Jun 10 2013

Cook With Jamie: Baked Lamb Shanks

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Apple

I’ve decided I don’t really know much about cooking. I read a lot about food and I “know” some stuff but do I REALLY know stuff?

I’ve worked in hospitality, in restaurants and cafes. So I have experience there.

And I have a passion. A passion to learn and create and experience food as all it can be.

But if you asked me what the perfect temperature is to cook an egg at for it to be perfectly soft boiled, I’d tell you that I don’t know and there are a lot of variables to take into account and a lot of different opinions on how to get the perfect soft boiled egg. Also I don’t really eat eggs that often. I could tell you a couple of opinions which I’ve read which then you can trial yourself and see what works best for you though.

And if you asked me a question regarding the best way to cook a steak, or the best potatoes to roast I would give the most accurate answer I know. But that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m correct. Doesn’t really mean I’m wrong either.

I guess what I’m trying to say is I have opinions and experiences with food and although I think that this way or that way might make the PERFECT such and such, I also believe that there is more then one way to make something perfect.

To the point though! These lamb shanks are perfect. Once again I’m blown away by a Jamie Oliver recipe. This one was really easy so any Tom, Dick or Harry could whip it up.

More importantly, it’s easy to tell when it’s done. When the meat is falling off – devour it!

You can find this recipe from Jamie Oliver’s Cook with Jamie book, or on his website here

I love any recipe that you can chuck in the oven and forget about until the timer goes off. Looking at the sky today, it seems like a very good day for lamb shanks! Mmmmm…warm….falling off the bone and melt in your mouth lamb shanks!

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Jun 2 2013

Game of Thrones Feast

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Apple

So this is a bit late, but I’ve been quite busy this year (more on that later!) and what better time to post this then the day before the BIG episode everyone is waiting for!

It just so happened that the start of season 3 of Game of Thrones started on Easter Monday. Perfect time to use the Game of Thrones Cookbook that I was given for Christmas.

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Jan 20 2013

Endeavour Beer

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Apple

So it’s a new year, lots of things I want to get done and goals to reach. Not because it’s a new year, I’ve had these goals for a while of course but its the cool thing to do to reiterate them at this time.

The usual one is focus more on my blog. But while fitting in work, study and other hobbies I’m not sure on the expiry dates of these goals.

So to start of the new year, my first post will feature Endeavour Beer. Just before the Christmas Break the lovely people at The Trish Nicol Agency sent me a couple of Endeavour Beers to try.

Now I’m definitely more of a wine person, or a cocktail person, or schnapps. But that’s mainly because I haven’t come across a beer that doesn’t just taste like liquid yeast in a bottle to me.

Que Endeavour Beer – 2011 Reserve Amber Ale:

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Dec 31 2012

Cook With Jamie: Best Shortbread in the World

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Apple

Up until early 2012 I had never had shortbread before. Honest truth.

When all the other kids were sampling their grandmother’s homemade shortbread, you know the type – in the family for years and the recipe is a secret which will be handed down the generations. Well while this was happening in other households I was most likely eating some sort of junk food, nothing memorable.

24 years down the track and I’ve not only tried my first ever shortbread but I’ve cooked it too. So you’re probably thinking something along the lines of, ‘well she’s only had the one shortbread so how can she possibly know if its the best or not’

Good call. I like to share though and my Axey and his family enjoyed every last piece. I personally think its a beautiful recipe and so easy to make that I recommend everyone to chuck out the horrible store bought stuff you have leftover from Christmas and whip this batch up. You won’t regret it!

*As with all other posts relating to the Cook With Jamie cookbook, I have not posted the recipe. I fully support great recipes and wish to encourage people to buy the book.

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Nov 24 2012

Sydney Food Blogger Xmas Picnic 2012

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Apple

Its the most…wonderful time; of the year!!

Ah Christmas, what better way to start the season than a massive get together of food bloggers.

This was only my second Syd Food Blogger event but it was nice to see some familiar faces, and meet lots of new ones! I think the count was around 100 people!

I really only took photos at the start. I got a little caught up in all the food and mingling, but don’t fret. I know there will be plenty of other posts to check out.

Now I’m not sure who created this, but it looks amazing. I’ve always wanted to try the printing in the sponge but have been to worried how it would turn out.

But its so cute! and festive!

These. Look. Delicious. I didn’t get a chance to try them, they disappeared rather quickly!

This! This is so awesome! and thoughtful! The lovely Sara & Josh from Belly Rumbles. The little packets were filled with shortbread, which I may have already enjoyed and shared with my other half. Yummo!

Cookie dough. Cookie dough and anything is a winning but this, THIS! Was like a dream come true. Plus having it with a piece of apple made you ‘feel’ like it wasn’t as bad for you, Bonus!

Must get this recipe from the gorgeous Christine from Cooking Crusade.

Red Velvet cake sandwiches. They looked so rich and moist. Didn’t get around to eatting this one, wish I had!

Beautiful Jasmine Tea Creme Brulee Tarts from Excuse Me Waiter. The pastry on this was perfect, and the filling was so smooth and not too sweet.

Simon from Simon Food Favourites brought along an epic pop up bar (I can’t stand the every day use of the word ‘epic’, but it totally applies here!) consisting of three awesome cocktails.

I’d never tried Gin before so its a bit of a biased opinion, but the Hendrick’s Gin and Tonic was delicious! With a slice of cucumber it was the perfect thing for such a hot day.

The Spread.

Ok so, we’ve got some cute little sandwiches down the bottom left. Turkey and cranberry was really nice and great in between the sweet food.

Umm, over the right middle. You can’t see very well but there’s some home made milky chewy lolly things. Tasted like sweetened condensed milk and coconut. Awesome!

Ooo in the middle, in the small chinese takeaway containers is Thai Beef Salad. Made by Food is our Religion. I had this first and it was really nice and refreshing!

Oh and the bottle over the right, is Lychee Iced Tea by Simon from The Heart of Food. This was so refreshing, definitely making this and taking it to work!

What else did I get a chance to try….oooo on the red plate over the right side, Eggs with avocado and bacon. Best. Combination. Ever. I’m not sure who made this but I want the recipe!

SO MASSIVELY CUTE! These were by Gucci & Gyoza, the imagination here is so inspiring!

Rice paper rolls. I think they disappeared in the time it just took me to type rice paper rolls. They looked so yummy!

I believe this was a dark and white chocolate cake, could have been mud cake? It looks too pretty to cut!

And the wonderful Chocolatesuze! Doing her quick thank you for coming-look at all the food-dig in before everyone grabbed their cameras and snap snap snapped away!

Ugh such a good day, so much food. And the Kris Kringle – which was a great and evil thing to be a part of. So many stealing gifts back and forth!

Wonderful start to the Christmas season, thank you Helen from Grab you Fork and Suze from Chocolatesuze for organising such a great time.

Thank you to everyone for their glorious, glorious food! Look forward to the next event!

Oh, and the gingerbread men were mine! You can find the recipe I used here at Exclusively Foods. Note though, I added like…double the amount of spices!