Frills in the Hills

Sunday baking project - Choc banana brownies!

2012-01-22T01:52:40-08:00

Ohhhhmygod.
Oooooooooohmygod!

So good! After what seems like an eternity I have finally be reunited with my holy trinity: My KitchenAid, my oven and baking!!! Last week in anticipation for the frills' arrival from Manila (I came home a week ahead of them for work) I bought bananas. I couldn't help myself given then are so affordable here now! But alas, I think they overdosed on bananas in Manila and weren't much into eating them... so what to do with bananas that are on the turn?

I love banana bread, and banana cake and even the odd bit of banana tapioca pudding and the kids' favourite lunchbox legends banana date slice and banana bran muffins but hubby loves his brownies so I thought I'd make some moist brownies with bananas. A bit reminiscent of Ben and Jerry's chunky monkey icecream really.

Simple to put together, they smell absolutely divine baking and so yummy to eat! These are my new favourite brownies!

Ingredients:
185gr butter, soft or partially melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup caster sugar
3 large ripe bananas, peeled and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups worth)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate soda
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Method:
Preheat oven to 160 degrees c

Combine butter and sugars together until smooth and cream-like

Add banana and vanilla and mix until smooth

Add cocoa, flour, bicarb soda, walnuts (optional) and choc chips, mix well.

Couldn't you just eat a spoonful of this??

Spread into a tin lined with baking paper and sprayed with canola oil.

Bake for 50 minutes to an hour, then leave to cool for a further hour before cutting into squares.

Look at the ooozy chocolate, I've got to tell you it smells SO good!

Try not to eat it all .. at once.

My hubby got this as his birthday cake.. he loves his chocolate!

Do you find yourself with bananas to use? Give this a try!

The answer to lots of tomatoes - DIY quickie sundried tomatoes!

2012-01-19T13:54:45-08:00

Tomatoes are my favourite fruit - I can say that hand on heart. If anyone told me I had to cut out tomatoes from my diet permanently I think I would probably die of a broken heart. As a child I used to take whole tomatoes to school instead of apples, yes, my love affair with tomatoes started early.

And anyone who has a vege garden this time of year usually has a glut of tomatoes. Or those of you who go to farmers markets or just love a bargain at the supermarket may find themselves buying some extra ones. I have lots of recipes for tomatoes if you have an oversupply - my vege garden is going to be getting a lot of attention this weekend, a wee bit overgrown since we've been away..!!

If you have this problem or just love tomatoes, you can also try these recipes:

Sweet green tomato chutney (seriously amazing, my favourite on cold meats)

Melissa's Passata (Italian base sauce)

Now this one is EASY PEASY. If you have tomatoes, and you have an oven you can make this in a day or two.. I just fitted this in around my other cooking/baking and did it in two but you could perceivably do this over a day and night.

What you need is:
A baking tray
Baking paper
Tomatoes!
Light Olive oil
Peppercorns
Any herbs or garlic you like..

Method:
Layout your tomatoes on baking tray on baking paper. If you've got larger tomatoes slice them into 1 inch thickness, no need to cut cherry tomatoes.

Place in the oven at 75 degrees c. Check on them every 3-4 hours. After about 12 hours you will need to turn them over and if you have cherry tomatoes squash them down a bit or 'pop' them to assist in them drying out.

Once they are crispy-ish - put into a sterilised jar (I just boil mine in water for 5 minutes with the lid) and then place your tomatoes, peeled garlic, peppercorns (I put in about 15 or so) and fresh stalks of herbs if you like (rosemary and oregano are nice ones to add)..

Fill with oil so everything is moist (about 2/3 full)

Store in the fridge, give it a shake every couple of days. Good to eat after a week or so.. if you can wait that long!

Are you a tomato lover too? What's your favourite way with tomatoes!!

The Frills Family do Hong Kong Disneyland!

2012-01-11T22:03:02-08:00

I remember Sunday nights, 5:30. Wonderful World of Disney was my favourite. I dreamed about going to DisneyLand. Going on those rides, Meeting Mickey and Minnie.

That dream came true last weekend when Hubby and I decided quite last minute to take the kids to Hong Kong for the weekend. That sounds really extravagant doesn't it? But truth be told we were only two hours away anyways in Manila and I had to travel back to Sydney for work ahead of time via Hong Kong as there were no direct flights available from Manila to Sydney.

Unfortunately I didn't really think of some important things - namely:

Before you get the travel agent to book your business flights, make sure your family can get on the same flight.
Remember more than 12 hours ahead you're travelling into winter, especially if you've only got summer clothes and shoes with you.

So, after not being able to get hubby and the kids on my flight (I had to be flown business class) I put them on a discounted airline. The plus to that was they were leaving an hour ahead of me so they could get sorted into the hotel ahead of me. Wrong. Their flight was delayed 1.5 hours and in fact I arrived ahead of them. Hubby's first words to me after getting off his flight was - 'soooo. How was business class?'. I thought it best not to tell him that the Cathay Skybeds are brilliant and the fabulous service I had.

The morning of the flight I had to do the mercy dash to the department store across the road from my office and find some jeans and long sleeve shirts for the frills - luckily I had bought some winter party shoes on sale - and jeans I was able to find but long sleeve shirts were non-existent. Hubby picked some up at another store - and apologised in advance by text before I saw them 'beggars can not be choosers'. ahem.

So we arrived late into Hong Kong and made our way to our apartment. We didn't know they would be one to a floor and although superb, Hubby and I had to separate to spread ourselves between the rooms. Super romantic!

So after the debacle of actually getting there, the dream began... off in the taxi from Hong Kong Island to Disneyland - about a 30 minute drive... very exciting seeing these signs!

And even more exciting getting to the entrance! I think at this point Hubby was more excited than the kids!

And when this greets you as are walking in.. you know you're at the right place!

Yay, we have tickets! They worked out about $40 each which I think is an absolute bargain right? Buy them online here

As you get into the park you can take a tour on the train that circumnavigates the park, you get a good idea of what you're in for!

But we headed straight up Main Street USA, we needed jumpers - as it was 12 degrees! Very fabulously greeted by a marching band!

There are many shops, they mostly sell the same thing... it's fun trying on all the bits and pieces..

Hubby as Lotsa:

Perfect for cold ears right?

So after we were all warm we decided morning tea was in order - cue Mickey waffles:

Delicious and about $5 with cream, maple syrup and strawberries!

Then we headed off to tomorrowland - all things fantasy and space.. note, ensure people taking pics of you and your family realise you have three kids, not just one.. lol

The flying saucer ride, good for kids 4 and up..

Then we headed to space mountain, which I thought was maybe a 3d movie thing about being in space.. it wasn't until we'd lined up for five minutes, I spotted this screen and realise that's not what we were lining up for at all...

and I don't do rollercoasters. But the kids were excited and I couldn't leave them.. I was a wreck before I got on.. It was terrifying, I had my eyes closed for most of it, hubby was loving it.

When it stopped all three girls were crying and saying how scared they were. Clearly they are their mother's daughters. I felt dreadful to put my babies through that. Then we went and saw the pic... we laughed through the tears and put it behind us. I think I'll have company whenever hubby decides to go on another rollercoaser (he loves them)

Horrid!

We made our way to Fantasyland - the land where dreams come true!

We arrived to see Mickey helping Minnie into the Dumbo ride - sweet!

My frills went bananas!!

Daddy braved it on the merry-go-round - lines on the rides were mostly great, a few had long lines, we just gave them a miss!

Then on to the banquet hall...

For Mickey Jelly (as you do!) $2.50 each

Meatballs with Mickey watermelon! With a drink $9

Three little pigs pork buns! ($6)

After lunch we got to meet the idols! My girl Eloise is so happy!

I bet Hubby didn't think he'd ever meet Mickey Mouse when he was a kid - let along high-five him!

Clearly they connected...

Family pic!

This is just a fraction of our time here, but you might overdose on the photos!!

In summary

I would totally recommend a visit - I think it's reasonable in cost - and it's good for kids between 3 and 10 - I think if you wanted to take older kids I would go to Ocean Park in Hong Kong instead.
It only takes a day to see everything - no need for a two day pass
Stay at the resort if you can - we didn't but it would have been better - you get discounts on merchandise and can have anything you buy delivered to your hotel free of charge if you do.
Merchandise is pretty reasonably priced - sweatshirts were $35 each and most souvenirs are under $15 each.
Get it a good spot to see the street parade - 3pm daily - it's a must see.
In hindsight we should have started at lunchtime, and stayed for the fireworks at 8pm - but we were buggered after starting at 9am, left at 5pm instead.
Winter-time is apparently great time to visit (Nov-Feb) as the lines are shorter.. good to know!

Simplest choc caramel and pecan slice in the world - done in less than an hour!

2012-01-11T02:47:00-08:00

Those Filipinos love their chocolate. They love anything sweet and the more sugar and syrup, the better. I made this quickie slice one day to take into my team because a) they deserve it! b) I knew they'd love it and c) I saw graham crackers and I couldn't resist (We don't get those in Australia easily!).

Of course if you can't get graham crackers, use whatever biscuit you like - if you there's never enough chocolate you could use choc ripple cookies or try some good ol' milk arrowroot biscuits with a teaspoon of allspice and a tablespoon of honey mixed in with the melted butter.

You literally chuck this together, it does not take more than 10 minutes to get it in the oven!! They are rich, you don't need much and they are perfect to share! This slice makes at least 24 squares or rectangles, depending how big you like to cut ~~eat~~ them.

Ingredients

250g biscuits of choice

100g butter, melted

1.5 cups pecans

1.5 cups chocolate chips/buttons

1 tin condensed milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 190 degrees c

Line a tin with baking paper or foil, grease well.

Process your biscuts in a food processor or place in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin until like breadcrumbs.

Mix through butter until moist like sand. Depending on your biscuits you may need more/less butter.

Press into the bottom of your tin.

Sprinkle over pecans evenly, then choc chips. Lastly pour over condensed milk, ensure it's as even as possible.

Place in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until the condensed milk becomes caramel-like

Leave to cool for about 20 minutes, then turn out, and slice.

Store in airtight container for up to a week in refrigerator. You, your family and friends won't believe how something so delicious is so simple!

Messages from Manila part four - touring with the family!

2012-01-01T17:19:01-08:00

Now this one is for all of you who may have thought about a holiday here with kids, or without!

Last week I finally travelled back with my family in tow, it's wonderful to be reunited and showing them where I've been living, doing our numerous skype calls, giving them an overseas experience and of course exposing them to different food and environments.

What we have found invaluable here is getting a hirecar with a driver. Cost about $85 for a 12 hour shift plus petrol and meal money of $7.50 a day. All up about $100 a day. No getting lost. No worrying about driving on the other side of the road... hubby can indulge in a few beers... :)

Today we took a drive down to see the smallest volcano in the world - the Taal Volcano near Tagaytay. Pretty breathtaking. It last erupted in 1965 and before that in 1911, guessing it's due again shortly??

We also have had some amazing food here. It's impossible to be on a diet here. I never finish a meal!

My drink (the yellow one) is a virgin pina colada - using the local pineapple, banana - so refreshing - the kids are drinking watermelon ice shakes - all cost $2.50 each at an upmarket restaurant!

We were hoping to get suckling pig but they had run out - so we got this pork knuckle - it's deep fried!! But it's a amazingly good - two pieces were enough for me!

All the way down and back we passed numerous pineapple and banana plantations. There are stalls scattered all along the road on the way in and out of Tagaytay... this is the one we bought our stash from:

The thing I love most about the Philippines is the people. The people rock!

Each branch of bananas - $2.50!

Pineapples.. 1.00 each - and these are HUGE and freshly harvested. Pineapples are SO delicious here, I just can't describe HOW good.

Our loot, we bought watermelon, bananas, pineapples and candied peanut disks (sooo good!) - bargain - gave more than half of it to our driver - he has four kids!

These candied peanut disks are gooood. *drool*

Quickie Cheesecake cups

2012-01-01T03:35:05-08:00

Hello everyone !

Oh it feels lovely to be blogging! Whilst I've been away I've been busy racking up the frequent flyer points, working ridiculous amounts of hours and some days feels like I'm running backwards. My trips home have been rushed and spent catching up on 'to-do-lists' and trying to see my Nan, my bestie and of course fit in a bit of frills and hubby time.

At present, I'm back in Manila after three weeks home (but working) but this time I have bought the family with me, and we've been catching the sights, and the shopping and of course the food!

On one of my fly by nighters trips home, I made these easy-peasy quickie cheesecake cups - I had my Nan over for lunch and managed to cater the whole thing including dessert in an hour! Pretty impressive I think! Mine are pretty plain and adapted from a recipe of Nigella Lawson, but there's nothing stopping you from pimping them up a bit and adding some melted chocolate or even some finely chopped chocolate bar of your choice... or just your favourite fruit.. the fun is in the details I say!

Ingredients
Base
12 Anzac biscuits crushed, or processed in the food processor
2 tb butter, melted
1 tsp golden syrup

Filling
150mls cream
2 tb caster sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
zest and juice of 1 lemon
150g cream cheese

Optional
Berries for top

Method:
Melt the butter, add the golden syrup. Mix through the crushed biscuits and press into the bottom of your cups or glasses with the back of a spoon. I stack my cups up on each other to push it down, and then store in the refrigerator whilst I get busy with the filling..

Whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks. Add sugar, vanilla, lemon juice and zest and cream cheese. Continue to whip until smooth.

Pour the cream cheese mixture over the biscuit bases.

Sprinkle with your berries and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving... if you can wait that long!

How good is that!!?

If I have time for these, so do you! How would you 'pimp' them?

Nutella and Oat Cookies

2011-11-02T13:08:00-07:00

Sometimes you just need chocolate. There's not chocolate in the house at all times, but sometimes you'll resort to eating the cooking chocolate, a spoonful of milo or a spoonful of nutella... right? Right?? (please play along with me... OK?)

This recipe I found on the interwebs and set out to the supermarket here in Manila to get it happening - the original recipe called for hazelnuts but I didn't realise until I got home, that in fact I had bought walnuts.. oops. but they still taste great!

What I like about this recipe is because I'm kitchen-aid-less (sob) these don't require a mixer and it's pretty simple to put together. Of course these aren't really lunchbox treats but are great for afternoon tea or weekend treats - I put most of mine in the freezer in a ziplock bag for when I get that chocolate hankering... as you do.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup canola or vegetable oil

1/2 cup nutella

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups plain flour

3 cups rolled oats

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp bicarb soda

1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Method:

Preheat oven to 190 degrees c

In one bowl mix the oil, nutella, eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.

In another bowl add the oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarb soda, walnuts (or hazelnuts) and choc-chips..

Pour the wet ingredients into dry. Mix well with a spoon.

Spoon onto greased baking trays

Bake for 12 minutes, leave to cool on trays then transfer to cooling rack to completely cool.

Don't they look yummy? They taste surprisingly not-so-bad for you - I think that's the oats..

Luxury Chicken Pot Pie

2011-10-31T13:00:03-07:00

After a few weeks in Manila I got a good grasp of what Filipinos like to eat by what they served in restaurants, what was available in food courts and what my workmates brought to work. Here it's about about the meat, the sugar and the butter. Everything here's quite Americanised with an Asian twist.

I asked people if they knew about the Pioneer Woman. To by utter shock they don't know her in my circles here! So I set about to correct this and ordered three copies of The Pioneer Woman Cooks through Amazon - One for the maid who loves to cook but lacks inspiration, a new friend I've met who loves the same food as me and a workmate who is Filipino/Australian and his new Australian Fiancé as an engagement present.

It may seem a little over the top, but I know that book is MADE for Filipino families. They love this kind of food. There is a fast-food outlet here that JUST sells cinnamon scrolls!

So last weekend I set about using the book with the maid and we made this chicken pot pie. I tweaked it a little by adding some corn (there's a distinct lack of vegetables here) and used butter in the pastry because I couldn't find any shortening.. but the results, spectacular! The maid (Khim) was overjoyed with the results, she had never made pastry before and it was a real thrill passing on some kitchen skills to someone who really really loves food.

Give this a try for your family, I guarantee you won't make it once!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups plain flour
160g cold butter
1 egg
cold water
2 brown onions, diced
2 carrots, finely diced
2 stalks of celery, finely diced
3/4 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen corn
2 rashers bacon, finely diced
2 cups shredded BBQ chicken
1/4 cup plain flour
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup cream
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tb ground black pepper

Method:
In a food processor process flour cold butter and egg until it resembles breadcrumbs, then add cold water little by little until the dough comes together:

Place in a ziplock bag or cover with clingfilm and refrigerate for one hour.

Meanwhile in a saucepan or pot heat some butter and ad onions, carrot, celery, corn and peas, heat and stir until the onion becomes translucent.

Add the bacon, stir well then add chicken and sprinkle the flour over the top, then stir well.

Add stock, wine and then the cream. Add thyme and pepper and simmer for about 10 minutes before completely turning off and allow for a little bit..

Place in your pie dish whilst you make your pastry..

Preheat oven to 200 degrees c

Take your pastry dough out of the fridge and place onto a floured surface. What I find easier if you at this time to shape your dough into roughly the same shape as your tin/casserole pot.

Roll out until about 4mm thick. Roll back onto your rolling pin..

And roll onto your pie filling..

Cut around the edges, add some decoration with the cast off pastry and then with a fork, prick the surface of your pie, this allows it to become lovely and crispy... no-one likes soggy pastry! Brush with some egg-wash (1 egg yolk mixed with a bit of milk)

Bake for 30-40 minutes until it's as brown as you like on top..

Dig in! You'll wish you made two!

Messages from Manila part three - weird and wonderful

2011-10-30T00:25:07-07:00

I have to say I'm getting a little used to my surroundings... I'm getting used to having a driver, a maid and the food. I'm used to the money and the TV stations and the ever present heat and humidity. I'm not used to missing my family and I'm not used to not cooking, I'm craving those two things in my life, given they were only a short time ago the entire focus of my life.

I was just sitting in the kitchen after having cooked most of the day (oh I feel normal!) thinking to myself I'm going to miss this on some level, the (limited) time to myself, the lovely way the maid does my laundry and folds my underwear into squares (I know, it's the small things... literally!) and I need to start focussing on what I can enjoy here rather than what I'm missing.

Now let me fill you in on some weird and wonderful things I've seen here in Manila... I actually love checking out the supermarkets when I travel overseas... I don't know if that makes me a bit weird... oh well.

Alcohol is SOOOO cheap. Example - Barcardi Apple 700ml is $13!

Umm I'm sure there's a market for this but I found it hilarious - this is for the bathroom - toilet roll holder, magazine rack - for about $60!...

Now, I'm finding it hard to find decent cheese here, most people eat this stuff - it's like blue-box kraft cheddar - I bought some for our friend Eden ... I'm sure she's really enjoying it...

And here, TGI Fridays is huge - actually fast food is unbelievably huge here but I seriously couldn't believe it when I saw you could buy their dishes in the frozen section of the supermarket!

OK enough of the supermarket, I've been to this restaurant a few times now, and as a non-wine drinker it seems a bit wasted on me although the food is lovely... but what I want to show you is how you can serve yourself wine! If you like to taste or try a few, you grab a card that is attached to your bill and you pour yourself what you like.

Depending on whether it's white or red, the fridge is chilled to the correct temperature.. the prices are quite reasonable too, from about $3.50 to $8 a glass..

Now who wants one of these in your house!!?

Planning... my 40th birthday party..

2011-10-27T18:51:00-07:00

Well ours actually....

Just before I left, we went out to dinner at a new local Indian restaurant. It's a bit tucked away and I must admit I wasn't expecting much (you know, local restaurants do have a rep for being not-so-great)... but we were blown away by the venue and the food and before leaving we'd booked the function room for hubby and my 40th birthday bash...

It has an outdoor (undercover) bar, gorgeous inside seating and a dance floor! We are going ... bollywood style baby!

Hubby and my birthdays are 6 months apart and originally we had planned to have a joint 40th half-way between being around now... and well of course that doesn't work because I'm not even in the country! But it's booked for my return and invitations are out, and printed ones are out this week.... can't wait.

(In case you were wondering, yes, I am the 'cradle snatcher'... hehe)

I bought some beautiful sari fabric in Manila, and some matching earrings.. on the hunt for hubby now... we may go down the fancy dress route again given how fantastic Fancy That were with hubby's Pimp outfit for the school trivia night..

I'll be letting my hair down, that's for sure, it should (cross fingers everyone) co-incide with my home-coming!

What did you do for your 40th or last milestone birthday?

The potential of 'Us'

2011-10-26T19:18:38-07:00

Earlier this month I returned home for a few days - it was whirlwind to say the least but I visited the lovely Wolgan Valley Estate for a friend's wedding. It was small and intimate but done very beautifully and tastefully. The setting was picturesque and you could certainly feel the love in the room, for a couple who had many obstacles to overcome, and a long distance relationship to their path to happily ever after.

It got me thinking about life's journey (this is starting to sound like a sermon isn't it?...) . Only eight short years ago that was me and hubby were getting married, amongst a small and intimate crowd, picturesque setting, and hubby and I had overcome some geographical issues to finally come together.

I remember when he asked me to marry him, we were living in different States, but six long months later he packed up his life and we started making a life together under one roof. I still can remember the giddy excitement of knowing he was on his way to me and what the future held. Our wedding, marriage, children, the lot.

I cut back my work travel commitments, 'We' started to make decisions together and really now I find it hard to remember a time when I wasn't part of an 'us'. And I don't mean that in an 'identity-lost' kind of way.

'Us' started out with just 'Us-two'.
Now it is 'Us-five'.

This past weekend in Melbourne I wish I had said to hubby 'Thanks for having the foresight to see that 'We' could be so wonderful. (Well I just did on my blog, does that count?) We've had bad times and good times but we are still strong and really, if it had of been up to me I don't think I would have seen the 'us' in us. (I was a relationship gumby to say the least!!)

Truly, if I'm honest I don't think he could even see see how 'Us' could be this wonderful. Life brings joy sometimes that you can't even begin to imagine...

What about you? Has the 'Us' you've become turned out differently (better/worse) than you imagined?

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

2011-10-24T13:34:00-07:00

Oh I realise how much you have been having recipe withdrawals... because I'm having cooking withdrawals big time at the moment!

I have set myself a challenge this week. I am going find myself a new cookbook. I am going to cook something from this cookbook. I am going to share this with all of you. This won't happen until Sunday, when I have a day off, but it will happen!

So this recipe is one I whipped up before I left, and didn't have time to blog. I know a certain client of mine will be asking his lovely wife to make these the moment he knows that I have posted the recipe because, in his words 'Those biscuits were unbelievably GOOD'. 'Even though when I put it on a piece of paper and it became transparent, I didn't even care'...

Yes, I could be accused of 'buttering up the clients' - literally but these are a great recipe for a day where you don't have time but need a bit of cooking therapy. Easy and brilliant results - I adapted these from the LDS living website (no, I am not part of the LDS but they do have some great recipes). If you double the recipe like I did, they will fill up your cookie jar, put some in the freezer for later and some to take to 'butter up' the clients and colleagues too.

Ingredients:
125gr butter, softened
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg
1 tsp lemon zest
1 Tb fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups of self raising flour
1/2 cup caster sugar, extra

Method:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees c

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy

Add vanilla, egg, lemon zest and juice - then the flour, it should come together to a thick and soft dough.

Roll into balls about the size of a large walnut, then roll in sugar

Place on greased baking tray and flatten down a little and then bake for about 10 minutes until the edges just start to darken.

Cool on baking tray for about 5 minutes then transfer to cooling trays until completely cooled.

Store in airtight container for up to 5 days in the pantry or 2 months in the freezer (zip lock bags are great to put them in lots of 5 for later)

Enjoy!

The rollercoaster weekend... in Melbourne

2011-10-22T23:51:49-07:00

I know there's a very healthy rivalry with Sydney Melbourne, but honestly you are so charming. Sydney is my part of my heart and who I am but I always love to visit Melbourne, and this trip to Melbourne was the most wonderful time I've ever had.

And although it rained for the first two days, I forgive you Melbourne. Nothing could have dampened my days with my gorgeous family, who I met after flying in from Manila last Thursday night and attending the Problogger Conference on Friday (more on that later) I thought my heart was going to burst into a million pieces when I saw Hubby and my frills approach in a taxi to stay at the apartment I'd booked for us to have the weekend together before I had to fly back....

There were tears all round, they leapt out of the taxi and in my arms, frantic kissing and squeezing, I couldn't pull myself away. Working long days, 6 days a week for weeks on end it seems I was desperately needing my family. I'm a real sook. I haven't seen them for three weeks. 15 minutes of Skype a day with my kids just isn't enough for me, and it's not enough for them.

So that night we ignored bed-time and set out for a late night bite. We dropped the bags in and headed for a lovely dinner, nothing special but I remember sitting there staring at their faces and feeling so grateful.

Next day (yesterday - Saturday) we headed to the best place for breakfast - in fact we went back today. The service was amazing and my husband who is a very fussy coffee person said it's the best vanilla latte he's had in his life, they were great with the kids too... Cafe Andiamo if you are in town..

One of the eleventy-billion baby-cinos consumed on the weekend...

And red cups too!

Yesterday we hit the shops, because when it's raining in Melbourne what else is there to do? I bought 3 pairs of new shoes, I was the silly person who took only 1 pair of work sandals to Manila - these ones:

- and found these on sale for 25% off in Myer yesterday

Thank you Diana Ferrari for making such comfortable shoes.... I bought them in black, latte and blue the only colour I didn't buy was red.. which is my favourite colour, not sure why actually...

We literally shopped until we dropped:

Laura clearly has my genes, I tire of shopping pretty easily...

A perk-me-up was a carriage ride around Melbourne, I would totally recommend this - although $60 for 15 minutes or $100 for 30 minutes when you get 5 people in the carriage and you see Melbourne in style I think it's worth it.. the kids LOVED it!

The only downer to the weekend was going to a restaurant/bar which had the worst service I'd ever had. And to top that off the worst food. Not only could we not order half/half pizzas, we weren't allowed to take any leftovers with us and in hindsight a good thing because my hubby informed me that he'd tasted better McCains Pizzas. My crab spaghetti was too oily and my hubby's main size of pork belly looked more like an entree. That's the only time you let me down Melbourne. $184 later for five of us... money better spent at Pizza Hut and buying shoes with the change....

We did cheer ourselves up afterwards by heading down to Ganache for a chocolate overload afterwards... as you do...

Today our last day together I woke up with a heavy heart, I could feel it with Olivia too, she wouldn't leave me even for a second. We took the girls on the tram - because you HAVE to if you're in Melbourne....

Perfect opportunity to get pics of my frills - Olivia waiting for the tram

Thanks Mummy for my twirly dress (Love the shopping in the Philippines, dresses were $20 each!)

And we got ourselves down to.....

LUNA PARK! Now this is an expensive little exercise, but if you can stay at least 3 hours I think it's worth it. For us the admission worked out to be about $35 each... for unlimited rides, but unlike Sydney's Luna Park no re-mortgage of the house is necessary to buy drinks, lunch, sideshow alley or souvenirs. The rides are good and for a good range of ages, you'll have at least 4-5 rides even if you have the littlest ones....

Mummy 'looking cool'

Free entertainment!

I'm a bit of a fan of sideshow alley...

Everyone went home with a toy after not much $$ too. Win/win.

Then Mummy did some shopping at the St Kilda Markets, enroute back to the hotel to quickly pack and come out to the airport...

Tearful farewell... I'm not due home until December 8 - I'm hoping my frills and hubby can come visit me.. not sure when I'll have time to see them even if they do.. I would settle for the evenings and my one day off a week... I truly would. Until then, it's back to Skype.

Messages from Manila part two - typhoons and a bit of WTF!?

2011-09-27T06:03:47-07:00

OK Manila is getting a bit trippy. You may or may not have heard depending how connected you are to the news - but there's a Typhoon here at the moment. Locally known as 'Pedring' but internationally known as 'Nesat'. All the schools are closed, government offices are closed, and so was mine. I've worked from the 'comfort' of my hotel. Intermttent electricity and internet access and all...

I took a video from my hotel window this morning..

At lunchtime I decided to go and see if I could find something to eat that wasn't room service.. and I'm not used to this stuff!

This is a real place to eat - 'Cerealicious' they sell takeaway cereals 'with snow milk'

Check out the menu!

Electricity, escalators and aircon went out and most people just kept on working... it was stifling! Back to work for me, and a good workout of the thighs hiking up all those escalators... I don't want to even think about how sore my legs will be n the morning...

I did pick up a few gifts including some chocolate for the office of course...

And I don't know who chooses the names for chocolates in this country but I'm sure they've only go one thing on their minds....

I couldn't make up this stuff if I tried....

Messages from Manila part one

2011-09-25T02:46:47-07:00

Well... I know this isn't exactly the Sunday Baking Project but it's a bit hard to post about when I left the photos back in Sydney.... Whoops.

So I arrived in Manila last night. There's a few things I have to say:

To the bloke I sat next to: I am not sure WHY you needed to go to the bathroom 7 times in 8 hours but my advice to you is a)see a doctor about it b)get a aisle seat.

Qantas, Coke Zero is NOT the same thing as Diet Coke. No it is not. If I wanted to the taste of fully-leaded Coke, I'd drink that. For the record most people drink diet coke for the taste.

I have had 6 'Coke Light' since I got here - I will pretend all of them are on account of it being so humid and not because I am a stupid amount of exhausted.

Room service at midnight after you were starving on the plane because you forgot to put dietary requirements in your booking...lesson learned.

Wow hasn't Manila become so westernised in just the 10 years since I was last time I was here. So much to do, see, buy and EAT.

McDonalds is delivered here. 24 hours. Crikey.

Today after I eventually got up I went shopping in the complex attached to my hotel. Crazy cheap at department stores. Bought swimmers and dresses for Laura and Olivia - finding others to get anything in Eloise's size a challenge not sure why.

Gap is still expensive though.

Went with my longtime friend and work colleague to one of his favourite places for lunch called 2nds on Bonifacio High Street and within momentsof looking at the menu I understood why. It's comfort and hangover food. Essential foodstuffs for hardworking expats!

These were delicious - chicken paste stuff on the inside - sounds gross but it wasn't!

Bacon Chicharon - deep fried bacon with a corn crust... oh my.

This is the truffled mac'n'cheese with Chrorizo which I only ate 2 spoonfuls of...waste!

Enough said right?

Afterwards it was off to the markets where you would find all the knock-offs of the fakes. Didn't find much did get this for hubby..... It's a beanie which only god knows when you wear one here?

Some food porn for you...

2011-09-14T14:50:52-07:00

I really need to get around to updating my blog roll because this certainly should be on it.

The lovely Michelle Southan, Food Editor of Australian Good Taste put me on to this... good swap I think as I put her onto The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

But here is Sweet Paul. Paul is a stylist and quite reminiscent of Donna Hay actually. But it's a bit more 'fun' if that makes sense. He also issues a free seasonal online magazine - I love it!

PLUS he does craft. You've got to love a bloke who's in touch with his crafty side...!

So have you discovered Sweet Paul?
Where do you go for your food porn?

Seven ingredients to risottolaya!

2011-09-13T06:49:37-07:00

Add this one to your meal plan. Right now. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. I saw a recipe for chicken jambalaya in the Good Food UK app and it looked amazing. Only problem it was laced with capsicum and in our house - capsicum is poison - according to my husband.

I desperately wanted to make it and considered making him something extra so I could. But in the end I couldn't be bothered and I used some of the base recipe and tweaked it a little to get an almost-risotto but not quite. But truly it is so easy, kid friendly (not chili hot) and incredibly tasty. All my family included me were begging for seconds - sadly there were none! So I was promptly told to blog it so 'Daddy can make it when you're at work'... see, this blog thing comes in handy sometimes...

I used a tagine, but you don't need one if you don't have one. Just instead of putting the lid on the tagine, put in a casserole dish with a lid/foil and place in the oven.

Ingredients:
1 large red onion, roughly diced
3 smoked chorizo sausages, finely diced
500g chicken thighs or breasts, cut into strips
500ml vegetable stock
400g tin diced tomatoes
300ml white wine
1 cup long grain rice

Method:
Heat some oil in your pan and soften your onions

Add the chorizo and cook for about 5 minutes over a medium heat. Add chicken and brown, then add vegetable stock and white wine

Lastly add tin of tomatoes and uncooked rice.

Simmer with tagine lid or place in ovenproof dish with lid or tightly wrapped foil in preheated oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle it with parsley if you wish.. it will be lovely and saucy!

Serve!

Friends - do you adapt many recipes to cater to yours or your family's tastes?

What happened last weekend....

2011-09-12T21:23:59-07:00

My life has never been so much like a game of tetris. Squeezing in everything rushing, rushing rushing. Last weekend was no exception.

Some things we got up to:
Spent some time in the garden:

We re-planted the opera house garden - celery, tomatoes, chillies, cucumber, lettuce, carrots and zucchini - plus of course nasturtiums to keep the snails out...

Cut back the passionfruit a little...

bought some lattice for $1 a length from Bunnings, it was obviously not perfect, but it will be covered within a year with this lovely little lonely passionfruit...

We did a lot of driving, and as my hubby drove, I got some cooking inspiration from Martha Stewart and Super Food Ideas magazines online...love this!

And on Saturday night hubby and I got dressed up for the school's trivia night... our table drew the short straw and we were the 'Pimps and Pros' table. Hubby won a best dressed award as a pimp!

And I went as 'John, the customer'

Dodgy right? We did raise just under $14,000 for our school, and had a great night, so worthwhile!

And of course.... waaaaaaaaaaaafffffles. Love my new waffle maker!

Did you do anything out of the usual last weekend?

Heavenly homemade waffles.... don't kill me

2011-09-11T03:37:57-07:00

My hubby rolls his eyes whenever I declare I *need* an electrical appliance. I have a good many but I don't have pie makers or hot-dog keepers or anything like that. I am pretty practical. But a waffle machine has been on my covet list for a while, and I finally bit the bullet and bought one.

If you don't like a lot of appliances taking up valuable storage space I have some good news for you - the Breville Waffle Creations is small enough to make you justify it. That's what I did! And perfect waffles every time. I'm absolutely chuffed!

Everyone owns these Ikea cups, gives you an idea of the size..

So I found this recipe on the internet and tweaked a little - lovely waffles- no sugar either! It's what you add that makes a difference... so I've added syrup and fruit but you could use a berry coulis or even chocolate sauce if you're having them for dessert... yum!

Ingredients

2 eggs, separated

1 2/3 cups plain flour, sifted

1 tsp baking powder

1 2/3 (400ml) milk

1/2 cup canola oil

Method:

After separating your eggs, whip your egg whites until they form stiff peaks.

Sift your flour and baking powder.

Into a jug, add milk, oil and egg yolks and give it a good stir.

Pour that into your flour/baking powder

Whisk until smooth (about 1 minute)

Lastly gently fold in the egg white.

Don't beat the air out of it, that's what makes the waffles crispy and light.

Turn on your waffle iron, from experience, set it to almost the darkest setting.
Spoon in your mixture, don't worry if you overfill it the first time (I did) but basically try and get it to reach the rim of the mould.

If you do overfill it, it will spill out the sides, but because of the combination of non-stick surface and the oil content in the batter, it just comes away..

This if my first try, where I set it to a medium setting, it took a while to cook and whilst still yummy it was a bit on the chewy side.

A couple of tries later, and look - gorgeous and you have NO idea how good they are hot with butter and syrup! What you could do it freeze them like this and pop in the freezer and then toast them in the toaster when you want some quickly...

Drool... go on..

Sunday baking project: Chocolate pecan brownie cookies!

2011-09-10T19:56:18-07:00

It's been a pretty tough couple of weeks at work. Everyone's under time pressures. Everyone's up against some pretty tough challenges but as stressful as this is at times it's a great workplace where people do pull together and support each other when the chips are down.

You can tell the stress levels are escalating with the exponential presence of chocolate, coffee and diet coke on our floor. This week on my one day off (yes working 4 days a week now it seems...) I decided to treat my colleagues who have been asking me to bake for them for months and make them something chocolately.

I thought about making brownies, and then I thought about making them choc-chip cookies as these never fail to please - but I thought: 'why not combine them?' so I did!

The only piece of advice I will give you is please use good chocolate. Of course you don't HAVE to but I'm telling you, it makes a difference with the taste. This makes A LOT of cookies - around 50 - so stash some in the freezer of feed them to a horde... or just divide the recipe in half!

Ingredients

125g softened butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup caster sugar

2 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder (I used Cadbury Bournville)
250 quality dark cooking chocolate (I used Lindt Connaisseur)
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips (I used hersheys)
100g shelled pecans, roughly chopped

Method:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees c

In a bowl, combine your butter and sugars together until smooth.

Add your flour and cocoa

In microwave jug, melt your 250g dark chocolate (I do it by breaking it up, microwaving on 50% power for 1 minute, stirring and then putting in the microwave for another minute on 50% power. If yours isn't melted by the 2nd minute, do another minute on 50% power)

Add your vanilla extract and eggs and stir well.

Try not to eat it all at this point.

Slowly mix your melted chocolate into your dry ingredients

Oh heavens, I will allow you at this point to have a taste. Try and stop at one teaspoon.

Take off the beater and stir in pecans and chocolate chips

Phwoaar... is all I'm going to say..

Roll into balls on a greased tray and then press them down a little with your hands.

Bake for about 15 minutes - when they are cooked leave them to cool on the tray for about 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.... do yourself a favour and taste-test them now... divine... and fudgy.

Enjoy my friends, enjoy. Spread the love to your friends and family.... and stressed-out workmates..

20 Barbeque ideas to inspire you this spring

2011-09-08T14:04:40-07:00

Here's some inspiration to get your BBQ mojo now the warmer weather is on it's way!

I know I am already planning social gatherings, but sometimes it's hard to remember what you normally have or you just want to try something new... so he's a list of BBQ recipes to inspire and remind you how good a BBQ can be!

Enjoy your weekend!

Last minute spiced BBQ prawns...

2011-09-07T06:45:46-07:00

I'm absolutely thrilled it's Spring. Thrilled. As much as I love the casseroles and puddings of winter, they are feeling a little bit done now and I'm ready to move on... to Spring. I feel so grateful to live somewhere where we get to experience all four seasons.

Another thing I love about the warmer weather is cooking and eating outside. On Tuesday it was 26.8 degrees and I couldn't wait to get the BBQ fired up. I was pumped. Unfortunately the gods were against me with timing. Tuesday being my only day off work was crammed-full of errands and as a result I didn't get home in time to give the BBQ its spring clean.

So I cheated. I made a quickie rub and used the stove grill.

I would totally recommend buying a stovetop grill if you don't have one. Even if you have a BBQ, it allows you to cook BBQ year round and is particularly useful in doing small quantities of grilled vegetables or a steak here and there.

OK, onto the recipe:

Quickie spicy marinade enough for 50 prawns
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp hot paprika
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tb olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

Method:
Mix all your marinade ingredients together with the exception of the lemon juice.

Add marinade to a ziplock bag,add the lemon juice and the prawns, seal and give it a good shake. Let it sit for as long as you can, but if you need to - just let it sit for a few minutes whilst you heat your BBQ/grill and soak some skewers in hot water for about 5 minutes.

Thread prawns onto your skewers and place onto your grill. Grill for about 1.5 minutes on each side... I like to get 'em a bit crispy to allow the spices to get a bit crunchy.

My grill sits across two of my burners on my stove, love it!

Serve with salad and baked potatoes if you've got a bit more time!

What food are you looking forward to this spring? Have you been using your barbeque yet or do you use it year 'round?

Lunchbox legends: Apple Rhubarb and Custard Muffins

2011-09-06T02:05:28-07:00

Rhubarb feels like a special treat for me, as it was as a child so when I see it at a good price, I simply cannot resist. I quickly chop off the stems and leaves, put into an oven proof dish with some sugar a little water (or if I'm feeling very good just some orange juice) and seal it with alfoil and bake it for 30-40 minutes. Too easy. It's great to have with icecream or cream and especially good with custard.

That was my inspiration for today's recipe - the loveliness of rhubarb and custard, with a bit of apple for good measure - use pear if you like too. If you're not a fan of rhubarb or it's not available to you - quickly stew some berries with some water and sugar...

Ingredients:
2 cups self raising flour
1/4 cup custard powder
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 apples, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup stewed rhubarb
100g butter, melted
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
Preheat oven to 200 degrees c

Into a bowl, add flour, custard powder, sugars, apple and rhubarb, give it a quick stir.

Add milk, vanilla extract, eggs and butter and stir until just combined and no lumps of flour..

Spoon into muffin/cupcake papers until about 3/4 full.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top.

A tip: Whilst these are delicious cold, there's something a little more special about them warm, so serve them up with icecream or extra custard warm if you like too (reheat them in tin foil enmasse if you become a bit addicted!)

So are these up your alley? Does rhubarb hold a special place in your heart?

Banoffee Pie

2011-09-05T04:32:30-07:00

You know last week's conversation with my uncle about the recipes you pick up along the way got me thinking.... almost twenty years ago when I lived in London my boyfriend at the time loved Banoffee pie. When he told me this I had no idea what a Banoffee Pie was. So before the days of google he took me to a cafe in Paddington that served his favourite.

My forensic eating skills are well known. I like to dissect my foods flavours and try and work out what is in it. This one was an absolute no brainer. So I surprised him one weekend and made it. He was amazed I did it without a recipe - but really I couldn't work out how he hadn't worked it out. What I couldn't work out the most is why he paid £5 a slice.

It's very rich and not exactly weight-watchers-friendly but it is a slice of heaven and my husband who doesn't even like bananas wasn't the least bit perturbed at their presence or the fact that I used to make it for my ex-boyfriend. He was too busy scoffing himself....

Ingredients:
200g nice biscuits (or other sugar cookie)
100g melted butter
1 tb golden syrup (optional)
2 tins skim sweetened condensed milk
300ml cream, whipped
2 bananas, slice

Method:
Process or crush your biscuts until they are bread-crumb-like.. A few chunks isn't going to break you...

Melt your butter and mix in your golden syrup.. Pour into your biscuits and mix well. Press down into a greased pie tin.

Make your caramel... put it on a medium heat and don't answer the phone. Stay there and stir that thing until you can't stand the sight of it any more.. that should take about 10 or so minutes. If you walk away to answer the phone you'll come back to a little crust around the outside of your pan like I did (and luckily it didn't burn but I was NOT happy!)

It will change colour to a caramel colour and start to become heavy.

Now if you have an urge to answer the phone or children or even husbands who love to interrupt, don't worry - you can sieve it and get out most of the brown bits if you haven't burnt it.

Pour into your base - try to resist the urge to pour it into your mouth - because it will hurt. Trust me.

Smooth it out.... leave it for about 15 minutes. Whip your cream...

And spread it over the top and then slice your bananas and place on top before serving.

If you MUST be one of these people who needs chocolate on everything - sprinkle with a little flake if you like.. personally I don't think it needs it.

Slice it up and savour! Close your eyes and tell the weight-watcher folk it's worth the points.. A little bit goes a long way!

One for the mealplan: Turkish Lamb Pide

2011-09-04T05:40:25-07:00

Three words:
Holy freaking dooly.

For something that actually doesn't have a lot of ingredients it tastes pretty fancy. Hearty and yummy but fresh - perfect for this time of the year when it's still a little cool but we want it light and fresh too. My only recommendation is that you make two. OK, try one and then do what I did and make two the next time!

Ingredients:
Dough
300ml warm water
1 1/2 tsp dry yeast
2 1/2 cups plain flour
tsp salt flakes

Filling
1 brown onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely diced
1 kg lamb mince
2 tb paprika
2 tb cumin
1/2 cup red wine (I used Shiraz, use whatever you like the drink!)

To serve:
1/4 cup sour cream
2 sprigs fresh parsley, choppped
2 springs of mint, chopped

Method:
Prepare your dough first by adding yeast to your water and leaving for about 10 minutes until it foams up a little.

Add your flour and mix it into a soft dough (a little soft, if it's too soft - add a little flour, if not soft enough, add water) knead for about 3-4 minutes.

Place into a greased bowl for about 2 hours or until it doubles.

To make the filling, brown your onions and soften the garlic, then add the lamb and brown that before adding the wine, cumin and paprika. Simmer for about 15 minutes and then turn off the heat.

Heat your oven to 220 degrees c.

Roll out your dough onto a floured surface to a kind of oval shape.

Roll out until it's about 3/4cm thick.

Transfer onto a greased tray.

Pour your lamb mixture into the middle and spread out sparing 2 inches at the edges. Fold over the ends.

Then fold up the sides by slightly pinching it so it holds into place.

Then put into the oven for about 20 minutes until the dough it cooked and slightly golden.

Dab with sour cream, then add the mint and parsley...

Slice cross-ways and devour. Then chastize yourself you made just one.