/chicken.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NWaVRIuHwhI/TLdxqFJSPCI/AAAAAAAAAy4/WydJUC3To18/s320/chicken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528012035370138658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Messy part now.. Tightly roll the chicken & hope the stuffing doesn't fall out too much, use the cling film to help roll it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wrap tightly in 2 layers of cling film.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Steam for about 8-9 minutes, just enough to cook the chicken & warm the the centre.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gently remove the cling film - I used scissors rather than trying to unwrap.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">with a Sharp knife, cut slices on an angle</span>.<br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This was served with a verblanc.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1