Oregano Lamb with Greek Salad

Ryan and I tried a new style of shopping on Sunday. We decided we wanted to have the shopping done in 20mins max. To do this we split up the shopping list - I gave him all the fruit, veg, bread and meats (all in the same aisle) whilst I would get everything else (I'm faster as I do the food shop and know where everything is). Not surprisingly I finished first, but we were all done in under 20mins. In fact, we were home in that time.

This new method of ours seemed great, until I went to cook the lamb for dinner and realised that instead of Lamb Loin Chops, my dyslexic and lazy reader-of-a-fiance, bought Pork loin chops. As I did not think oregano or a Greek salad would go well with pork, I had to make a mad dash to the supermarket before everyone came for dinner. Luckily the dinner itself is super fast to make.

4 lamb loin chops (I used 8 lamb cutlets)
1/2 cup fresh oregano
1tbs lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper
Greek salad (tomatoes, feta, cucumber, olives and red onion)

Mix lemon, oregano, olive oil and garlic in a bowl. Add lamb chops and toss to coat. Cook lamb chops in pan until cooked to your liking (6mins for medium). Serve with a Greek Salad.

ease: 5/5.
prep time: 15mins to make marinade and to make Greek salad.
cooking time: 6mins for lamb cutlets.
total: 15mins. Make salad while lamb is cooking.

taste: 3.5/5. The boys thought the lamb was fine, Ryan didn't like the Greek salad much. I used 1/4 cup fresh oregano and 2tbs dried oregano.

would I make it again: No - they like other lamb seasonings better.

Walnut Crumb Banana Muffins

It's been a while since I last posted and for good reason; I have actually been quite busy.

It was my birthday on the 11th, and along with a slew of gorgeous gifts was a delicious box of xocaltyl chocolates - how divine do they look. My favourite was the violet followed closely by the rose (I love flower chocolates). The day was made even better by the discovery of a lone red flower in my garden; a christmas joy (I have no idea what the name of the flower is but that's what I am calling it.)During the week we were also lucky enough to be invited by Stefano Canturi to preview his collection made for the epic Baz Lurhman film, Australia. There were some seriously gorgeous pieces, a few were snapped up by some of the guests; lucky women.

On Sunday we went to lunch at Bistro Guillaume at Crown Casino with family - during the rest of the day I managed to squeeze in some time to make a batch of Vegan muffins.
\Doggie was eyeing them off all day.

ease: 4/5.
prep time: 18mins to make batter and coat walnuts.
cooking time: 20mins.
total: 38mins.

taste: 4.5/5. The walnut topping was crunchy, sweet and salty - really lovely, but I used half magerine and half butter. I also had to add 3tbs of milk to the batter as it was dry and dough-like. So my muffins weren't true vegan.

would I make it again: Yes.

recipe: http://veganvisitor.wordpress.com/2007/07/24/walnut-crumb-banana-muffins/

Chicken fajitas

Boy was it suffocating out today; I had to clothe the house in darkness to keep the sunshine from making it unbearably hot.

As I could do nothing more than lounge with a magazine to keep from building up a sweat, I almost decided to order a pizza as I did not think I could stand being in a hot kitchen. But then I reconsidered, as I needed to cook the chicken breasts that were nearing non-edibility, so I chose something with minimal stove time.

ease: 4/5.
prep time: 15mins to make salsa and marinate chicken.
cooking time: 8mins to cook chicken and toast burrito wraps
total: 23mins.

taste: 3.5/5. Not bad, they felt like they were missing something, which was most probably shredded tasty cheese. It could also have been because I did not add avocado or onion (because the avocado was black inside and my onion was a little mouldy - damn hot weather). I also didn't particularly feel that the smoked paprika was appropriate.

would I make it again: No, I've made tastier chicken fajitas than this.

recipe: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/15942/chicken+fajitas

Red capsicum, chickpea & parsley salad

To celebrate summer-ly weather I wanted something light and fresh to go with my BBQ'd lamb; raw red capsicum is one of my favourite vegetables to eat in warm weather.

ease: 5/5.
prep time: 5mins to chop ingredients.
cooking time: 1min to make dressing.
total: 6mins.

taste: 4/5. No one liked the sesame oil and felt it overpowered the other ingredients. I used two red capsicums and 400g tin of chickpeas. I also threw a handful of flaked almonds in.

would I make it again: Yes - I will however substitute olive oil for the sesame oil.

recipe: http://www.veggiefriendly.com.au/2006/08/10/red-capsicum-parsley-and-chickpea-salad-summer-salad-event/

bbq lamb cutlets with cumin and smoked paprika salt

It's days like these I wish I had a BBQ...must put one on my Xmas list :).

ease: 5/5.
prep time: 3mins to make salt mix and melt butter.
cooking time: 6mins to cook lamb.
total: 9mins.

taste: 4.5/5. Ryan really loved this. Dad finally told me it had taste (he finds my lamb a little bland sometimes). I cooked 12 cutlets but kept the salt mix the same - next time I would use a little less as my brother found them a little over spiced.

would I make it again: Yes. Dinner ready in 9mins, can't get any better than that.

recipe: http://www.thestonesoup.com/blog/2008/11/a-barbeque-worth-its-salt/

Jam Crumb Cake

Summer really is just around the corner; 4 days of hot temperatures with plenty of sunshine, just what my transparent skin needs.

Tonight my partner and I are lucky enough to have dinner cooked for us by my dad. For the boys he is making Five Spice Duck with Hoisin sauce. For me he has some Pumpkin Soup OR Mushroom Thyme Soup (I made this soup a while ago, simply divine). As he was making dinner I thought I'd whip up something quick to bring for dessert. After I put it in the oven I called to let him know, after which he informed me that he had actually made a Tiramisu for dessert. 'No problem', I proclaimed, 'we'll just have to have a slice of both!' I think I'll have to wear my elasticated pants tonight...

ease: 4/5.
prep time: 15mins to make batter and crumb topping.
cooking time: 25mins
total: 45mins.

taste: 2/5. Extremely bland. Definitely needed more jam as you can barely taste it. Quite dry as well.

would I make it again: No.

recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Jam-Crumb-Cake-240948

Pork & Pineapple Burger

Summery weather calls for summer fruits and easy to eat food - burgers seemed to fit the bill.

2 granny smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1/3 cup whole egg mayonnaise
1 1/2tbs white wine vinegar
salt and pepper
300g pork fillet, trimmed and halved
olive oil, for brushing
150g pineapple, peeled and thinly sliced
4 burger buns, halved
BBQ sauce and rocket leaves, to serve

Preheat oven to 200C. Combined the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss apples through mayonnaise. Set aside.
Brush pork with oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Fry Pork for 2mins each side and then place on baking tray and roast for 10mins or until cooked through. Cover and set aside. Brush pineapple slices with oil and fry until browned. Brush the buns with oil and fry until browned. Slice the pork. Spread the bun halves with BBQ sauce and top with pineapple, pork, apple mixture and rocket leaves. Serves 4.

ease: 3.5/5. You need to grill a few things and also have to roast the pork as well.
prep time: 15mins to brown pork and get other ingredients cooked and ready.
cooking time: 12mins to cook pork in oven.
total: 27mins.

taste: 4.5/5. Boys liked it - dad said it would have been nicer if the pork had more seasoning.

would I make it again: Yes. It's a little fiddly but everyone liked it.

Mango & Strawberry Chiller

Absolutely gorgeous weather today; although I did spend most of my morning starting the Christmas shopping, after two hours I have a total of two presents bought - excellent use of time.

My tummy was a little sore today after polishing up two glasses last night and one today, so I thought a good dose of fruit was in order.

250ml apricot nectar
1 mango
6 strawberries
6 ice cubes

Blend all 4 ingredients together.

ease: 5/5.
prep time: 4mins to cut up mangoes and wash strawberries
cooking time: 2mins to blend ingredients
total: 6mins.

taste: 4/5. Really fresh, sweet and tangy. The strawberries add a tang that helps to cut through the sweetness of the nectar and mangoes.

would I make it again: No - mangoes tend to be pricey so I prefer to eat them, not drink them.

Creme Au Nutella

Image is Helen's from Tartlette - I forgot to take photos of mine before we polished them all off.

Ah Nutella, my Achilles heel.

Once upon a time, a long time ago, Nutella was my best friend. I would spend at least one hour a day with Nutella and my teaspoon whilst I watched a movie, most often Chocolat (one of my favourites). At first we took the relationship slow, and as time went on I introduced a tablespoon, and then a wooden spoon, and the a whole measuring cup. It was not long before I was eating half of the largest tub of Nutella I could get each day.

Combined with my love of other sugary foods, and my aversion to exercise, I soon packed on the kilos and it wasn't long before my parents, between arguments, actually noticed I had gone up two sizes in two months; no small feat by any means. After that, Nutella was told to never come back to our house. It was hard at first, but slowly, I got used to its absence.

Years went by; I grew up, moved out of my parents house, and made a home with my fiance and our dog. In the beginning, at my fiance's request, I bought Nutella, but it wasn't long until the tablespoons were coming out, so I stopped buying it. And as with me the first time, although initially distraught, my fiance soon forgot about it.

It has been over two years since I last bought Nutella, for the simple reason I could not trust myself around it. And then I stumbled upon this recipe; but as I am now engaged and getting married in 3 months, my relationship with Nutella will be that of friendship, occasional visits, but no sleepovers.

ease: 4/5. There is whipping and stove top work involved.
prep time: 14mins. 10mins to melt chocolate into cream whilst beating the eggs and sugar. And then 5mins to thicken on the stove.
cooking time: 2hours to refrigerate and whip cream.
total: 2hours 14mins - only about 17mins hands on time though.

taste: 4.5/5. These are SUPER rich. Small servings are best as they are so chocolatey that water is definitely needed every couple of spoonfuls. It is velvety smooth with a deep chocolate taste. I also put a spoonful of Nutella down the bottom like Helen from Tartlette did.
would I make it again: Yes. Nicer than other mousse recipes I have tried.
recipe: http://tartelette.blogspot.com/2007/02/creme-au-nutella-and-macarons.html

Tomato, feta & basil quiche

The trees are shaking their leaves angrily whilst the rain drums down onto the concrete. Weather like this makes me want to hibernate...it also makes me hungrier.

I was going to make a classic salad of feta, cherry tomatoes and basil, but it felt too summery for today's weather, I needed something warm and cheesy. So I turned my salad into a quiche. As I was not planning on making this today I made a few errors, like forgetting to put the cheese on the bottom, so I put it on the top. I also did not bother to bake for as long as directed - I halved each baking time and used 4 single tart pans.

Before this home I never really had a garden with flowers. So far through two seasons there has been an abundance of flowers and I have taken an abundance of pictures. I don't know the names of most them (due to my genetic lack of a green thumb). Once I get a better camera I will probably take some better pictures, but for now they will have to suffice.


ease: 3.5/5. You have to bake twice.
prep time: 30mins to blind bake and make filling.
cooking time: 20mins. My four little tarts were cooked in this time.
total: 50mins.

taste: 3.5/5. Not bad, the fresh ingredients on the top make the dish. I also sprinkled some balsamic on it as it was a little dry.

would I make it again: No.

recipe: http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/better-homes-gardens/8619/tomato-feta-and-basil-quiche/