Starter
Garlic Bread
Main
Chicken Breast wrapped in Prosciutto and pan fried (Chicken Saltimbocca)
Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil
Steamed Broccolini
Dessert
Tiramisu
Scott and I were wondering what other desserts or recipies use coffee or more specifically espresso in their ingredients. I thought of some chocolate cake recipies and even a chocolate mousse that have coffee in them. I used 2 double shot long blacks in the Tiramisu - Yum!
Almost as funny as an April fools joke (maybe that's why they changed it to April) is forgetting to change the clocks. We were an hour early for creche this morning! Those of you who know us well would be familiar with our penchant for sleep. I even joked with Kate as we drove to North Rocks this morning about how poorly we would fare if we were to have a baby.
So with an hour to spend we returned home to change the time on 12 appliances (only two of which were actual clocks!), tidied the lounge room a little, I synchronized my watch with the talking clock (phone 1194), Kate played on facebook, I checked the pantry for the ingredients for scones that I'm planning on making for church supper tonight and posted this. Priceless.
... makes everything better. Work has been particularly stressful and draining at work this week so I made this chocolate cake for the staff. It helped a little, I think, but didn't stop me from being off sick today : ( . It was sweet, dark and rich - yum!
Hope the Greek and Hebrew exams go well today - let me know if you need some chocolate cake?
It's valentine's day not that it really means much to us seeing as our wedding anniversary is tomorrow but it gives me an excuse to talk about food.
Kate and I spent the weekend serving (literally) our brothers and sisters at Cumbo Uni Church. We cooked for them on their weekend away while they heard talks on Eschatology or 'the end times' (I had to ask). They had a great time and so did we. It was great to be a part of a small Uni Church again after our Mars Hill Anglican Church experience at Macquarie Uni a few years ago.
The highlights were pancakes, lots of apple crumble and choc chip cookies. This one is from the dough that didn't fit on the trays - so we made a huge one!!!
We also went to Fresh on Sam and Soph's recommendation. I had a piccolo of their fair trade Sumatran Single Origin and of their House blend. Both very good! Amazingly we ran into Libby and Matt as they were also following Sam and Soph's advice while in the mountains for the CMS Federal AGM (I think?!?!). They were roasting as you can see on the embedded blogger video below (new feature!)
One thing I really love is a bargain. Never pay retail! Another thing I love in close conjunction with my affinity for a deal is my credit card (a very dangerous weapon in the hands of an experienced operator). It was in this pursuit that I visited Aldi today. This is probably my fourth excursion to the great German supermarket. I was looking for two of their 'special items' - a cast iron enamel skillet and frypan (I also love cooking). Unfortunately they were sold out so I had to settle for a dutch oven (heh heh heh). What annoyed me was not the fact that they sold out within 2 hours of going on sale but the severe lack of assistance and courtesy (verging on rudness) supplied by the staff and then they slugged me a surcharge for using my credit card. Where is the love?
Back from my last night shift and eating the remains of the Apple and Raspberry Crumble we had at Bible study last night. I bought some Cadbury Creamy Vanilla as Woolies were sold out of the Toose Hoose regular - Peter's Vanilla (the Cadbury's was on special at the same price). It's pretty good with more of a creamy yellow colour than the Peter's stark white and has a great texture. Our other favourites are the Toppa Hokey Pokey (available @ Woolies) a New Zealand ice cream that's pretty cheap and almost anything from the Connoisseur range especially the Cookies & Cream and the newly discovered Chocolate Honey Nougat. I do like a bit of gelato especially hazelnut (which Kate hates) but ice cream is my first love.
***I've just discovered that Cadbury, Peter's & Connoisseur are all owned by the same mob***
The Secret Toose Hoose Crumble Recipe (read this and I'll have to kill you)
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup Rolled Oats
3/4 Cup Plain Flour
1/4 Cup Coconut
50 - 75g Melted Butter (depending on how healthy you're feeling)
Chuck it all together making sure you crumble the butter into the dry ingredients (get your hands into it!). Bung it over any tinned/stewed fruit you like in a oven dish and lightly pack it down. Whack it in the oven @ 180 for 25 - 30 mins or until lightly browned on top.
