Sunday 18th September 2011

This morning I got up and was surprised I didn't have a hangover!

What's for breakfast!?

Ham and Cheese Croissants



I also used up the rest of the bacon, eggs and bread.


Before we left Dunsborough, we visited the town centre to refuel. Our cars and ourselves.

The Dunsborough Bakery.


I had the Beef Cheek & Red Wine pie.


The meat was soooo tender!


An awesome weekend of relaxing and cooking. Can't wait for our next road trip!

Saturday 17th September 2011

DUNSBOROUGH WEEKEND

I was the last to hit the hay last night, I was the first to get up this morning and start breakfast. Woo!

Mushrooms & Tomato


Bacon


Eggs


Hashbrowns


and a mountain of Toast


After breakfast, we headed out to a few wineries for some wine tasting.


Goats! No, these weren't for lunch.


We stopped at the Bootleg Brewery for lunch.


Hot Chips!


We stopped by at Saracen and Duckstein.


We drove to Busselton but it was too overcast and gusty to walk out on the jetty.


So, we sheltered in the Equinox cafe for a coffee instead!


Back at our holiday home, I used up the left over bacon and eggs from breakfast to make an afternoon snack. Bacon and egg sandwiches. Yum!!

On the way back to the house, we picked up some groceries for a big feast for dinner. We were lucky enough to be able to find some fresh crabs and mussels. Benoit wanted to try making Singapore Chilli Crab and I had brought all the ingredients from Perth.

Long cleaned and prepared the crabs.


Benoit started on his sauce while I cooked 2kg of Chilli Mussels. There weren't lids for the larger pots so I had to make do with an upturned pan.

For sides:

Salad


Seasoned Wedges


Microwaved Man Tao
We also had Garlic Bread for mopping up all the sauces.


Chilli Mussels


Benoit's Singapore Chilli Crab!


Yummo!


Happy birthday Ivy!


When everyone had gone to bed, I stayed up to snack on all the leftover mussels! Earlier in the night I had tried roasting a marshmallow but it had gone up in flames and I lost it to the fire. Just before bed, I tried again and success! Mmm, gooey.

Friday 16th September 2011

We are driving down to Dunsborough for the weekend to celebrate Ivy's birthday.

On the way, we stopped in Mandurah for dinner.

Everyone got Hungry Jacks.


While Long and I opted for KFC from next door.

Which we ate in Hungry Jacks hee hee.

Wednesday 14th September 2011

I picked up Jesters for lunch today. I thought instead of having my usual 'Spud Deluxe' pie, that I would try a different one. The sound of the 'Very Peri' chicken pie was appealing.

I was so disappointed with the pie. It was like eating a pie filled with gluggy sauce. There was one large chunk of chicken in there that tasted dry. Very disappointing. I think every time I choose a pie other than the 'Spud Deluxe', I get a dud.

The lesson?

Order a 'Spud Deluxe' next time.

Supper on the way home from work KFC!

Tuesday 13th September 2011

Dinner
Lamb Shank Stew with Cheesy Polenta

Monday 12th September 2011

Rucha made me this delicious Okra Curry with Dhal.

It was soooooo good!

Sunday 11th September 2011

SAZZY'S SPRING SUNDAY

I invited my neighbours and some friends over today for lunch. We kicked off at 11am and by the time most of us arrived with a plate of food to share, we had a full spread on the table for lunch.

As usual with a pot luck style event, I wasn't sure what other people would bring so I opted to provide some healthy options!

Fruit Salad


Salad


Lentil & Bean Salad

This was an experiment that turned out really well! I had some leftover lentils from last night and decided to add some gourmet baked beans to it, as well as some finely diced red onion and a garnish of coriander. Awesome!

The guests showed up with a plethora of goodies!

Cheese!!


Antipasto


I made sandwiches


I bought these Chicken Chippies from IGA.


Curry


Chocolate Cupcakes!

I also organised for a wine rep from Pieroth Wines to come out and provide us with a wine tasting.

I had such a wonderful day full of delicious food, wonderful friends and new neighbours, gorgeous wines from all over the world, I did not want it to end!

Saturday 10th September 2011

Upon arrival at work this morning, I was greeted some hotcakes from Maccas! I think it's been well over fifteen years since I last had their hotcakes. I much rather prefer to get hashbrowns for breakfast but I won't say no to a nice, hot breakfast.

I added the whipped butter and syrup and it was soooo good!


I went to IGA after work with the intent of finding a steak for dinner. Instead, I found a nicely french trimmed lamb shank and decided to make stew.

Look how clean the bone is!


I coated the shank in plain flour and sealed it in the pot with olive oil.


Garlic, onion, butter, potatoes, carrots, leek, rosemary and thyme.
I added some red wine, crushed tomatoes and brought it to the boil.


After two hours in the oven.


The meat on the shank shrank to one side! But oh so so tender!


I have always wanted to cook lentils and today I did. I googled how to prepare them, thinking that I would have to soak them before cooking. But no, simply rinse with cold water and then I cooked them with a bit of hot water until they were cooked. I like my lentil a little firm and not completely soggy.


The lentils went nicely with the lamb shank stew.