Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Host a picnic in 10 easy steps (a)

Hello lovely people

I feel a bit bad for ignoring you for a while...i have been SUPER busy. Actually, truth is...i haven't been busy at all. Just, my boy is visiting from swiss-land for a month, so i'm spending all my time with him...and none of it cooking. Although, i am living VERY close to leederville and its bounty of resturants - so i promise to tell you about that as i work my way through them.

under the pines with my boy

However, I do have something food related to talk about...

PIC - NICS!!!

i loooooooooooooooooooooooooooove picnics. possibly more than I love going out to dinner (SHOCK)

They are possibly the best thing in the whole wide world. All you do is spend $10 bringing some sort of food and you get to try ALL DIFFERENT FOODS!!! So here, i am going to tell you how to host a picnic...

1) Choose a date
- March is the best time for picnics in perth. The sun sets around 7, so you have light till around 7:30 - 8. Its after the Christmas rush, so most people have time. its also around the time when friends start to slack off, so its important to make them remember. ALSO the sculptures at cott are on, and so are the outdoor movies - perfect picnic venues.

2) Choose a time
- I find 6 is the best time for an evening picnic - enough time to get home, and  get organised and down to the spot.

3) Choose friends
- This sounds funny, but choose people who you are happy to sit and chill with, and you know have good taste in food and wont stinge out (ie: bring boring food). The more gourmet your friends tastes, the better the picnic food.

4) Sort out what needs to be brought (coz people will ask)
- I generally go: one bring deli meats/antipasto, one bring bread/crackers, one bring veges, one bring cheese/dip, one bring dessert (fruit n choc is always good). You can opt for by drinks or delegate one to bring non alco drinks.

5) Make a facebook event (or mass msg)
- Garunteed you wont be able to suit everyone for a picnic (two people is still a picnic) but make an event stating the date and place and invite your friends.

6) Ask everyone to POST on the EVENT WALL what they are bringing
- Write the list of stuff in the event details. To keep track...also, write in the event details when something is being taken. OR tell people what to bring.

7) Arrive a little bit early (as the host you should be there on time)
- Bring a blanket (or if at the beach) some towels, and secure your picnic spot

8) Wait for everyone to arrive

9) Arrange food in the middle of the circle

10) EAT, DRINK, TALK, LAUGH, ENJOYYYY!!!

remember to bring spare plastic bags for rubbish and to leave the area as you found it :)


here are some pictures from the annual collective random picnic at cott beach:



one of my fav sculptures: th lovers :)

sun setting over the jetty

our picnic food!!!! lovely and colourful


the 3rd annual collective picnic :)
cott after the sun goes down

Friday, March 11, 2011

Eggless date and nut cake [k]

Yesterday...

Mum: We have so many dates! What to do with all these dates.. I feel like something with walnut and date.

Today...

Me: Free time = baking time! I know, i'll make something walnut-y and date-y!! Mum'll love it!

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart
- Author Unknown

Eggless date and nut cake
** This cake was developed by the AWW kitchen for those who are intolerant to eggs. Recipe slightly adapted.

1 cup honey
1 cup water
30g butter 
2 1/4 cups wholemeal self-raising flour (if you prefer a lighter cake, use half white SR flour)
2 tsps mixed spice
2 tbs brandy (optional. using only 2 tbs that is.. haha)
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped seeded dried dates
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup slivered/flaked almonds

  1. Preheat oven to moderate (180*C/160*C fan-forced). Grease deep 19cm-square cake pan; line base with baking paper
  2. Stir honey, the water and butter in medium saucepan over low heat until butter melts.
  3. Combine sifted flour and spice, dates and nuts in medium bowl; stir in warm honey mixture. 
  4. Spread cake mixture into pan. Bake, uncovered, about 40 minutes. Stand cake 5 minutes then turn onto wire rack; turn cake top-side up to cool.
 Serve with good vanilla ice-cream or warm custard; and a cuppa on the side.

Dense date and nut goodness!
 xx

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Lazy summer brekkies (k)

Now, apparently you can blog from your mobile - here goes, attempt #1!
In celebration of breakfast - truly THE best meal of the day - and summer; a photo. Its only just passed Feb but the easter produce are already well and truly on supermarket shelves. So a fusion..to inspire you to take some time n slow down, enjoy life, enjoy simple pleasures. I sure know I need reminding at times.

Xx

Mini hot cross bun french toast, nectarines, greek vanilla yogurt. - faithful favourite <3

more recipes coming soon ... !