Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference to how you feel.
One of my simple pleasures is Vegemite on toast. Love it or hate it? I stand loud and proud on the love side. As I am gluten intolerant I don't tend to eat it very often, but every now and then it is worth the cheeky deviation - especially if it is accompanied by a hot cup of tea!
When I was young my Nan took my Mum and I to France. Being so young it wasn't always easy to find something I would eat on the menu at the restaurants we would go to, so my Mum and Nan had taken to carrying a jar of Vegemite around in their hand bag and would ask for bread or toast. Now I am not too sure whether I recall the incident myself, or have just been told the story so many times it feels like a memory, but there was one particular instance where the adoring French waiter insisted on organising my meal for me. This of course led to a sandwich with Vegemite spread a couple of centimeters thick and I was horrified with the first bite! To this day I am still a spread on, scrape off kinda girl.
Are there any simple pleasures in life you can't do without?
And how do you take your Vegemite?
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Comfort Food
Trying to recover from the night before, Saturday was all about comfort food, and as I was feeding the crew of hungry lads who were over watching metal DVD's in preparation for Soundwave Festival the following day, Nachos was the perfect choice. The spicy meat and cheesy combination always goes down well, but I need something fresh to serve it with as it is quite a heavy meal, so I usually whip up a quick, fresh salsa to serve with it to lift it up, and help me feel less guilty about my indulgence!)
My Nachos
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
2 x packets of original Doritos
1 tbs olive oil
500g beef mince
2 x brown onions, chopped
1 x sachet taco seasoning
1 x 400g tin of MexeBeans (I use old El Paso), drained.
2 x jars of salsa (choose your preference of heat, I personally go for medium)
1 cup grated tasty cheese
Sour cream, to serve
Fresh Salsa
1/2 bunch of coriander
2 x tomato, diced
1 x avocado, diced
3-4 jalapeño's, finely chopped (optional)
Juice of 1 lime
Method
1. Preheat oven to 220°C (conventional). Spread the corn chips along the base and sides of a 2L capacity baking dish and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large, deep-sided fry pan over medium high heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add mince to pan and cook, breaking up any large chunks of meat as you go, until browned.
3. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef with 1/4 cup water and mix well to combine.
4. Add beans and salsa. Reduce heat to low-medium and simmer for 5-10mins.
5. Spread beef mixture over corn chips, top with grated cheese and bake for 20-30mins, or until cheese has melted and is starting to brown on top.
6. Meanwhile, combine fresh salsa ingredients in a bowl and set aside until you are ready to serve.
7. When nachos are cooked, divide amongst serving bowls; or place nachos and sides on the middle of the table and let everyone help themselves. Top with sour cream and fresh salsa
To get in my baking for the weekend I decided I would make the most of stone fruit before it goes out of season, and rustled up an Apricot Frangipane Tart (recipe courtesy of Cherie Hausler) for dessert. I very rarely get to say I'm proud of things like pastry. The scientific nature of such things doesn't exactly mix well with my 'she'll be right' style of cooking, but I managed to pull it off quite well. My brother went back for a second helping and I am glad to have some left over poached apricots to have with some Greek yoghurt as a treat.
My Nachos
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
2 x packets of original Doritos
1 tbs olive oil
500g beef mince
2 x brown onions, chopped
1 x sachet taco seasoning
1 x 400g tin of MexeBeans (I use old El Paso), drained.
2 x jars of salsa (choose your preference of heat, I personally go for medium)
1 cup grated tasty cheese
Sour cream, to serve
Fresh Salsa
1/2 bunch of coriander
2 x tomato, diced
1 x avocado, diced
3-4 jalapeño's, finely chopped (optional)
Juice of 1 lime
Method
1. Preheat oven to 220°C (conventional). Spread the corn chips along the base and sides of a 2L capacity baking dish and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large, deep-sided fry pan over medium high heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add mince to pan and cook, breaking up any large chunks of meat as you go, until browned.
3. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef with 1/4 cup water and mix well to combine.
4. Add beans and salsa. Reduce heat to low-medium and simmer for 5-10mins.
5. Spread beef mixture over corn chips, top with grated cheese and bake for 20-30mins, or until cheese has melted and is starting to brown on top.
6. Meanwhile, combine fresh salsa ingredients in a bowl and set aside until you are ready to serve.
7. When nachos are cooked, divide amongst serving bowls; or place nachos and sides on the middle of the table and let everyone help themselves. Top with sour cream and fresh salsa
To get in my baking for the weekend I decided I would make the most of stone fruit before it goes out of season, and rustled up an Apricot Frangipane Tart (recipe courtesy of Cherie Hausler) for dessert. I very rarely get to say I'm proud of things like pastry. The scientific nature of such things doesn't exactly mix well with my 'she'll be right' style of cooking, but I managed to pull it off quite well. My brother went back for a second helping and I am glad to have some left over poached apricots to have with some Greek yoghurt as a treat.
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Week That Was
This week has been incredibly hectic with extra curricular activities assigned after work every night. It's been fun, but I can't begin to tell you how forward I'm looking to a bit of a lie in with a cup of coffee and the papers this weekend!
I was however, pleasantly surprised with my ability to keep up with healthy, and more importantly, tasty meals for lunch and dinner... Until the weekend!
Friday night was action packed and alcohol fueled, as B-Man and our partners in crime, JamOrla Corp, headed out to see Spiegelworld's Empire. It's hard to explain what Empire is all about, without ruining the experience - part of the enjoyment lies in not knowing what to expect! But I would recommend checking it out - but get in quick, as it's only in town for the remainder of the week.
After a number of bottles of champagne, we made our way to Frankie's Pizza, another wonderful creation from Anton Forte and Jason Scott, who are also behind Shady Pines and Baxter Inn - two of my favourite night spots!
What I really love about places like Frankie's is not ordering off a menu. What impresses me most and quite often makes my night, are staff that (excuse the French) know their shit. Frankie's is one of those places.
"I would like 2 cocktails please, something with lime and mint, and a pizza that's got a little bit of everything - can you suggest something?". Without blinking an eye lid the wonderful woman behind the bar shot me a smile and said, "yep, I've got this". I could not have chosen better myself, she certainly did have IT. The second round consisted of apple and gin and after that.... We, thankfully, put ourselves into cabs!
I was however, pleasantly surprised with my ability to keep up with healthy, and more importantly, tasty meals for lunch and dinner... Until the weekend!
Friday night was action packed and alcohol fueled, as B-Man and our partners in crime, JamOrla Corp, headed out to see Spiegelworld's Empire. It's hard to explain what Empire is all about, without ruining the experience - part of the enjoyment lies in not knowing what to expect! But I would recommend checking it out - but get in quick, as it's only in town for the remainder of the week.
After a number of bottles of champagne, we made our way to Frankie's Pizza, another wonderful creation from Anton Forte and Jason Scott, who are also behind Shady Pines and Baxter Inn - two of my favourite night spots!
What I really love about places like Frankie's is not ordering off a menu. What impresses me most and quite often makes my night, are staff that (excuse the French) know their shit. Frankie's is one of those places.
"I would like 2 cocktails please, something with lime and mint, and a pizza that's got a little bit of everything - can you suggest something?". Without blinking an eye lid the wonderful woman behind the bar shot me a smile and said, "yep, I've got this". I could not have chosen better myself, she certainly did have IT. The second round consisted of apple and gin and after that.... We, thankfully, put ourselves into cabs!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Challenge #1 - The Affair
The affair I have been having with food & drink over the past five years has been growing more intense and I am tempted more and more to leave my financially stable, good on paper career for the fruits of my desire: a career in food.
What that is exactly I have yet to discover... but I am hoping to narrow the list of possibilities down over the next 12-24 months.
One of the things I struggle with the most with food is the battle between comfort food and healthy food. Nothing pleases me more than tucking into a steaming bowl of pasta, serving up a cheese and fruit platter or devouring a bowl of homemade ice cream. Who am I kidding - a batch of ice cream is lucky to last 5 days in my house!
But, I also like to take care of myself. I train hard at the gym and feel so much better when I don't consume wheat, large amounts of dairy or sugar. I thrive on protein packed breakfasts, fresh salads, veggies and of course plenty of water!
The challenge is coming up with meals that allow me to eat the way I should but taste like something far more deviant.
Being organized and doing as much preparation as possible for the week ahead on Sunday makes a huge difference for me in making sure I don't binge on the wrong foods. This week I am trying a salad of poached chicken, apricot & chickpeas from one of my favourite cooks, Jill Dupliex, for lunch. Jill always inspires me with her use of punchy flavours that never produce a boring meal and always leave you feeling satisfied.
I have always been a fan of Asian food. The balance between salty, spicy and sweet appeals to my taste buds immensely, as do the mix of textures. The dinner I am most looking forward to trying this week is a Thai lamb salad loaded with mint, coriander and chilli.
And as my treat, a tub of connoisseur blueberry crumble ice cream. Lets see if it makes it to Friday!
Tonight's dinner: gourmet steak sandwiches - thyme, chilli & garlic eye fillet with rocket, slow roasted tomatoes, onion jam, aioli, bocconcini and parmesan.
What that is exactly I have yet to discover... but I am hoping to narrow the list of possibilities down over the next 12-24 months.
One of the things I struggle with the most with food is the battle between comfort food and healthy food. Nothing pleases me more than tucking into a steaming bowl of pasta, serving up a cheese and fruit platter or devouring a bowl of homemade ice cream. Who am I kidding - a batch of ice cream is lucky to last 5 days in my house!
But, I also like to take care of myself. I train hard at the gym and feel so much better when I don't consume wheat, large amounts of dairy or sugar. I thrive on protein packed breakfasts, fresh salads, veggies and of course plenty of water!
The challenge is coming up with meals that allow me to eat the way I should but taste like something far more deviant.
Being organized and doing as much preparation as possible for the week ahead on Sunday makes a huge difference for me in making sure I don't binge on the wrong foods. This week I am trying a salad of poached chicken, apricot & chickpeas from one of my favourite cooks, Jill Dupliex, for lunch. Jill always inspires me with her use of punchy flavours that never produce a boring meal and always leave you feeling satisfied.
I have always been a fan of Asian food. The balance between salty, spicy and sweet appeals to my taste buds immensely, as do the mix of textures. The dinner I am most looking forward to trying this week is a Thai lamb salad loaded with mint, coriander and chilli.
And as my treat, a tub of connoisseur blueberry crumble ice cream. Lets see if it makes it to Friday!
Tonight's dinner: gourmet steak sandwiches - thyme, chilli & garlic eye fillet with rocket, slow roasted tomatoes, onion jam, aioli, bocconcini and parmesan.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Challenge Accepted
I don't know about anybody else, but my 2012 was pretty dismal. The job opportunity of a life-time, the one that was supposed to be the "making of me" turned out to be short lived, and unsuccessful, leaving me unemployed for the second time in 9 months; I plugged away religiously at the gym only to gain weight; and my relationship of 7 years reached breaking point. So when midnight rolled around on 31 December, I was more than thrilled to welcome 2013 with open arms in the front door and boot 2012 out the back (kinda like the saber-cat on the Flintstones).
I suppose I can't hate on 2012 too much. It may have appeared to be nothing but struggle after struggle, but it would be silly of me to dismiss how much, in hindsight, I gained. It was, after all, the year I pushed myself out of my comfort zone & forced myself to be brutally honest.
As 2013 arrived to the sound of fireworks exploding overhead, my girlfriends squealing in delight & thousands of strangers attempting to sing Auld Lang Syne (the lyrics are much harder to remember after 8hours of drinking than you think), I was surprised by how much emotion I felt to be leaving 2012 behind me. I may have even shed a cider-fueled tear or two.
So why am I sharing this with you?
2012 ignited a flame. A call to action. It's time to grow up (this means new shoes, right?) & get my life on track. To stop being so flighty, as my year 8 English teacher once put it, and start doing what makes me happy. Start being who I want to be.
Like many people making their New Years Resolutions, I have committed myself to a series of challenges for 2013. And seeing as what gets measured, gets done, I'm using this blog to hold myself accountable and track my progress.
So please follow me in what I am hoping will be a fun filled year. I look forward to sharing my challenges with you in my next post.
If you have set yourself any goals or resolutions for the year, I would love to know what they are & hear how you are doing nearly 2 months in.
I suppose I can't hate on 2012 too much. It may have appeared to be nothing but struggle after struggle, but it would be silly of me to dismiss how much, in hindsight, I gained. It was, after all, the year I pushed myself out of my comfort zone & forced myself to be brutally honest.
As 2013 arrived to the sound of fireworks exploding overhead, my girlfriends squealing in delight & thousands of strangers attempting to sing Auld Lang Syne (the lyrics are much harder to remember after 8hours of drinking than you think), I was surprised by how much emotion I felt to be leaving 2012 behind me. I may have even shed a cider-fueled tear or two.
So why am I sharing this with you?
2012 ignited a flame. A call to action. It's time to grow up (this means new shoes, right?) & get my life on track. To stop being so flighty, as my year 8 English teacher once put it, and start doing what makes me happy. Start being who I want to be.
Like many people making their New Years Resolutions, I have committed myself to a series of challenges for 2013. And seeing as what gets measured, gets done, I'm using this blog to hold myself accountable and track my progress.
So please follow me in what I am hoping will be a fun filled year. I look forward to sharing my challenges with you in my next post.
If you have set yourself any goals or resolutions for the year, I would love to know what they are & hear how you are doing nearly 2 months in.
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