Did you know?

Chilies contain more Vitamin C than oranges. 

Lotus - Wamberal, NSW

Sunday mornings, you'll find me here.  This cafe is so comfortable and one of the only places I've seen the 'Beach Theme' perfectly executed.  The owners and staff are friendly and the atmosphere is a bit laid back and casual, but in a good way.  They use Toby's Estate coffee (my second favourite brand) and their food is delicious and incredibly good value for money.

Phone - (02) 4385 9260

Address - 127 Ocean View Dr, Crn Dover Rd.

Apologies for the poor picture quality - will get some better ones next time I'm there.

Bacon and Egg Turkish Roll - $8

Veggie Breakfast - $16 (with sausage $2)

I don't remember a time I didn't cook

age 9...

This was my first time catering a party - my own 9th birthday party!  The menu was pretty typical of a kids birthday party, a garden salad, sausages, chicken skewers, noodle salad (my own recipe - 2 min noodles mixed with mayo, sour cream, peas and cheese - it's actually really yummy!) and no 9th Birthday Party would be complete without duck liver pate in vol au vents w a green olive to garnish.   

My mum helped me make the pate and, needless to say, my guests steered clear of them.  Even when their parents came to pick them up, I offered them some and I think only one brave parent gave them a go.  

Mum and I had the best dinner that night.  

Recipes - Parmesan Gelato

This was supposed to be one of two starters for the Vegetarian Feast.  I found the recipe on taste.com.au, one of my favourite websites for sourcing new recipes, however it did not work!  When reading the recipe, it didn't make a lot of sense in my head but I thought I would give it a go anyway.  Bad idea, total fail! 

Ingredients
1 cup parmesan, grated
1 1/2 cups cream
pinch paprika
1 cup balsamic vinegar 
1/2 cup red wine
1 baguette, sliced
1-2 cloves garlic, halved
olive oil

Step 1 - Put parmesan, cream and paprika in a bowl over simmering water.  Season and stir until parmesan has melted. Strain through a fine sieve, pushing down well. Set aside to cool then cover and refrigerate overnight.

Step 2 - Place vinegar in a pan, bring to boil then reduce to simmer until reduced by half. Set aside to cool.

Step 3 - Using an ice cream scoop to place small scoops of the parmesan mixture on a lined tray and return to the fridge.

Step 4 - Preheat oven to 170°C.  Drizzle oil with red wine, brush with oil and place on a baking tray.  Bake for 6-8 minutes until golden brown, rub with garlic while still warm, then set aside to cool.

Step 5 - To serve, place scoop of gelato on bread and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Notes:

Balsamic glaze can be purchased from most supermarkets and is an alternative to making it yourself.   

Recipes - Caramel Brie

Oh My Goodness!  This is so good it should be illegal!  I found this recipes on taste.com.au and used it as the starter for my Vegetarian Feast.  I'll be making this again....and again....and again! 

Ingredients
Wheel of Brie, I used King Island Dairy Double Brie
Pecans or walnuts
2 cups sugar

Step 1 - Place Brie on a rack over a foil lined tray.  Arrange nuts on top.

Step 2 - Place sugar and 1/2 cup water in a heavy bottomed saucepan on low heat. Stir until sugar dissolves.  Increase to medium heat and cook without stirring until mixture turns golden.

Step 3 - Remove from heat and sit until bubbles subside.  Pour caramel over cheese.  Allow caramel to harden before removing from rack.  

Notes:


If you are not serving immediately, cover and refrigerate.  Remove from fridge 30 minutes prior to serving.