Breakfast Sausage Cravings
I think I've mentioned our lovely butcher staffed by a dozen Eastern European women with varying degrees of patience. The other day I bought some sausages without casings that looked just like sausages you'd get in a pair along with two scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon, and two triangles of toast off any breakfast menu back home.

Australians don't seem to do breakfast sausage though, so I went on a hunt for a recipe of spices to add to my meat. This one posted by a couple of Americans in Germany was the one I went with, and it turned out great. The red pepper gives that perfect lingering heat. I fully endorse it.

Links for Later
I've been saving the tabs on this browser for the better part of December, so in an effort to clear the slate before the new year, I thought I'd do a quick link post.

Food-Related
♥ Fresh Corn & Avocado Salad: I made this one for our Boxing Day get-together, and it was really nice and super easy. I used verjuice for the Champagne vinegar and squeezed a bit of lime over the avos to keep them from turning brown before we ate.

♥ Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry: for future reference (via Kris)

♥ Black Eyed Peas & Greens: Probably isn't going to happen as a New Year's tradition this year, but I'm curious to try the recipe.

♥ Homemade Peppermint Patties: Seems do-able and sounds good.

♥ Quick Bread in a Bottle: I made these jars for my in-laws for Christmas this year. I admit I haven't actually tried the recipe yet, so I hope it's good. Just ran out of time. I found milk bottles at Spotlight. Hansldesigned the fold-out directions with detachable recipe card. (Email me if you want to use it.)


♥ Real Whipped Cream on the Go at Freeze Happy: Put whipped cream dollops on wax paper and freeze to use later on desserts or in coffee. But the real reason I've saved this link is the hilarious aside at the bottom about make-shift piping bags and the kitty-poo-like results they produce.

♥ Alinea Mosaic: I first heard about the restaurant Alinea when the owner was interviewed on one of my NPR podcasts about this time last year. Since then, I've been intrigued by molecular gastronomy. This has also been fueled by the chemists on Top Chef. From what I can tell the Mosaic sight has a forum about a book they must have released, but the topics are fascinating. They are surprisingly transparent with their techniques and recipes. See also: All Things Alinea Flickr Pool for some mouth-watering photos.

For the Locals
♥ Sublime, Photography & Coffeehouse: One Saturday we were traveling from the Rocklea markets to the Moggill Markets and passed this place in Graceville. They just opened a little coffee stand out behind their studio. It's a really lovely place, good coffee, and relaxing spot to read the paper.

Cute, Crafty, or Otherwise
♥ Retro Renovation: "your daily dose of mid century renovation resources... design inspiration... fun finds... and a growing community of people all interested in restoring, preserving and cherishing their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s homes."

♥ Tonic Living: Amazingly beautiful retro fabrics. Love, love, love.

♥ 2009 Christmas Candy Box: A downloadable template for a cute little gift box. Check out the '08 & '07 editions as well.

What's Cooking?
Seeing as I'm not exactly a cake fan, I didn't really think about making a cake forlHans's birthday last week until I came across this recipe for Gary Rhodes's Guinness chocolate cake. A cake with beer in it? Sounds manly, right? I had a piece and didn't actually mind it. It's really rich. (I chopped up a 100g bar of 70% dark chocolate and stirred it in just before pouring into the pan.)

I topped it with a yummy Irish Cream Cheese frosting:
4 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 Tbsp Irish cream
Blend cream cheese & butter together with a mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar and finally Irish cream. Lick beaters.

More Recipe Goodness
♥ Gourmet's Favorite Cookies: 1948-2008: via Kris. I don't love making cookies given that I only have one cookiesheet that fits in my abnormally narrow oven, but a few of these have almost tempted me. Speculaas, Dutch Caramel Cashews, and Lemon Thins remind me of Grandma.

♥ Greek Almond Tea Cakes I think we're going to make these for my birthday treat this week.

Making Coffee
Two weeks ago, I noticed that the coffee tree out back was filled with bright red cherries. After a little bit of online research, I thought it might be fun to give homemade coffee processing a try. (In hindsight, "fun" is not the word I would actually use anymore.)

You can see each stage of the process in my Flickr set. My thumbs are raw from taking off the parchment this afternoon. I hope to roast next weekend.

Oh Honey Mustard
I've been a member of Vibe Village for almost a year now. In that time I've tried some fun products, but last weekend I got to host a party that featured some Masterfoods Family Favourites sauces with a bonus Glade Scented Oil Candle.

We had Tuscan Meatballs, Honey Mustard Chicken, Beef Stroganoff & Cheesy Potato Bake, and they were all pretty darn good. I've never met a potato bake I didn't like, so that was a given. But my favourite was definitely the Honey Mustard Chicken. The recipe on the packet was SO EASY and would be something I could throw together after work. It only requires chicken cutlets, sliced mushrooms, 100 ml pouring cream, and the sauce base. Yum.

Anyway, I took some photos of the night and thought I'd upload them as I'm clearing off my memory sticks.

Crafty
I've had a couple of projects set aside that I finally took action on this week. I've been wanting a bulletin board in the kitchen for quite a while for two reasons. One is for the obvious use of tacking up notes and photos. The other is to showcase my pins.

Back when I was on the road, I tried to get a lapel pin from every area where we stopped and put it on my backpack which went everywhere I did. Some were the touristy type which said specifically where they came from, and others were a bit more generic. But each one invoked a memory.

I have picked up a few so far over the last few years, so I thought the cork boards would be a good place for them. I originally wanted to get the cork trivets from Ikea, but I found these at Bunnings. They fit perfectly between the picture rail and the top edge of the kitchen nook, so I settled. I gave them a light mist of white spray paint, but I may go over them again to make them a little more even toned and whiter.


Now I just have to find the rest of my pins. Hmm...

Pain in the Neck
Two days ago I woke up with a horrible pain in my neck. I don't know if I just slept wrong or if the new chilly weather at night cramped me up, but I haven't been able to turn my head for two days. I'm starting to feel kind of silly. Any of my chiropractor and/or massage therapist friends out there have any advice?

The Bitchin' Kitchen
This weekend I dove into my latest Donna Hay Magazine, and we have been eating like royalty. Friday night we had the slow-roasted chicken pictured below. I put my version of the recipe up at TastyPlanner. Seriously, this one was SO easy and SO delicious. The aroma will start to kill you with hunger about 35 minutes into baking. I wanted to go sit in the kitchen for the next hour just to SMELL it!



We had the Puffed Cheese Omlette (below) yesterday along with toast and yummy maple baked beans. This morning we had Creamy Scrambled Eggs with leftover beans. Yum! And tonight we're having the Sage & Cauliflower Risotto.


I don't mind being domestic when it involves food.

Try This Recipe!
A while back Kris in Sydney posted a recipe for Spicy Shredded Pork. I was quite interested, because pork has become like a new friend to me ever since we started going to our little butcher. (Seriously, I love the women there as much as the meat. They're all of Eastern European descent and are boisterous and such a hoot!)

So yesterday we planned to have dinner with the brother- & sister-in-law (who just broke her foot), and I said I would go to their place to cook and keep her company. That was just my sneaky way to try this recipe in a fully air-conditioned home, instead of baking myself out of our house. Teehee.

I must say, that I am now in love with Spicy Shredded Pork. It's dreamy. It's so delish. We had it on tortillas with homemade pico de gallo and guacamole. I also had lettuce, tons of cilantro/coriander, lime wedges and sour cream on hand. A-MAY-ZING!

Also, for those who cower at the word "spicy", I'll just add that it is spicy in that it has spices in it, but those couple dashes of chili powder won't give it much more than a completely mild rating. I'd serve it to children, no problem. I'd also look into adding some chili peppers if you want any sort of heat.

Inspirational Thoughts
I came across this site with all sorts of ideas to motivate people to go out and do something beautiful.

For example: "Start a worm compost. Use it for your paper junk mail. Use the soil regenerated from the decomposition of your junk mail to grow flowers. Pick the flowers and give them away to people. If anyone asks you why you are giving them flowers, tell them that it's junk mail."

Computer Woes All Over Again
Remember a couple of days when I broke my computer? Well, I thought I had tricked it into working by creating a new user profile. And for a few days, it magically worked with no issues. Until it realized it was being fooled, and now it doesn't work again much at all. iTunes and LOTRO are the only programs that don't seem to crash it... which is great if I was after a gaming/music-listening machine, but I have needs, people. Internet needs.

Hanslis gung-ho about getting me a new laptop, but the one he's looking at for me seems to have some heat issues. (As though my other one didn't already have heat issues, this one gets up to 10 degrees hotter in some places.)

While I ultimately just want a computer that works, I'm finding all kinds of joy in finding the hilarity in the situation.

Me: Hey, can you preheat the oven to Dell Laptop for me?

Him: Do you know if it's supposed to be cooler today?
Me: It's going to be Dell Laptop until this afternoon, unless it rains.

Him: But it's so much cheaper than the other ones with the same specs.
Me: Yes, but have you considered how much the skin grafts for my legs are going to be?

*sigh* I laugh, because otherwise I'd cry. My poor baby is dead.

I ♥ BioBags

We got this bin ages ago to resolve our stinky compost issue. At the time, Biome was offering the bin free with the purchase of all the bags or the other way around. That's they only way I can explain the pile of 210 bin liner bags.

The BioBags are made from corn and are completely compostable and biodegrade in a matter of weeks. They are also breathable, so the waste inside the bin dries out making it less stinky. And since the whole bag can go into the compost, there's no slimy container to wash out afterward.

My Mexican Valentine
I'm not really one to need a big Valentine's to-do. But we've been throwing around the idea of hitting our favourite (and, in my book, the ONLY proper...) Mexican Restaurant in Brisbane for Valentine's Day.

Then today, I came across this recipe for Mexican Chocolate Pots de Crème, and I think we have ourselves a Valentine's dessert. MMMM!

Bragging Rights
Rave's got a very complimentary review of my bearded soul man's show a couple weeks ago. And they are also right about ME being incredible. Can't wait to see them again!

February Photos
I got partway through one of the days that we were in Albany last year with my aunt & uncle and parents.

Link Dump
There are some tabs I have been saving and reopening obviously since November, and it's getting a bit ridiculous when I have to scroll for miles to get to my most recently opened ones. So here you go, my links to you:

♥ Wild Rice Stuffing: This was the recipe I used for our Thanksgiving dinner. It was really yummy, even without the acorn squashes.

♥ Chow Thanksgiving Ideas: Those creamy carrots... DELISH!

♥ Chow Entertaining Ideas: Theme Nights!

♥ Cool It Down: Chow's Cooling Off: Icy desserts and good things like Chocolate Icebox Cake with Mascarpone and Blackberries (which we had over Christmas break). Then there's Lemon & Mascarpone Sorbetto, which I have yet to try. And also sweet cherry sorbetto.

♥ DIY Macro Photo Studio: I always see these around the place, and I'm sure I've probably linked before... but here you go.

♥ fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au: just a random beauty site in Australia that carries Phyto.

♥ French Fried Onions Recipe: You have to give up your firstborn to get your hands on a can of french fried onions around here, so I broke down and made my own last weekend using this recipe. (I practically didn't have any left for the green bean casserole, because they were SO yummy to snack on!) I used self-rising flour and have the theory that it helped puff up the crust a bit. Who knows.

♥ HTML colour chart and Color Shader. Guess who was working on websites last weekend. (If you know where to find the hubby's homepage, have a look. Wordpress kicked my 'a', but it's semi-mostly done except if you're using IE6. But then I'd like to introduce you to 2009 and tell you to update.)

Why Someday I Will End Up with Claw Marks Across My Face
Last nightlHans was doing some recording. At one point I went in to talk to him, and Chucky followed me in. I had this moment of genius and asked if he wanted to sample the cat. Brilliant, right?

Yeah, Chucky doesn't like to be held except on his own terms. So dangling him in front of the microphone wasn't really the brightest of ideas. I would, however, like to point out that the rumbling you hear is purring, so he still loves me. I think the reverb adds a particularly nice touch.



(Yes, when we address the cat, we use this high, squeaky voice that comes from an old ventriloquist show by Ronn Lucas called "Who's in Charge Here". If you know it, you are awesome and probably had The Disney Channel in 1983.)

Breadbaking Addendum
If you all are like Aimee and are raring to go at the whole bread recipe I posted the other day, definitely have a look at this 9-page article. It includes more tips and more recipes to make with the basic mix. I made naan yesterday to go with our Indian leftovers. While it wasn't exactly the way I wanted, it was super easy and should be great once I work out how to make it thinner.

I took the last of my first batch out this morning for some bread to go with our breakfast. So I've got my second batch of dough rising on the counter. Yay! I feel so accomplished!

I'm a Breadmaking Machine
On one of my new podcasts of The Splendid Table, Lynn spoke to Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois about their book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery that Revolutionizes Home Baking. It was a short segment, but I was instantly intrigued.

I love the idea of fresh bread -- bread which contains only what I decide goes in. My grandma makes wonderfully delicious bread herself. And I have made attempts in the past, but who has time (or counter space) for all the kneading and rising and everything?

So Jeff & Zoe's book has a "master recipe" which can be found on the Splendid Table site. And then apparently the book has all kinds of variations for those more adventurous. I admit, I did read the preview of the first part of the book to get additional tips, but I do intend to buy the book to support them.

I bought the flour and gigantic container of yeast granules with a confidence that surprised even me. I had a big container that fits in the door of my fridge, and so I mixed up the dough as directed, let it rise, and then refrigerated it overnight.

The next day, I lopped off a hunk of dough, formed it into a bit of a log, and after resting, baked it. It was beautiful. I should have taken photos. The next day I tried again with the oven temp down slightly and left it in a bit longer. I was approaching perfection. I MAKE BREAD, people!

The dough can stay in the fridge for up to two weeks, and as it ages, it develops more sourdough flavour. It's so simple to mix up. There's no kneading involved. In fact, you're meant to handle it as little as possible.

The other night, Hans took some out and after resting, he pressed out a couple little pizza crusts. The dough is pretty sticky, so we used a lot of flour on the hands and cutting board. We also sprinkled polenta on the pizza stone to help remove after baking. The pizza turned out amazing, and I'm sure this will become a regular treat.

I recommend everyone give it a try! Have a look at the author's website: www.artisanbreadinfive.com. You can also do a Google search, and you'll find tons of people talking about their experiences too.

Other Yummy Goodness
While I'm talking food, I came across this recipe for this crockpot recipe for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup by another American blogger in Australia Elsja. It sounds SO GOOD. Too bad it's too hot to try it now!

Other Expats
And while I'm talking about American expats, Aussie Erin is a New Yorker in Sydney.

I <3 Kikki K
It seems like hardly any Australian vendors have websites which show the majority of their stock. Most post a PDF of their latest flyer and call it good.

So I was thrilled to discover that my favourite office supply place kikki.K has a simple site with products to behold. I am allowed to buy one product every time we are at the mall, which is rare for us. So now that I can see what they have that is new, I can make plans to visit the mall more often. :)

My Christmas list read "anything from kikki.K", and he delivered. In fact, tonight I am going to start going through my Donna Hays from last year and use my gifts. He got me the recipe sticky notes, this recipe box, recipe card refills, and finally the magnetic shopping list in case I decide I need some more ingredients in the house after looking at all that food!

Mmm... Creamy
I made these creamy carrots for dinner tonight. I'm officially making every vegetable creamy from now on. YUM!

Belated Thanksgiving greets to all ya'll. I'm homesick or something and not coping super great at the moment. The hot weather and the onslaught of Christmas "cheer" isn't helping.

Bah humbug.

Pending Arrival

I have to say that things are looking... good. It's not really the "finding places to stash clutter" that I'm worried about, it's most definitely the "finding it all back again" part.

So now that it's crunch time, I'm starting to re-look at what I REALLY need to have done before they get here. So the curtains may not get washed, but since they are staying in our room, the contents of bedside table drawers are getting repositioned, if you know what I'm saying.

It's going to be good. Trying not to stress.

Food Meme
And since I don't really feel like doing anything anymore, I'm using this as a distraction:

Here's a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that [very good taste] think[s] every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.

Here’s what I want you to do:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison - I don't think so
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp - ahh Minnesota summers
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich - I've had bites but never an entire one; gross.
14. Aloo gobi - this is one of the dishes we get at our new favourite Indian place
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes - plum wine, mmmm
19. Steamed pork buns - perfect sweet and savory combo
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries - my aunt the mountaineer pointed some edibles one out on a hike
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans - one of our specialties
25. Brawn, or head cheese - I've been in close proximity, but don't think I tried it
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl - I don't dig the clams
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut - we had it for our Oktoberfest last year
35. Root beer float - oh how I miss A&W!
36. Cognac with a fat cigar - separately but not together
37. Clotted cream tea - most recently at Newstead House a couple weeks ago
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat's milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more - $40 short
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut - meh
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads - nearly striken, but I could probably try if I didn't know ahead of time
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake - I've had them all but would argue that they should be separate
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky - I love the strawberry ones
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant. - not looking good with none in AU
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers - violets in my salad a couple weeks ago
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox - waste of a good bagel
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

We Got Wheels!
Three years ago I left my last car in Nashville and rode back to Iowa in a moving truck with my folks. And yesterday we finally replaced it.

We've been talking about how we should have a car by the time my parents get here just so that it's easier to get them around. We'll still use public transport, but it's nice to have the option of getting away to some place that isn't necessarily on a train line.

We, being who we are, however, hadn't really done much looking at cars. We sort of had our hearts set on at least test-driving a Swift. But then the soccer mom in me started leaning towards a CRV. This was all virtual searching though.

Then yesterday, we had gotten back from our McAmerica trip, and Hans's brother came to the door with a flyer describing this Mitsubishi Colt. A test drive and some smooth talking later, we had the guy down to our price range with a 3-year warranty. Next thing we know, we're signing papers.

Of course, neither of us can legally drive it yet, but I'm guessing I should do something about that this week. Eeep! I need so much practice. I've driven my in-law's car down the street to the grocery store, but I've managed to avoid all roundabouts thus far. I'm freaking out, but it will be okay.

It's kind of cute in that ugly sort of way, which is totally our style. It's amazingly roomy, and it'll be great for hauling band gear around. I'm excited.

Ocean Moonrises
Then last night we went down to the Gold Coast for dinner. Someone had recommended Matsuzaka to us for the Teppanyaki (where the table is around a chef who cooks for you), and I'm recommending it to you. Be sure to request Chef Phil. He is personable and really made the experience enjoyable.

So enjoyable that I completely overate and was miserable well into the night. But it was so delicious. We had chicken and beef and fried rice and scallops, prawns & I tried morton bay bugs for the first time. I'm not a huge seafood fan, but the sauce they put on the bugs was incredible. We nearly licked our plates.

Another special moment for the night was when we were walking to the restaurant along the shore. The huge orange moon was just coming up and reflecting over the ocean. There have not been many opportunities for this Iowa girl to see such a magnificent sight, and I almost didn't want to go inside just to savour a few extra moments.

In Other News
I'm completely addicted to the Pack Rat game on Facebook. Let me know if you want an invite!

Mmm, Tasty
I've been a bit unwell this past week. In fact it was exactly a week ago I was sitting slouched in my chair at work saying that I felt yucky. I then proceeded to spend the next five days on the couch. Changing from one pair of pajamas to another.

I also became enthralled with Tasty Planner. It's a really cute little place to post recipes, but then you can also drag your recipes into the weekly planner. This is important for us, because we do our veggie shopping fortnightly, and I need an idea of what we're going to have otherwise a lot seems to end up in the compost.

I only have three recipes up on my profile so far, because I think it looks nicer when they have photos. But you know how hard it is to photograph food in bad lighting, so only foods I've made in the daylight have made it up so far.

Pre-Sadness
I was also given some bad news on Saturday. I seems that one of the little chickens CROWED on Saturday morning, making it less of a girl than the others. We suspect it's Pepper because s/he's got a lot bigger comb than the others.

Apparently there is a chicken exchange program at the grain place, so I may trade him/her in for another little bub. I'm still holding out hope that it was one of the others before we go to such measures.

About the time I think I'm going to post regularly, upload all these new photos, maybe even redesign things around here, that's when I get too busy to post even once in a while or take my camera out of the bag.

It's good though. (I think...) I'm doing some extra work on the side for one of our clients who needs transcripts done of some footage they shot for a "supernanny"-like program. Some of it is just straight pieces to camera, but the children interacting and carrying on has been quite grueling.

I spent the entire weekend working on them with only a few minor breaks for food. From Friday night to Sunday night, I got 5.5 tapes done and was quite pleased with the accomplishment. The only problem is that I have four and a half left to do. Well, three after my work so far today. *sigh* It's paying off my camera. That's what I have to keep reminding myself.

Linky-Links
But while I'm taking a little break for sanity's sake, these are some links to remind myself later. (Most are probably from Not Martha, but I've got a dozen tabs open and have lost track now.)

♥ Open Faces Egg Salad & Watercress Sandwich: even though I'm not a super egg-salad fan, this is making my mouth water.

♥ Favourite Egg Recipes: as I hope to have fresh eggs soon, if Pepper doesn't turn out to be a rooster.

♥ For the girls, Mon.thly: Keep track of when Aunt Irma is due to visit next. (And if you haven't seen this episode of The IT Crowd, do yourself a favour.)

(And yes, I'm aware that I'm now spelling in British English. I'm trying to get into the habit so that it makes the transcripts easier. I still have no idea when to use "-ize" or "-ise" though.)

♥ Pancetta Cups & Hollandaise, at the cutely named Iron Stef. (Can you tell I'm really into food and cooking lately?)

♥ Gardening in Containers: my sister-in-law has a thriving herb garden in a tub outside. My MIL just started some tomatoes in a bucket, and I'm thinking I need to be getting in on this growing action. I really want to grow chives as they are so hit or miss at the markets lately.

Food for Thought (& Food)
I came back to my desk after lunch and found a present on my chair from my very sweet, very naughty husband. It is a sort of book/cookbook called Maggie's Harvest by Maggie Beer. I had been admiring it a few weeks ago, because the book itself is just beautiful. The fabric cover, the teal and orange embroidery, the overall girth, the heirloom potential... it was so ME. (Make sure you look at this review with its gorgeous photos of the book.)

One look at the price tag, however, and I had exactly one hundred and twenty-five reasons not to need it anymore. (The cover will just get dirty in a kitchen... who has room for a 736-page book these days... etc.)

But now it's mine, and I can't wait to spend all day tomorrow out on the Adirondack thumbing through it with my baby chicken chirping at me. I'm excited, because she is an Australian cook, even though Australian food isn't SO different from American food (despite the obvious kangaroo meat, general blandness, and bacon on everything). I'm interested on her take on food, because she writes about the ingredients and the recipes instead of just rattling off recipes.

I don't know. I'm into food these days. I even got an "ooo-la-la" in response to my white truffle popcorn we had for the Project Runway Finale Party.

Speaking of Good Food
I know not many of you dear readers are Brisbanites, but may I recommend Tongue & Groove in West End. Hans had a show there on Wednesday, so we grabbed a bite to eat between set-up and show. Granted, they did lose our order so we were good and hungry by the time food came, but while others might have been perturbed, we weren't in a hurry. Plus they gave us some risotto balls when they realized the error.

I have seriously been thinking about the pumpkin & risotto tortellini for the past two days. (And I only swiped a couple off of Hans's plate.) I had the chicken salad, which was AMAZING with its sundried tomatoes, pinenuts, brie & dijon thyme dressing. I haven't craved going back to a restaurant this much since Mama Carolla's. (And y'all know how much I miss my Mama's!)

It's good. Can't wait to go back. The potato wedge-like things were great too. Yum.

Go, Canada!
In my hometown high school, there was always a bit of a traditional ribbing of Canadians due to the large influx of them every school year. Who knows why my rural Iowa hometown has the college of choice for them? They DO have a hockey team, but until recently they had to practice nearly an hour away for lack of a local indoor rink. While I took classes there with some very lovely Canadians, I've never considered myself to be much of a Canada fan.

Until today, that is, when I found out that several of their cities have a Green Bin Program for organic waste. Everything from food to soiled food papers to plants to kitty litter. Brilliant! Then they turn it into biogas and free compost.

I had wanted to compost for years but never had until I moved here. Now I don't understand why more people don't. Between our recycling bin and the compost, we barely throw anything out. It's so wonderful, and I love them for making it so easy.

Fritterin' Away Their Noontime, Suppertime, Choretime, Too
I received a subscription to Donna Hay for my birthday, and I'm realizing how much I love cooking. I also got the Donna Hay 2008 diary which has two recipes at the beginning of each month featuring fruit or vegetables which are in season at that time.

I've meant to post about January's recipes, both of which were wonderful -- raspberry bircher muesli and blueberry muffins. (I know, I used to claim that I didn't like raspberries. But being 31-year-old, I thought it was time to try them again. Turns out I might just not like raspberry flavoured things.) But anyway I'm just posting now to say that tonight we're having the corn fritters. I've never even made a fritter in my life before, so it will be exciting.

Fruit Salad... Yummy Yummy
My husband has a bit of an aversion to fruit due mostly to childhood experiences involving "overripe" fruit. Let's just say... his parents are Dutch. You don't waste food.

The thing was that I knew we were going to have two weeks at home, and I didn't want to be snacking on naughty stuff the entire time. I wanted to have some good snacks in the house too.

So I made my mom's Fruit Soup, albeit the Aussie/Danielle way -- which is to say that this country doesn't always have the ingredients, and I don't always measure. But it is so great and so refreshing, and I'm sharing the recipe here.

Fruit Soup
3 Tbsp Sago (the real recipe calls for tapioca, but I'll be darned if I could find that here)
2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
2 oranges juiced
2 lemons juiced
(Bear in mind that the lemons were the size of the average sunkist orange, and the oranges were the size of an average grapefruit, you might want one more of each if they are small. The original recipe calls for frozen orange juice and lemonade concentrate, but we don't have that here. I liked the fresh juices just as much.)
1 box frozen strawberries thawed with the juice
1 container/can diced peaches with the juice
2 branches seedless grapes (red and/or green) halved... approximate amount, more or less would be equally good

Put sago, sugar, & water in pan. Boil until sago is translucent. I think I ended up adding more water because of my unfamiliarity with sago, but it was probably fine without.

Remove from heat and add juices and fruits. Stir well and chill. Stir again before serving. Serve in a pretty dish by itself... but it is divine over ice cream.

I had intended to add other fresh fruits from the market, but they weren't very flavoursome. Still it was a hit, and I have even been told that I can make it again. Success!

Tidbits
♥ The photos below were from our Australia Zoo adventure last week. Despite the wind and rain, it was a wonderful day. We saw Terri feed the crocs. Got to see the tiger cubs. I was most impressed that they promote recycling and use real silverware and crockery to reduce waste... love it! I am now reading Terri's book My Steve and relate to it in a weird way.

♥ Lego Batman is coming... eeee!

♥ Two youtube videos you really need to watch: 24: the Unaired 1994 Pilot (omg!) and Trajen is the Movie Font.

♥ We are trying to get back into our jetlagged routine from last year when we got up early and went to bed early and thusly did not suffer in the heat so much on the way to work. We've worked up to 6:00 with 5-5:30 being the goal. I'm a bit cranky.

♥ Even though they don't ship here, I am seriously thinking about getting yoga toes. I have no idea why.

♥ Our illness at the beginning of the holidays is now under suspicion after we returned to work to discover that six of the ten of us who went to dinner that Friday night before were all hating life on Sunday. For the record, I thought the place was skanky the moment we walked in.