More food!

Yes, ssh, I know. I'm a little behind in posting. But here's what I've been cooking....

White Peach and Fig Granita

Honey Glazed Pears

Parmesan Twists

Apricot Slice

Lots of yummy things. And more! Just need to edit a few photos...

They were all great dishes. Loved how easy the twists were! Noah loved them too, so that akes them a winner in my book.

Waldorf Salad

I love a good Waldorf Salad. Crips apples, crunchy walnuts and a smooth dressing. This one would have been my new favourite - if it wasn't for the blue cheese in the dressings.

Blue Cheese. Not a fan. Sorry.

For me, it took over the flavour of the salad. Ok, I might have gotten the wrong blue cheese, but like I've said before, good luck finding the right ingredients out here. I got the one I could afford. And it ruined the whole plate.

Still looks good though, right?

I'd like to make it again, but with my own dressing next time. Something a little tangy but not as overpowering.

Apple Puddings with Butterscotch Sauce

Did you see my post about the decadent Apple Puddings on my main blog on Tuesday? No?

Well, go look. Here.

Now.

Then go cook them. They're awesome.

Veal Cutlets with Fennel Salt

I'm a bit behind in posting the completed recipes, but trust me, there have been a lot completed!!

Obviously from the photo I didn't actually use Veal Cutlets. Because good luck finding any out here. I have since bought some veal steak things that are currently waiting in the freezer to be used for the next veal meal. I think it's on the menu for next week.

I really liked the fennel salt with this meal, and even though it was a different piece of meat all together, it still worked really well. Just added a new flavour to the already beautiful lamb cutlets I had. Would be great on a BBQ as well.

Love a good light meal.

The Blackout of 2013

I have to hand it to our parents. They managed to raise us to be good people, cook countless dinners, get all the housework done and teach us all the childhood lesson - and all without ABC2. 

Our TV isn't working. Well, that's not completely right. The aerial is broken. We've had zero TV reception since last Thursday. At first we put it down to the storm that had been raging around us for the previous few days, but when the sun came out and the signal stayed away, I figured it was more than the weather. 

Thankfully a few months ago I bought an AppleTV and that has, literally, saved my sanity. Without it, we'd be eating takeaway and I'd be saving all my toilet time till Hubby got home from work! 

But it makes me wonder, how did parents get by without the Peppa Pig distraction at 5pm so I can get dinner cooked? I know we did have kids shows on in the afternoon, was that the only time we watched TV? My sister was addicted to Pokemon in the mornings but I was too busy getting ready (doing my hair) for school to watch anything. We'd come home and have a Milo and grapes at 4pm, homework, piano, dinner and than, finally, TV before bed. 

Besides the ease of distraction when I need to do something, I'm actually enjoying not having the TV accessible so much. I know that tonight I'll curse it as I'm missing MKR and Revenge, but the rest of the time it's not that bad. I can play shows and movies through the AppleTV for Noah while I cook dinner and a movie as quiet time during the day, but knowing it's not just a click away is...liberating. Hubby and I have been watching a movie at night, rather than potato'ing in front of bad shows. We're even going to bed earlier at night.

Now I just wish Phoenix would get the memo about sleeping past 5:30am.....

But if someone had said to me, pull your aerial out and see how you go, I'd've laughed at them. Why is TV so essential?Because we all enjoy it. As much as Hubby bags it out, I love watching MKR at night, after a long day, seeing other people cook and whinge and get booted out. Not have to think about what needs cleaning and washing and be able to sit for an hour is so nice. 

And if it doesn't get fixed soon, I might get Peppa Pig withdrawals of my own! There's only so much Mickey Mouse I can take.....

Oregano and Garlic Roasted Lamb

This dish, I was quite 'meh' about. In the end, after cooking, it all seemed very bland and I don't know if I under seasoned it or there was not enough flavour... But the dish all tasted the same after the first mouthful and Hubby and I didn't enjoy it all that much.

I think it might have been the wrong cut of meat too as the lamb leg was nice and pink but there was so much fat left on it that hadn't rendered down. It would have benefited from a long slow cooking more, in my humble opinion.

So a few days later, that's what I did. Cut up all the leftovers, added a crapload of veggies and baked it with some beef stock into a pie. The meat was falling apart on our fork and the stock and rosemary I added gave it a much richer flavour.

Waste not, want not. Was a great second dish.

Grilled Prosciutto and Lemon Thyme Haloumi

So I seem to be a little lacking in the ingredients department lately. No lemon thyme out here. Not to worry, I used good old regular thyme and some lemon zest. Worked a treat.

I love Haloumi. Have I told you that yet? I mean, I seriously love Haloumi. Cheese that doesn't melt when you cook it. Furthermore, it goes crispy and golden. What's not to love?!?

I hadn't yet baked this cheese in the oven so was excited to see how it'd turn out. Carefully and lovingly wrapped in gorgeous Prosciutto and drizzled with oil with the thyme and zest tucked in there all nice and snug, I roasted them till golden.

Then gobbled them all up.

Yum. Give it a go!