Summer is here! Stinking hot days, muggy evenings followed by cooling thunderstorms and all in one day! One thing about living in Dubai that you could be fairly sure about was what the weather was showing for the morning would pretty much remain for the day (I miss that). Sure there was the odd sandstorm and rain (yes), but you generally always knew it was going to be perfect (winter months, like now), hot, very hot, and unimaginably hot. It was reliable, which is anything but what Sydney weather has shown us since our return. I’m adjusting….
S is for Salmon
I’m almost a whole year behind schedule. I am a finisher, so rather than abandon the plan to complete an alphabet of ingredient posts by the years end, I’ve just altered the year in which it will be completed! I feel a bit rusty on writing the posts, and so much has happened in our lives since the last post, but I’ll try to keep it simple….
K is for Kale
I like Kale. And thats usually where it stops, if I’m honest. I enjoy it raw or sautéed with dressings or sauces, knowing it is goodness in every mouthful. But I must admit, there are a lot of other green vegetables that I would choose over kale. I associate this fibrous, leafy vegetable with the new age ‘trendy’ foods; quinoa, green smoothies, raw cacao, kale.
Our household eat very well. I’m thankful that my kids eat most of what is put in front of them (as with any little person, there are particularly fussy days / weeks, but it does pass). We have a policy where you must taste everything once and if you don’t like it, no problem, but you can’t not like it if you haven’t tried it. My eldest will try everything and mostly likes whatever it is. The girls are a little young to fully comprehend this policy and depending on their moods, are directly reflected in what they will and won’t eat….
D is for Duck
A slight delay, I know, but I had to disappear for a few days to fly to Sydney to meet my beautiful new niece. 3 days in Sydney, and worth every minute, so I don’t mind the delay or the challenge of weekly blog posts for the next little while eek! I’m pretty sure I like duck, I know its not everyone’s thing. I LOVE duck pancakes peking style and duck confit is just heaven in every fatty, melting mouthful. …
C is for Carrots
If I am to accomplish this alphabet of recipes by end of 2015, I need to lift my game, on average posting 3 recipes a month!! C was a bit tricky for me, I had promised a classic cheesecake to my sister who’s name also starts with a C and is my daughters namesake. But in all honesty, I am trying to be a little healthy and I made this next recipe a few weeks back for a friends photo shoot in the desert and it was so yummy I had to share. I will make a cheesecake soon.
I love Ottolenghi, I own all of his cookbooks (one signed), have been to his cafes in London and I am very envious of my mum who went to see him talk about his fascinating travels.
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Recharging the batteries
Mid term break – tick. A very successful one at that. Thalpe, Sri Lanka (about 2 hours or so south of Colombo, near Galle) 6 adults, 7 children under 5, 1 villa. A pool and a beach and the most amazing hospitality resulted in a wonderfully relaxing and indulgent holiday. The monsoon season also managed to ease up for a week of mostly sunny warm days with the odd thunderstorm to entertain our rain deprived desert babies….
