Pork chops with apples, pears & maple syrup

"The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions -- the little soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimal of pleasurable and genial feeling."

Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

I find happiness if I chose to find it.

Days may pass where the pink camellias flowing onto my balcony remain unnoticed, unappreciated. And then one day, I will freeze time, slow my breath, and open my eyes to the world. In that moment my soul is gladdened by the camellia's beauty, their existence acknowledged.

There are many moments in my life where I stop, whether willingly or unexpectedly, and I am suddenly filled with happiness, realisation or love. Whether it is noticing the way the sunlight dances through the burning leaves in Autumn, or catching the moment before my dog begins to yawn, or even perhaps becoming aware of the softness of my husbands lips with an unexpected kiss. I am often so busy with life that I forget to slow down and live, to notice the little things, the big events, and everything that happens in between.

More often than not it is the little things that I value and that matter the most in the end. A small gesture, such as an unexpected compliment from a stranger, can bring happiness not only in the moment, but whenever thought upon.


I feel that the food blogging community is filled with the kindest of strangers, whose compliments on the food you create or recreate, or the photographs or sentences you string along, are always sweet natured and quick to bring forth a beaming smile when read. I am taking this moment to return thanks to all I have not met, and do not know, but who spent time brightening my day with a small comment. Thank you very, very much.

ease: 5/5.
prep time: 5mins.
cooking time: 15mins.
total: 20mins.

taste: 4.5/5. I first made this a week ago, but as it was so late I did not bother to post it. However, my husband loved it so much he requested it again and I made it a week later.
"The juicy pork gives way to tart apple with hints of smooth caramelised sweetness (my husbands words re-worded)."
I made the following adaptations for 1person:

• I used chilli flakes
• 1tbs lemon juice
• 2tbs apple cider
• 1 shallot in place of the onion
• 2tbs maple syrup
• 1/2 pear and 1/2 apple
• 1/2tsp Rosemary
• 1tsp sage (I snip my herbs with scissors straight into the pan)
• I continued to cook the pork with the fruit on the stove top for 10mins instead of placing it in the oven.

would I make it again: Yes - already have.

recipe: http://dragonskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/01/pork-chops-with-apple-pear-and-maple.html

Chocolate macaroon delice

Waste not, want not.

Nothing saddens me more than food spoiling and having to be thrown away. In the beginning my disorganisation led to a lot of waste, which forced me to plan in advance what I would make each week in an effort to avoid buying superfluous produce. This has been effective however certain issues arise such as having leftover egg whites that you did not plan to use.

With bowls of viscous fluid I searched for a recipe that would use them all up without creating other leftovers. This recipe was not planned, and in a way, it was extra special because of its spontaneous creation.


ease: 4.5/5.
prep time: 20mins.
cooking time: 12mins and 1hour refrigeration.
total: 1hour and 32mins.

taste: 4/5. Ryan loved this but for me the chocolate and cream was incredibly overpowering and dehydrating. I could feel my heart accelerating with each bite; I actually only used the ganache to fill and top the delice, as I ended up with more than needed and felt the chocolate icing wasn't necessary. I also used a smaller tray, I would not recommend the size they stipulate as you will end up with very thing layers and too much ganache.

would I make it again: No - too rich and sugary to appreciate the chocolate.

recipe: http://www.cuisine.com.au/recipe/chocolate-macaroon-delice

Chocolate mink

I feel a little bashful beginning with an apology, but I must as the sun outran me today and I was left with nothing but down lights to illuminate my efforts in the kitchen. I have not yet become accustomed to the earlier sunset and find myself chasing shadows.

Dreadful pictures aside, when deciding on a suitable treat to end a meal that would please all I couldn't think past chocolate. Many wedding gifts still lie unused, one of which was white, ceramic ramekins. Two choices made, chocolate and ramekins, I flipped back through old print outs and found chocolate mink. As an avid licker of yet-to-be-cooked chocolate mixes the thought of warm, chocolate lava flowing over my spoon filling my mouth with the raw essences of chocolate made my stomach growl and my mouth drool.


ease: 5/5.
prep time: 10mins.
cooking time: 20mins.
total: 30mins.

taste: 4/5. More like a moist, wet souffle than the thick, unctuous stream of chocolate I was expecting. I used 1/2cup ramekins which makes enough for 4 people. The serving looks small but this dessert packs a punch and leaves you highly satisfied with its intense richness. I served this with double cream, ice cream would be even better.

would I make it again: Perhaps - want to try some lava cake or chocolate fondant recipes to see if I prefer them.

recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chocolate-Mink-232637

Fennel & orange salad

The night would not let me sleep.

For reasons unknown I found myself waking at odd hours; two hour intervals of bizarre dreams led to me lying in bed awake wondering why I was awake, and not dreaming bizarre dreams. Nights like these never lead to productive days as I find myself falling asleep any moment I become too still.

One such moment I was sitting on my couch as I placed down the book I am currently reading, A New Earth, to contemplate what I should do next. The curtains had been pulled apart as far as they would allow and I became entranced by the golden sunlight flickering through the lush green trees as the end of my garden, and then before I knew it, I woke up with a sore neck, 45 minutes lost and my father's arrival looming. Oops.

With broccoli & potato soup sorted I thought some crusty bread, olives and perhaps a light refreshing salad to cleanse the palate before dessert could definitely be achieved before diner time.


Fennel and orange is one of my favourite go to combinations for a tasty, juicy salad with plenty of flavours and dimensions. I wanted to add some pizazz by way of dressing, and the pomegranate one on Chez Us seemed like just the ticket, perhaps next time pomegranate seeds may be the used.

ease: 5/5.
prep time: 5mins to slice.
cooking time: 3mins to toss with dressing.
total: 8mins.

taste: 4/5. Refreshing with sweet aniseed, citrusy orange and tart pomegranate.

would I make it again: Yes.

recipe: http://www.chezus.com/2009/01/17/fennel-and-blood-oranges/

Thought of the week

Broccoli & potato soup with cheese & bacon

Oh Sun, why do you have to rush out on me, taking your light with you like a cape around your shoulders. Apologies for the photos, but I have not yet purchased a flash for moments where my meals arrive past sunset.

For those of us who trudged back to work today, at least we were given glorious weather which goes miles in brightening moods.

Every moment possible I would step outside to just sit and bask in the sun's warmth; after work was done and dusted I grabbed a new book to read whilst I listened to the birds and felt the sunshine in my hair.

Nibbling on gooey, chocolate cupcakes baked and brought over by friends for fun-filled hours of Pictionary, Wii & Peggle my mind strayed to what I should make tonight for dinner. I was left with 1 head of broccoli from an Easter dish I made, as well as a few potatoes that missed out on being mashed. Despite the warm weather I felt like moulding myself to the pillows on my couch, with a nice bowl of soup in my lap whilst I watched episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm with Ryan and Yoshi.

As the sun began to tuck itself in for a good night's sleep, I closed my book, wandered inside, and pulled out a big stock pot to make big bowls of restorative, warm soup.


ease: 4/5.
prep time: 10mins.
cooking time: 40mins.
total: 50mins.

taste: 4/5. I halved everything except the cheese - thick, goopy soup that fills you stomach and warms you up. I pureed the soup as I prefer a smooth, velvety texture. I didn't sprinkle the bacon on mine to make it vegetarian.

would I make it again: Yes.

recipe: http://www.spotsfordates.com/01/2009/updates/broccoli-potato-soup-with-cheese-and-bacon

Chicken with sun-dried tomato cream sauce

Sheer exhaustion and post-Easter fatigue overwhelm me today.

In the aftermath of children's laughter and chocolate covered mouths I am left with battlefield remnants of dirty dishes, pots, benches and rubbish. Fuelled by the pressing need to sit with my legs up on my comfortable couch I powered through the cleaning with some much appreciated help from my husband and although there are still a few loads of laundry waiting patiently to be cleaned, I can rest with my feet up in between turns of the drier and swooshes of the washing machine.

As an Easter treat to my family, my husband, brother and I made a video with my father and uncle's heads plastered to Chippendale bodies - I highly recommend having a play with it as it definitely brings raucous thundering laughter and tears from those who watch it.

My most precious moment yesterday was watching the children hunting for Easter eggs; an event I loved so much as a child I still do it to this day with my husband and my dog. The thrill of finding jewelled eggs in everyday places brings so much joy, especially to wide-eyed children.


My fridge overfloweth with desserts and sweets, only a few of whom will be completely consumed as hard as I may try. With all of the cooking and baking of the past few days I felt dinner should be simple and non-fussy.

ease: 5/5.
prep time: 2mins.
cooking time: 15mins.
total: 17mins.

taste: 4.5/5. My husband was licking his plate and asking if there was anymore - he really loved this dish and even asked me what was in it. I halved everything except the tomatoes to make sauce for 1 person.

would I make it again: Yes - super easy and as hubby said 'it's pretty hot'.

recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-with-Sun-Dried-Tomato-Cream-Sauce-107198

White chocolate tiramisu trifle with spiced pears

Crunch, scuff, flip, crunch, flip, huff.

I watch the scattered hues of crimson, straw and rust crackle beneath my black Puma sole. The sunlight blinks code through the fishing net canopy, causing me to squint and return my gaze to the littered pavement, my dog's padded paws happily rustling through, my husband's thongs flipping remnants of leaves onto his naked toes.

The breeze is pleasantly cool as it licks my neck and playfully tousles my hair, moving on to cause mischief in the tidily raked piles, like a 2 year old child experiencing Autumn for the first time. Too soon we arrive home, the jingle of keys and the sound of squeaking rubber and short nails clicking up the stone stairs brings our dalliance with the Autumn's afternoon to an end.


Easter is always spent with family; cousins, uncles, grandmothers, brothers, in-laws, we all gather at someone's house with super sized amounts of food piled on bags of Easter chocolates stacked in our arms like the leaning tower of Pisa. There are more smiles than cameras and hugs are passed around like Chinese whispers. Easter is one of my favourite times of the year; for the families it brings together, and that is falls in Fall.

Despite the wisdom in making something you have tried and loved before, I always seem to attempt something elaborate and new for family gatherings. This either results in a triumph, or a string of apologies from my lips regarding my poor choice of recipe or my lack of skill (I love to cook but I will be the first to admit it is not something I excel at). With my theme of trying new things for this year, I thought I would attempt my first trifle. As the children tend to stick to their bounty of chocolates I thought something a little more adult would be the perfect treat. As soon as I decided on a trifle there was only one recipe that came to mind, one of the first I ever bookmarked from epicurious.com - and I have waited a long time to try it.


ease: 3/5. Very time consuming and many components, but not technically difficult.
prep time: 45mins to make pears and mousse and 3hours chilling time.
cooking time: 15mins to assemble trifle and make whipped cream topping.
total: 4hours.

taste: 4/5. Others liked this more than I did - they loved the subtly spiced pears the most. The flavours were subtle with an overall sweetness, the pears helped to break it up with their juiciness. I doubled the amount of liquid to soak the lady fingers and they were still dry. This was a little bit of a disaster for me. I could only manage two layers and even then the mousse was on the scant side, as well as the pears (I think my dish may have been too large). The biggest mistake I made was not paying attention when I bought a piping set, it turned out that the piping bag was plastic! I couldn't twist the top and as a result I had cream pouring out from the top, it was a HUGE mess. IF I ever made this again I would poach more pears, use my liquid and double the mousse.

would I make it again: No - too long to make and I wasn't over the moon, nice, but not mind-blowingly awesome.

recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/White-Chocolate-Tiramisu-Trifle-with-Spiced-Pears-240701

Thought of the week

Poached ocean trout, fennel and orange salad with baguette

Each morning, with the dancing of dust on streams of sunlight, we open our bedroom door to the Eiffel Tower.

In my unappreciative and awkward youth I had the privilege of visiting France, well, more like dashing through. But even with the brief scents and flashes of scenery through a bus window, it stuck with me, lingered in my memories, waiting to be refreshed.

My husband on the other hand has not yet stepped foot on French soil, but nevertheless is a Francophile like myself. Throughout our house are French inspired items, such as our ash bistro-eque wooden breakfast table to the man-sized black and white photo on canvas hanging at the end of our hallway. We love french food, french furniture and the french way of living and enjoying each day (my husband also has a penchant for the French accent, how I wish I had one). And although we didn't have time to include France on our blip of a forthcoming honeymoon, a long visit will hopefully come along next year.

In the mean time I shall dream Parisian dreams over croissants at breakfast, and baguettes with dinner.

Un rêve et un rêveur, voilà le terme de la nature et de la pensée.

André SUARÈS, Poète tragique

(A dream and a dreamer, those are the terms for nature and thought. )

ease: 5/5.
prep time: 10mins.cooking time: 10mins.
total: 20mins.

taste: 4/5. I made a few adaptions for dinner for two:

• 2 fennel
• I halved the amounts of wine, verjuice, mint and celery
• I used two ocean trout fillets

This was a light, tasty dinner but I would definitely add more orange juice and mint the next time as I felt myself trying to savour the citrus bursts and the cooling mint alongside the salty fish and aniseed fennel.

would I make it again: Yes.

recipe: http://gourmettraveller.com.aupoached_ocean_trout_fennel_and_orange_salad_with_baguette.htm