Friday sunshine

Nat here.  So it turns out I was right re Princess Mary - named # 2 in Australia's Top 50 Most Stylish Women this morning. Quentin Bryce took out the title - deservedly so. 

Big weekend coming up, seeing Shaanie tonight woohoo and then we're together again at SB & SB's wedding on Saturday.  SB squared are another Cayman couple and the wedding is destined to be fab.

Husband and I treated ourselves last night to Freestyle Dessert's - we couldn't remember the last time we went...it must have been a while because the prices have literally doubled.  Good, but not sure it's that good..

I hear Gem is snuggling up by a fire in Vermont....jealous much! I'm picturing this..

Picture from Brabourne Farm

There are more lovely fireplaces here

TGIF!! Happy Weekend!

Royal "watcher"

Nat here.  Is anyone else a wee bit obsessed with Mary?  Do you call her "our Mary", I do, there you go - confession complete.

Don't you think she is stunning?

And super stylish?

Me too.  I'm guessing that someone must help her with those blowdry's?

If you, like me, love seeing Mary and her latest styles have a look here as some fantastic person has daily updates on the Royals all over the world....I always think Mary outshines them all, even Kate!

I wasn't full after all...!

Nat here.  We celebrated M's birthday at Brett's Wharf on Sunday night.  It was delish - snapper with buerre blanc sauce (although we did comment that M's homemade was definitely better!).

And the boys romantically shared the pork belly for 2:

They also made M feel great by guessing her "real" age...

Husband and I are back at Brett's Wharf this Sunday night for plates for mates, really looking forward to helping such a worthy cause. 

In other news...I hope you have all entered Katrina's brilliant competition here.  I can't wait to win a fully catered dinner party by the KC team!!

P.S Shaanie is in BrisVegas - wooohoooo!!! Can't wait to hug her till it hurts. 

Breakfast Sunshine

Nat here.  Together with husband's parents and his Aunty J visiting from Melbourne we soaked up the Brisbane sunshine this morning with brunch on our deck. Our menu consisted of croissants with jam and cream, mushrooms with sausage, bacon and tomato filling, scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes with persian fetta and thyme, shakshuka and brioche french toast with vanilla ricotta and strawberries.  It was hard to fit everything on the table!

I had never made french toast before so was quite surprised at the ease with which it can be prepared.  The hardest part was finding brioche in Brisvegas! French Twist at the James St market if anyone was wondering..

SUNSHINE!

I found a recipe here that has been adapted for those who can't find brioche.  The other dish which was quite easy and very tasty was Shakshuka which is just ideal for a brunch.  I found it in Julie Goodwin's recipe book and there is a video online here.  I don't think I need to eat again until tomorrow - Happy Sunday!

Delish Fish

Gem here. I just love our gorgeous little local fish market. It is a very simple establishment- a couple of tents right on the beach, good sturdy wooden benches and fish!

Fisherman sell their daily catch and will scale, gut and fillet/prepare your choice freshly on the spot. Depending on their luck the night before you will find pink snapper, yellow tail snapper, grouper, barracuda, wahoo and porgy just to name a few.

It is always an experience when you go as it is right in the hustle and bustle of town and is a bit of a hangout for a group of locals, maybe retired fishermen themselves, who love swapping yarns and passing time with their buddies. The fishmongers often have a refreshing Jamaican ale handy (it is thirsty work!) and for some reason always call husband 'Mr President' when he joins me? You might come away splattered in scales but always with a beautiful fish in your bag straight from the ocean in front of you.

Today I decided to try something new and chose a porgy fish (similar to a bream I believe) to bake whole. It was the usual warm reception at the fish market (although it would be nice to be called the first lady!). I made an Asian inspired dish baking the porgy with sesame seeds and serving it with a sticky tamarind sauce topped with fried basil, shallots and garlic chips. Delish!

 

Find recipe @ http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/6633/baked+fish+with+sticky+sauce

Indian Sunshine!

Nat here.  I squealed with delight tonight after venturing back to my favourite Indian restaurant knowing it was still there!  Kuma started his Indian restaurant (Cafe Kuma) at Coopers Plains on Brisbane's South probably 10 years ago, he now owns the Indian restaurant, pizza shop and Thai restaurant all in the one complex. Not only is he still there, he has expanded...and four years later he still remembers my order!

It is very welcoming at Kuma's, he loves a neon light

There are no menu's at Cafe Kuma, he asks you what you like, how hot and suddenly you have four delicious dishes with rice and naan for the somewhat ridiculous price of $36 - in total!  

It is dead-set delicious Indian.  It takes me back to the Mango Tree in Hampi where I enjoyed the most delicious Thali with my cousin B, whom I have affectionately called "Nerd" since as long as I can remember.  Nerdy, Nerdette, Nerd burger, there have been variations over the years.  Here she is at Mango Tree in Hampi...

Although, to get to Mango Tree we had to travel by train from Bombay for 7 hours - I don't know where I found the strength!

Perhaps from the fresh samosa's....yes, before you ask...I did eat these and trust me, they were awesome!

At least, after 7 hours on a train I saw some beautiful sunsets:

And some amazing ruins:

That was a trip I won't forget!  Don't forget to try Kuma if you appreciate a good curry.  If you don't believe me there are some reviews here.  Now do you believe me?  

Pininterest Sunshine

Nat here.  Is anyone else finding themselves obssessed with pininterest?  I haven't really got my head around it yet - except for the fact that every time I have a look I find a million things I love.  Today I found this  - no bake nutella cheesecake!

Sunshine!!

The recipe for which can be found here.  But even more importantly, have a look at pininterest here.  All you do is click on a picture and it will take you to the blog.  Don't say I didn't warn you!

80s brought the sunshine

Nat here. Well the 80s guinea party was a hit!  Everyone dressed up which was super fun, we had Pat Cash, Karate Kid, Madonna, white suits, mullets, side ponies, fingerless gloves, leg warmers, pleats, power suits and everything in between - we had the 80s sufficiently covered in clothes alone! Here's a run down on the night.

First for the table settings:

Baby's breath played a big part, as did mustard yellow everything, carnations and butter in triangles.  The menu was also in theme:

We started with blue lagoons made by husband:

He rocked a Gordon Gekko outfit.  Next came the starters - rockmelon and proscuttio (thanks Gem!), kebana and cheese, cocktail onions - all served on oranges of course:

And there wasn't an 80s dinner party without Jatz:

Next was the entree which I didn't get a snap of but was a prawn cocktail with brandy sauce which was quite delicious.  Main was baked chicken maryland with an avocado salad and tomato sauce (iceberg lettuce played a large part in the evening):

Dessert was marshmallow pavlova slice which looked like the photo in the book!  The piping was easy with the use of an icing syringe - highly recommend you all purchase one of those!

Then came the best part - dancing to the 80s classics:

Bring on the next guinea!

Coffee Sunshine

Nat here.  I made coffee for the girly wirts at work today (ok I had a little bit of help from the lovely R) Hope you enjoyed J&J! 

I threw the Queensland Country Life in for good measure...we don't really have time for coffee's and the paper! 

Home-made Pizza

Shaanie here.  As you can probably guess, of the three of us I am the one that was born sans the cooking gene.  It's not that I can't cook mind you, it's more of a case where I don't find the enjoyment in it that others do.  The thought of going home after a day in the office to cook a meal fills me with dread (unless we are having tacos, I LOVE tacos!)  My hubby and I are the ones to bring the cheese and wine to any event.  We are hoping that a lovely cheese platter and some delish red wine to match will divert our hosts thoughts from the fact that we have never returned the favour and had them back to our place for dinner.

So this brought me to one of those uncomfortable situations where I did have to return the favour.  I was filled with dread (and I mean FILLED).   After a child-like whining session to Gem in Cayman a number of years ago she came up with a brilliant plan that as she puts it 'even I can do'.

...and in came Donna Hay Pizza recipes.  Making your own pizza dough sounds like a traumatic experience but I have to say it is sooooo easy and it makes you look like you can actually cook!  Apart from the fact that I manage to get flour from one end of the kitchen to the other, the pizza making experience is wonderfully stress free.

Fast forward to a few years later and a new country (Singapore) and I have had the arduous task of trying to make new friends.  After finally securing some that seem to not mind my rather sketchy personality (not to mention sense of humour) I thought I would take it on myself to have a couple of girls over and make pizzas.

SUCCESS!!! The new GFs were suitably impressed and I even took on the honourable task of assuring one of my cohorts in lack of chef skills that yes, even she could do it.  (And she did make them a few days later for her hubby on Valentines day).

Donna Hay has the basic pizza dough recipe and some topping options on her website.  Simply type "pizza" into the search area and voila!  www.donnahay.com.au

My favourite toppings are:

• Prosciutto, Cherry Tomato and Bocconcini (see piccies below)
• Rosemary Potatoes and Caramelised Onion (I actually made my own caramelised onions!)
• Pumpkin and Pancetta

Here is some photographic evidence of my Prosciutto and Bocconcini efforts:

Pre-oven

Ready to Eat - Sunshine!

Red Wine - aka the Rolling Pin!

Sunshine weekend

Nat here.  We started shopping for THE 80's dinner party next Saturday, I'm sure you can tell the era from the conveyor belt at Coles?

It was SB's hens on Saturday, what a blast!  It was a little sad that all the Cayman girls weren't there but trust me gals, I drank your quota of champas and then some!  I don't usually put faces on our blog but you have to see her face to get the true picture!  The straw had been handed down by one of the bridesmaids.  It's not a hens without one is it?

We babysat little R on Sunday, what a delight!  Such a smiley little cutie pie, he was just perfect.  I missed him as soon as I handed him back to his Mum and Aunty M.  Thanks for letting us look after your little sunshine B&P!

Husband with baby R - those phones are still the best toys eva!

Sunshine!!!

We finished off our weekend with P&J last night at the movies - Questions for Ben was awesome, highly recommend!  I am still tasting the garlic from the lebanese at Rouj (Rosalee) afterwards, another highly recommend, the mixed platter is delish!

Herbivore

Gem here. Husband and I have always lived in an apartment so I am used to having no backyard but that doesn't mean I do without. I love having pots of my favourite herbs at close hand however when we moved to our Cayman condo on the ocean I was positive that the salt air would spell disaster. It took me a while to give it a go but after paying exorbitant prices for a few sprigs of imported, wilted excuses of herbs and not always being able to get what I needed, I decided it was time to don the gardening gloves. To my great surprise my herbies have never looked back and just love island life...

 My friends know I am addicted to mint- gin and tonics, smoothies, juices, water, you name it, I put mint in every beverage that passes my lips. Husband on the other hand is a massive fan of pesto so whenever my little basil bush has a growth spurt, I whip up a batch and know that someone will be happy. It is so easy, tastes incomparably amazing versus the store bought jar variety and its uses are endless.



In a food processor pulse 3 garlic cloves and 2 bunches of basil. Add handful of toasted (cooled) pine nuts, zest of one lemon and juice of 1-2 lemons, salt and pepper and a decent slosh of good quality olive oil and pulse. Add more olive oil until you are happy with consistency. Add 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and pulse momentarily. Taste- add more S&P or lemon if need be. Spoon into airtight jar and pour thin film of olive oil over pesto to help preserve and do this after every use (if it lasts that long!).

This is my version- play around with the ingredients if you like it nuttier or cheesier etc. Due to my mint fetish I often substitute 1/4 of the basil with mint and it is delish and vibrant.

Plus there are so many wonderful combinations of herbs and nuts that make unique and tasty pestos.

Happy pulsing!

Bowl of Sunshine

Sunshine can be cheap!

Nat here.  We've just returned from "Wacky Wednesday" at the Windsor Bowls Club with a group of girlfriends and their manfriends.  For the genuine 1979 price of $6 we all enjoyed an open steak sandwich with chips - talk about cheap sunshine!

We also rediscovered over dinner that K has a onesie.  I think we should buy K's husband a matching set so they can look like this:

ha ha love it!

Sunshine in the Rain

Nat here.  My lovely friend A lives north of Gympie and with all this rain and flooding up north is stuck at home without power or water on their property.  Luckily they are high and dry together with their herd of cattle (and horse and two dogs!).  You would think this would cause concern or worry but no and I quote "can't go anywhere but I have a full pantry and a beautiful boy and husband and we've been having a lovely day!". Well that's finding the sunshine!  Here is the little Superman, isn't he divine?! 

I think I would like to be stuck at home with him as well - keep your little family safe A xo

Subscription sunshine

Nat here.  Has anyone else been a little disappointed with their Donna Hay subscription lately?  More ads and less styling, more ads and less recipes?!  I think I've solved the problem by adding another one into the mix.  Husband bought me a subscription to the NZ Cuisine magazine as he saw how much I enjoyed reading it on our honeymoon in Hawke's Bay.  My first issue was the anniversary special...winner!

Eat, drink and repeat

Nat here.  Who else is super dooper excited it's Friday? Me, me, me!

I caught up with P, S and M at Il Posto on Tuesday night, it was lovely to see them.  I'm really enjoying semifreddo at the moment...

Wednesday was a lovely morning tea at work - who doesn't lurve a good morning tea? I made my famous chicken sandwiches, one day I might part with the recipe...



Baby E-G came along to visit us at work, she's 100/100 delightful, the little love gets passed around between about 20 of us girls and just smiles away!  E had a matching outfit with her Mum K, it was super cute.

Wednesday night we had dinner with M&M - M1 made THE yummiest snapper eva with buerre blanc sauce - de-licious.  M1 also showed me how to make rolled pav, so simple, yet so tasty.  I believe (correct me if I'm wrong M1)...it is 4 egg whites beaten until glossy, then slowly add in 3/4 cup sugar.  Thin it out onto greaseproof paper in a lamington pan and cook for 30 minutes.  Once cooked apply cream and sugar and roll up the pavlova by pulling away the greasproof paper as you roll it.  Easy!

Thursday night was dinner at Peasant.  Husband was devastated - Churros weren't on the menu, he was saving himself for them specially, don't you hate that?  It was lovely to catch up with G and T...hey guys, you are G and T - exactly what I'll be enjoying this afternoon!

Happy Friday!