I am older.

Whilst I was in Victoria on an unexpected holiday, it was my birthday. Seeing as no-one had planned for this momentous occasion being away from home and away from most modern ammenities, it was a lovely un-bothered and casual day, and one of the nicest I have had.

I received a beautiful bunch of flowers from the garden (and psst... check out the gorgeous old vase that belonged to my great grandmother).


Then my aunt made me a sponge cake. Being devoid of birthday candles, food colouring, or any decorative bits and bobs, we found some funny flower candles in a box of random bathroom smelly things, and I collected some little flowers from the garden to decorate the cake. It was filled with whipped cream and my aunt's homemade strawberry and loganberry jam.

Birthday dinner was a delicious Thai chicken curry that my aunt cooked, with fresh vegetables from her garden. So yummy, and such a memorable day.

What do you like doing for your birthday? What was your most memorable one?

Something to keep you going

So, in about 13 hours I am leaving for New Zealand. Hurrah! I can't wait to get on the plane, and then into the campervan, to drive around the North Island for 9 days.

So, whilst I am soaking up the sights, sounds and smells (yes, Rotorua) of the place, here is a sight and a story for you to keep you going until next Saturday!

It was my breakfast yesterday: a little dish of baked eggs with lots of leftovers. Ham, baby spinach, potato, shallots, mushroom, and mozzarella cheese all mixed together with fresh thyme, nutmeg, and salt and pepper, then baked in the oven for 10 minutes, and finished under the grill for another 5.

The terracotta dish is one of six traditional tapas dishes that I was given for Christmas last year, along with the wonderful 1080 Recipes, a classic Spanish cookbook. The dishes came from the most fabulous Spanish "deli" in Melbourne: Casa Iberica. They have the most amazing and delicious selection of Spanish and South American foods, from the best chorizo ever to the delicious flavoured Jamaica and Tamarindo drinks (a favourite at our house - and don't say Jamaica, say humaika). If you are in the vicinity, it is a must: 25 Johnston St, Fitzroy.

Farewell! See you when I return next Saturday, with many more stories and sights from sunny NZ.

Swimming in Cake

Inspired by RubyJo and her memories of her Swimming Pool Cake for her 5th Birthday, I felt I should share my version of the cake with you.

When I was 5, I too had the swimming pool cake as my birthday cake, but as I was a Picky Young Lady, I didn't want jelly in the middle. Blue icing sufficed.

When I turned 25, I asked Mum to do the cake again, seeing it was such a hit the first time round. Now that I look closely, it was more of a desert island than a swimming pool!

For those that DID like jelly, we also had frog in a pond.

A Lazy Saturday Breakfast

As the sun comes up on a calm Saturday morning, and as the end of a frantic week is gratefully waved goodbye, I have but one thought in my head:

Bacon and Egg Pie.

And not only is it as easy as falling off a log, it tastes seriously good. This recipe makes 4 individuals:

3 rashers of bacon
4 eggs
1/2 a large onion, chopped
1 Tomato
6 sheets filo pastry
Butter, melted
70g tin of sweetcorn
4 tablespoons grated tasty cheese
Dash of milk
Nutmeg
Pepper
Salt

Chop the bacon roughly and fry in a pan until crispy. Place in a small mixing bowl. Fry the onions in the same pan, and add to bowl with corn. Brush each pastry sheet with butter, and cut into 3 pieces. Layer 4 pieces of pastry into each individual pie dish, arranging the edges roughly. Break the eggs into the bowl with bacon, onion and corn. Add a good shake of nutmeg, salt and pepper, a dash of milk, and most of the cheese. Stir well and divide into the 4 pie dishes (it should only be about half full - the egg will rise as it cooks). Top with thin slices of tomato, and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake in a 200 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until egg is cooked and pastry is browned.

When it's cold outside, and you're feeling low, you need...

Flowers and cake.

Top: A posy my Mum brought me from her garden. Next: A Sponge Cake with Rasperry Jam, baked so the oven would warm the house up. Then: Poppies for my dinner party. And lastly: Sweet Williams to cheer up the house.

Moroccan Dinner Party

On Friday night we had friends around for dinner. Of course, being the culinary whizz that I am, I decided to make 3 dishes that I had never attempted before. Yes, I know this is a cardinal sin of dinner parties, and that you should always cook something that you know turns out well. Ok. But I saw these yummy Moroccan recipes, and I got a bit excited. So here's the menu:

Entree
Baby Spinach and Haloumi salad with Asparagus and Avocado

Main
Bisteeya (Moroccan Chicken and Almond Filo Pie)
Spiced Honey and Lemon Carrots with fresh herbs

Dessert
Golden Syrup Dumplings with Vanilla Bean Icecream

I admit, I cheated with the Golden Syrup Dumplings. They are an old family classic and sooo easy to make. But the other dishes were all new! And I was so pleased with how they turned out. But I think the Bisteeya was the highlight of the night. Chicken, red onions, coriander, ginger, garlic, saffron, cinnamon stick, chilli and stock all cooked slowly on the stove - and then baked in a filo casing with almonds, cinnamon and icing sugar between the layers. Delicious.

Easter in Pictures

The Easter Bunny came to visit

My youngest brother's hoard from the Royal Easter Show


Baking Easter Cookies

Lamb on the BBQ for lunch



Easter Cookies for dessert

Happy Easter everyone!

Carne Asada and Mug Cake

DINNER

A traditional Mexican BBQ. We were given this BBQ hotplate for the stove by the Parents in Law.

All the toppings ready to go. In the back, a tortillero - a Mexican tortilla warmer. Tomato salsa fresca, white onion, guacamole, coriander, lime, and special chilli sauce.

Put it all together and eat!

And then...

DESSERT

Chocolate Chip Mug Cakes. Thanks to Michi Girl for her recipe, which seems to be successful even though I didn't have cocoa or a microwave.